title: Open C:\windows\assembly\gac_msil from C#
body: <p>How can I open <code>C:\windows\assembly\gac_msil</code> in a Windows Explorer window using C#?</p>
  
  <p>Explanation: When I deploy an assembly to the GAC in my development environment, I like deploying the .pdb symbol file to the same directory as the assembly located at <code>C:\Windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL\AssemblyName\Version__PublicKeyToken\</code>.  That way if I want to attach the Visual Studio debugger, it automatically finds the symbol file. </p>
  
  <p>I've built a little utility that detects when I add one of my assemblies to the GAC and I want it to show a button that pops open the directory for me. I have the button and the path, but starting a process that launches explorer.exe with the path doesn't work. The only way I know of to open this directory in Windows is through the Run dialog. </p>
  
  <p>You can't get to it within explorer or using the command line command: explorer.exe <code>"C:\Windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL..."</code>. Only if you type the path into the Run dialog. So how do I do what the Run dialog is doing?</p>