In this article I will explain with an example, how to display images that are saved (stored) outside the Website root folder using C# and VB.Net in ASP.Net.
The Images will be read and then displayed in Image control with the help of Generic HTTP Handler in ASP.Net using C# and VB.Net.
 
 
HTML Markup
The following HTML markup consists of:
Image – For displaying the image file.
The ImageUrl property of the Image control has been set with path of the Generic HTTP Handler with FileName in QueryString parameter.
<asp:Image ID="Image1" runat="server" ImageUrl="~/HandlerCS.ashx?FileName=Penguins.jpg" />
 
 
Adding Generic Handler
You will need to add a new Generic Handler (ASHX) file using Add New Item Dialog of Visual Studio as shown below.
Displaying images that are stored outside the Website Root Folder ASP.Net
 
 
The Generic Handler
The following Generic Handler accepts the FileName of the Image file through the QueryString parameter and the file is read from the Folder outside the Root directory and then the Image is converted into BYTE Array.
Finally, the BYTE Array is returned through the response.
C#
<%@ WebHandler Language="C#" Class="Handler" %>
 
using System;
using System.Web;
using System.IO;
 
public class Handler : IHttpHandler
{
    public void ProcessRequest(HttpContext context)
    {
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(context.Request.QueryString["FileName"]))
        {
            string filePath = "D:\\Images\\";
            string fileName = context.Request.QueryString["FileName"];
            string contentType = "image/" + Path.GetExtension(fileName).Replace(".", "");
            using (FileStream fs = new FileStream(filePath + fileName, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read))
            {
                using (BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(fs))
                {
                    // Read the file and convert it to Byte Array.
                    byte[] bytes = br.ReadBytes((Int32)fs.Length);
                    br.Close();
                    fs.Close();
 
                    // Write the file to response Stream.                   
                    context.Response.ContentType = contentType;
                    context.Response.BinaryWrite(bytes);
                    context.Response.End();
                }
            }
        }
    }
 
    public bool IsReusable
    {
        get
        {
            return false;
        }
    }
}
 
VB.Net
<%@ WebHandler Language="VB" Class="Handler" %>
 
Imports System
Imports System.Web
Imports System.IO
 
Public Class Handler : Implements IHttpHandler
    Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest
        If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(context.Request.QueryString("FileName")) Then
            Dim filePath As String = "D:\Images\"
            Dim fileName As String = context.Request.QueryString("FileName")
            Dim contentType As String = "image/" & Path.GetExtension(fileName).Replace(".", "")
            Using fs As FileStream = New FileStream(filePath & fileName, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read)
                Using br As BinaryReader = New BinaryReader(fs)
                    ' Read the file and convert it to Byte Array.
                    Dim bytes As Byte() = br.ReadBytes(Convert.ToInt32(fs.Length))
                    br.Close()
                    fs.Close()
 
                    ' Write the file to response Stream.
                    context.Response.ContentType = contentType
                    context.Response.BinaryWrite(bytes)
                    context.Response.End()
                End Using
            End Using
        End If
    End Sub
 
    Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
        Get
            Return False
        End Get
    End Property
End Class
 
 
Screenshot
Displaying images that are stored outside the Website Root Folder ASP.Net
 
 
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