>>>
>>>ok, almost got it.
>>>
>>>with thisform.olecontrol1
>>> .filename = 'whatever.exe'
>>> .defaultext = '.exe'
>>> .showopen()
>>>
>>> messagebox(.filename) &&gives me the return
>>>endwith
>>>
>>>However, the .defaultext property doesn't seem to work for me. The "files of type" drop down list in the dialog box is empty. I also tried .defaultext='exe' but got the same results.
>>
>>The filter property is what you're looking for here. Check the doc on that. It allows you to specify both the extension and description that appears.
>
>Thanks, that works. Now back to my original issue. Can I instantiate this control in a .prg (using createobject() or newobject()) and if so, which OCX is the commondialog in so I can reference that file when creating the object? This activeX control doesn't appear in the "ActiveX controls overview" secion in VFP help, which is the only way I know of to determine which OCX an ActiveX class belongs to.

You have to drop it on a form. While you can, in design mode, simply use CREATEOBJECT() and manipulate it programmatically, this will fail in production. It's a licensing issue. Just create a form class, and drop the control on that, then set your class library and issue CREATEOBJECT() for the form class.

As far as installation, as I recall, it's in the list that appears in the setup wizard. The file name is COMDLG32.OCX.