how to access client's local files?

what I need do for an asp.net page is:
1) client select a file, or;
2) client select a folder; Get file (or files in the folder)'s properties, something like name, ext, etc. and save to db.
it will be easy if it is a desktop app. however, in asp.net, how can I do that? do I have to upload all files to server first? is there a way to do this for all files in a folder? any third party control?


thanks, appreciate the help.
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