add the shapefile by using the AddLayer method, something like: CComPtr<IWorkspaceFactory> pWorkspaceFactory; CComPtr<IWorkspace> pWorkspace; nEC = pWorkspaceFactory.CoCreateInstance(CLSID_ShapefileWorkspaceFactory); nEC = pWorkspaceFactory->OpenFromFile(L"<a href="file:C://Temp//USA" target="_blank">C:\\Temp\\USA</a>", NULL,&pWorkspace); nEC = pWorkspace->QueryInterface(IID_IFeatureWorkspace,(LPVOID*)&piFWS); nEC = piFLayer1.CoCreateInstance(CLSID_FeatureLayer); nEC = piFWS->OpenFeatureClass(L"cities.shp",&piOutputFC); nEC = piFLayer1->putref_FeatureClass(piOutputFC); nEC = piOutputFC->get_AliasName(&cbstrFName); nEC = piFLayer1->put_Name(cbstrFName); nEC = piMapControl->AddLayer(piFLayer1,0);