Another good DLL to look at is ADVAPI32.DLL, especially if you need to fiddle with permissions.
If you want a reference book, there are a couple on using the Win32 API with Visual Basic, which also doesn't like the API stuff much (mostly strings).
Comment on Re: Suggestions for a new Perl Win32::API User?
Is the way Perl accesses the Win32::API more similar to
the way C, Visual BASIC, or some other language?
Have any of you read books about the Windows API and
have 1 (or more) that stand out as being superior?