My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists Method 

Returns a Boolean indicating whether the specified file exists.

' Usage
Dim value As Boolean = My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(file)
' Declaration
Public Function FileExists( _
   ByVal file As String _
) As Boolean

Parameters

• file
  String. Name and path of the file. Required.

Return Value

Returns True if the file exists; otherwise this method returns False.

Exceptions

The following condition may create an exception:

• The name of the file ends with a backslash (\) (ArgumentException).

Remarks

If the application does not have sufficient permissions to read the specified file, the FileExists method returns False, regardless of the existence of the path; the method does not throw an exception.

Tasks

The following table lists an example of a task involving the My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists method.

To	See
Determine if a file exists	How to: Determine if a File Exists in Visual Basic

Example

This example checks to see whether or not the fileCheck.txtexists and supplies the information in a message box.

If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists("c://Check.txt")
   MsgBox("File found.")
Else
   MsgBox("File not found.")
End If

Requirements

Namespace: Microsoft.VisualBasic.MyServices

Class: FileSystemProxy (provides access to FileSystem)

Assembly: Visual Basic Runtime Library (in Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll)

Availability by Project Type

Project type	Available
Windows Application	Yes
Class Library	Yes
Console Application	Yes
Windows Control Library	Yes
Web Control Library	Yes
Windows Service	Yes
Web Site	Yes

Permissions

The following permission may be necessary:

Permission	Description
FileIOPermission	Controls the ability to access files and folders. Associated enumeration: Unrestricted.

For more information, see Code Access Security and Requesting Permissions.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Determine if a Directory Exists in Visual Basic
Walkthrough: Manipulating Files and Directories in Visual Basic

Reference

My.Computer.FileSystem Object
FileExists

Other Resources

Creating, Deleting, and Moving Files and Directories in Visual Basic