Develop Reference

Move window when external application's window moves

I've got an always on-top application (basically a status display) that I want to follow around another program and always sit just to the left of the minimize button.
I can get the Rect representing the "target" process using the following code which I can then pair with an offset to generate the initial position of my overlay.
Get the HWnd IntPtr:
private IntPtr HWnd = Process.GetProcessesByName("targetapplication")[0].MainWindowHandle;
Declare the function from user32.dll:
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
private static extern bool GetWindowRect(IntPtr hWnd, ref RECT lpRect);
And the appropriate struct:
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
private struct RECT
{
public int Left;
public int Top;
public int Right;
public int Bottom;
}
And then call it on demand.
However, I would like to avoid constantly polling this value, so I would like to hook into the target application and respond whenever the target window is moved.
Looking around the user32.dll documentation, the only way I can see for doing this is using SetWindowsHookEx(). I'm not entirely sure of how I'd go about intercepting an event from here however.
I believe the target application is built off of WinForms but I cannot be sure. So solutions that let me respond to the target's Move event or directly to some Windows Message would both be useful.
Any ideas on how I can proceed?

A method to hook a Windows Form to another process (Notepad, in this case) and follow the movements of the process' Main Window, to create sort of a Toolbar that can interact with the process, using SetWinEventHook().
To get the hooked Window bounds, GetWindowRect() is not recommended. Better call DwmGetWindowAttribute() passing DWMWA_EXTENDED_FRAME_BOUNDS as the DWMWINDOWATTRIBUTE, which still returns a RECT. This because GetWindowRect() is not DpiAware and it may return a virtualized measure in some contexts, plus it includes the Window drop shadow in specific configurations.
Read more about DpiAwarenes, Screen layout and VirtualScreen here:
Using SetWindowPos with multiple monitors
Also refactored the Hook helper class and the NativeMethods declarations.
▶ To move to foreground the Tool Window, as in the animation, when the hooked Window becomes the Foreground Window, also hook the EVENT_SYSTEM_FOREGROUND event: you'll receive a notification when the Foreground Window changes, then compare with the handle of Window you're hooking.
A visual representation of the results:
The Form class initialization procedure:
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
private IntPtr notepadhWnd;
private IntPtr hWinEventHook;
private Process targetProc = null;
protected Hook.WinEventDelegate WinEventDelegate;
static GCHandle GCSafetyHandle;
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
WinEventDelegate = new Hook.WinEventDelegate(WinEventCallback);
GCSafetyHandle = GCHandle.Alloc(WinEventDelegate);
targetProc = Process.GetProcessesByName("notepad").FirstOrDefault(p => p != null);
try {
if (targetProc != null) {
notepadhWnd = targetProc.MainWindowHandle;
if (notepadhWnd != IntPtr.Zero) {
uint targetThreadId = Hook.GetWindowThread(notepadhWnd);
hWinEventHook = Hook.WinEventHookOne(
NativeMethods.SWEH_Events.EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE,
WinEventDelegate, (uint)targetProc.Id, targetThreadId);
var rect = Hook.GetWindowRectangle(notepadhWnd);
// Of course, set the Form.StartPosition to Manual
Location = new Point(rect.Right, rect.Top);
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex) {
// Log and message or
throw;
}
}
protected void WinEventCallback(
IntPtr hWinEventHook,
NativeMethods.SWEH_Events eventType,
IntPtr hWnd,
NativeMethods.SWEH_ObjectId idObject,
long idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime)
{
if (hWnd == notepadhWnd &&
eventType == NativeMethods.SWEH_Events.EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE &&
idObject == (NativeMethods.SWEH_ObjectId)NativeMethods.SWEH_CHILDID_SELF)
{
var rect = Hook.GetWindowRectangle(hWnd);
Location = new Point(rect.Right, rect.Top);
}
}
protected override void OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
{
base.OnFormClosing(e);
if (!e.Cancel) {
if (GCSafetyHandle.IsAllocated) GCSafetyHandle.Free();
Hook.WinEventUnhook(hWinEventHook);
}
}
protected override void OnShown(EventArgs e)
{
if (targetProc == null) {
this.Hide();
MessageBox.Show("Notepad not found!", "Target Missing", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Hand);
this.Close();
}
else {
Size = new Size(50, 140);
targetProc.Dispose();
}
base.OnShown(e);
}
The support classes used to reference the Windows API methods:
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Security.Permissions;
public class Hook
{
public delegate void WinEventDelegate(
IntPtr hWinEventHook,
NativeMethods.SWEH_Events eventType,
IntPtr hwnd,
NativeMethods.SWEH_ObjectId idObject,
long idChild,
uint dwEventThread,
uint dwmsEventTime
);
public static IntPtr WinEventHookRange(
NativeMethods.SWEH_Events eventFrom, NativeMethods.SWEH_Events eventTo,
WinEventDelegate eventDelegate,
uint idProcess, uint idThread)
{
return NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(
eventFrom, eventTo,
IntPtr.Zero, eventDelegate,
idProcess, idThread,
NativeMethods.WinEventHookInternalFlags);
}
public static IntPtr WinEventHookOne(
NativeMethods.SWEH_Events eventId,
WinEventDelegate eventDelegate,
uint idProcess,
uint idThread)
{
return NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(
eventId, eventId,
IntPtr.Zero, eventDelegate,
idProcess, idThread,
NativeMethods.WinEventHookInternalFlags);
}
public static bool WinEventUnhook(IntPtr hWinEventHook) =>
NativeMethods.UnhookWinEvent(hWinEventHook);
public static uint GetWindowThread(IntPtr hWnd)
{
return NativeMethods.GetWindowThreadProcessId(hWnd, IntPtr.Zero);
}
public static NativeMethods.RECT GetWindowRectangle(IntPtr hWnd)
{
NativeMethods.DwmGetWindowAttribute(hWnd,
NativeMethods.DWMWINDOWATTRIBUTE.DWMWA_EXTENDED_FRAME_BOUNDS,
out NativeMethods.RECT rect, Marshal.SizeOf<NativeMethods.RECT>());
return rect;
}
}
public static class NativeMethods
{
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct RECT
{
public int Left;
public int Top;
public int Right;
public int Bottom;
public Rectangle ToRectangle() => Rectangle.FromLTRB(Left, Top, Right, Bottom);
}
public static long SWEH_CHILDID_SELF = 0;
//SetWinEventHook() flags
public enum SWEH_dwFlags : uint
{
WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT = 0x0000, // Events are ASYNC
WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD = 0x0001, // Don't call back for events on installer's thread
WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS = 0x0002, // Don't call back for events on installer's process
WINEVENT_INCONTEXT = 0x0004 // Events are SYNC, this causes your dll to be injected into every process
}
//SetWinEventHook() events
public enum SWEH_Events : uint
{
EVENT_MIN = 0x00000001,
EVENT_MAX = 0x7FFFFFFF,
EVENT_SYSTEM_SOUND = 0x0001,
EVENT_SYSTEM_ALERT = 0x0002,
EVENT_SYSTEM_FOREGROUND = 0x0003,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MENUSTART = 0x0004,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MENUEND = 0x0005,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MENUPOPUPSTART = 0x0006,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MENUPOPUPEND = 0x0007,
EVENT_SYSTEM_CAPTURESTART = 0x0008,
EVENT_SYSTEM_CAPTUREEND = 0x0009,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART = 0x000A,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND = 0x000B,
EVENT_SYSTEM_CONTEXTHELPSTART = 0x000C,
EVENT_SYSTEM_CONTEXTHELPEND = 0x000D,
EVENT_SYSTEM_DRAGDROPSTART = 0x000E,
EVENT_SYSTEM_DRAGDROPEND = 0x000F,
EVENT_SYSTEM_DIALOGSTART = 0x0010,
EVENT_SYSTEM_DIALOGEND = 0x0011,
EVENT_SYSTEM_SCROLLINGSTART = 0x0012,
EVENT_SYSTEM_SCROLLINGEND = 0x0013,
EVENT_SYSTEM_SWITCHSTART = 0x0014,
EVENT_SYSTEM_SWITCHEND = 0x0015,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MINIMIZESTART = 0x0016,
EVENT_SYSTEM_MINIMIZEEND = 0x0017,
EVENT_SYSTEM_DESKTOPSWITCH = 0x0020,
EVENT_SYSTEM_END = 0x00FF,
EVENT_OEM_DEFINED_START = 0x0101,
EVENT_OEM_DEFINED_END = 0x01FF,
EVENT_UIA_EVENTID_START = 0x4E00,
EVENT_UIA_EVENTID_END = 0x4EFF,
EVENT_UIA_PROPID_START = 0x7500,
EVENT_UIA_PROPID_END = 0x75FF,
EVENT_CONSOLE_CARET = 0x4001,
EVENT_CONSOLE_UPDATE_REGION = 0x4002,
EVENT_CONSOLE_UPDATE_SIMPLE = 0x4003,
EVENT_CONSOLE_UPDATE_SCROLL = 0x4004,
EVENT_CONSOLE_LAYOUT = 0x4005,
EVENT_CONSOLE_START_APPLICATION = 0x4006,
EVENT_CONSOLE_END_APPLICATION = 0x4007,
EVENT_CONSOLE_END = 0x40FF,
EVENT_OBJECT_CREATE = 0x8000, // hwnd ID idChild is created item
EVENT_OBJECT_DESTROY = 0x8001, // hwnd ID idChild is destroyed item
EVENT_OBJECT_SHOW = 0x8002, // hwnd ID idChild is shown item
EVENT_OBJECT_HIDE = 0x8003, // hwnd ID idChild is hidden item
EVENT_OBJECT_REORDER = 0x8004, // hwnd ID idChild is parent of zordering children
EVENT_OBJECT_FOCUS = 0x8005, // hwnd ID idChild is focused item
EVENT_OBJECT_SELECTION = 0x8006, // hwnd ID idChild is selected item (if only one), or idChild is OBJID_WINDOW if complex
EVENT_OBJECT_SELECTIONADD = 0x8007, // hwnd ID idChild is item added
EVENT_OBJECT_SELECTIONREMOVE = 0x8008, // hwnd ID idChild is item removed
EVENT_OBJECT_SELECTIONWITHIN = 0x8009, // hwnd ID idChild is parent of changed selected items
EVENT_OBJECT_STATECHANGE = 0x800A, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ state change
EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE = 0x800B, // hwnd ID idChild is moved/sized item
EVENT_OBJECT_NAMECHANGE = 0x800C, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ name change
EVENT_OBJECT_DESCRIPTIONCHANGE = 0x800D, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ desc change
EVENT_OBJECT_VALUECHANGE = 0x800E, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ value change
EVENT_OBJECT_PARENTCHANGE = 0x800F, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ new parent
EVENT_OBJECT_HELPCHANGE = 0x8010, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ help change
EVENT_OBJECT_DEFACTIONCHANGE = 0x8011, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ def action change
EVENT_OBJECT_ACCELERATORCHANGE = 0x8012, // hwnd ID idChild is item w/ keybd accel change
EVENT_OBJECT_INVOKED = 0x8013, // hwnd ID idChild is item invoked
EVENT_OBJECT_TEXTSELECTIONCHANGED = 0x8014, // hwnd ID idChild is item w? test selection change
EVENT_OBJECT_CONTENTSCROLLED = 0x8015,
EVENT_SYSTEM_ARRANGMENTPREVIEW = 0x8016,
EVENT_OBJECT_END = 0x80FF,
EVENT_AIA_START = 0xA000,
EVENT_AIA_END = 0xAFFF
}
//SetWinEventHook() Object Ids
public enum SWEH_ObjectId : long
{
OBJID_WINDOW = 0x00000000,
OBJID_SYSMENU = 0xFFFFFFFF,
OBJID_TITLEBAR = 0xFFFFFFFE,
OBJID_MENU = 0xFFFFFFFD,
OBJID_CLIENT = 0xFFFFFFFC,
OBJID_VSCROLL = 0xFFFFFFFB,
OBJID_HSCROLL = 0xFFFFFFFA,
OBJID_SIZEGRIP = 0xFFFFFFF9,
OBJID_CARET = 0xFFFFFFF8,
OBJID_CURSOR = 0xFFFFFFF7,
OBJID_ALERT = 0xFFFFFFF6,
OBJID_SOUND = 0xFFFFFFF5,
OBJID_QUERYCLASSNAMEIDX = 0xFFFFFFF4,
OBJID_NATIVEOM = 0xFFFFFFF0
}
public enum DWMWINDOWATTRIBUTE : uint
{
DWMWA_NCRENDERING_ENABLED = 1, // [get] Is non-client rendering enabled/disabled
DWMWA_NCRENDERING_POLICY, // [set] DWMNCRENDERINGPOLICY - Non-client rendering policy - Enable or disable non-client rendering
DWMWA_TRANSITIONS_FORCEDISABLED, // [set] Potentially enable/forcibly disable transitions
DWMWA_ALLOW_NCPAINT, // [set] Allow contents rendered In the non-client area To be visible On the DWM-drawn frame.
DWMWA_CAPTION_BUTTON_BOUNDS, // [get] Bounds Of the caption button area In window-relative space.
DWMWA_NONCLIENT_RTL_LAYOUT, // [set] Is non-client content RTL mirrored
DWMWA_FORCE_ICONIC_REPRESENTATION, // [set] Force this window To display iconic thumbnails.
DWMWA_FLIP3D_POLICY, // [set] Designates how Flip3D will treat the window.
DWMWA_EXTENDED_FRAME_BOUNDS, // [get] Gets the extended frame bounds rectangle In screen space
DWMWA_HAS_ICONIC_BITMAP, // [set] Indicates an available bitmap When there Is no better thumbnail representation.
DWMWA_DISALLOW_PEEK, // [set] Don't invoke Peek on the window.
DWMWA_EXCLUDED_FROM_PEEK, // [set] LivePreview exclusion information
DWMWA_CLOAK, // [set] Cloak Or uncloak the window
DWMWA_CLOAKED, // [get] Gets the cloaked state Of the window. Returns a DWMCLOACKEDREASON object
DWMWA_FREEZE_REPRESENTATION, // [set] BOOL, Force this window To freeze the thumbnail without live update
PlaceHolder1,
PlaceHolder2,
PlaceHolder3,
DWMWA_ACCENTPOLICY = 19
}
public static SWEH_dwFlags WinEventHookInternalFlags =
SWEH_dwFlags.WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT |
SWEH_dwFlags.WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS |
SWEH_dwFlags.WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD;
[DllImport("dwmapi.dll", SetLastError = true)]
internal static extern int DwmGetWindowAttribute(IntPtr hwnd, DWMWINDOWATTRIBUTE dwAttribute, out RECT pvAttribute, int cbAttribute);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
internal static extern uint GetWindowThreadProcessId(IntPtr hWnd, out uint lpdwProcessId);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
internal static extern uint GetWindowThreadProcessId(IntPtr hWnd, IntPtr voidProcessId);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = false)]
internal static extern IntPtr SetWinEventHook(
SWEH_Events eventMin,
SWEH_Events eventMax,
IntPtr hmodWinEventProc,
Hook.WinEventDelegate lpfnWinEventProc,
uint idProcess, uint idThread,
SWEH_dwFlags dwFlags);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = false)]
internal static extern bool UnhookWinEvent(IntPtr hWinEventHook);
}

Thanks to #Jimi for his help here. The following method worked.
First, store a reference to the target process:
Process _target = Process.GetProcessesByName("target")[0];
Then get the handle to the main window:
IntPtr _tagetHWnd = _target.MainWindowHandle;
Then initialise the hook:
SetWinEventHook(EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, IntPtr.Zero, TargetMoved, (uint)_foxview.Id,
GetWindowThreadProcessId(_foxview.MainWindowHandle, IntPtr.Zero), WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT | WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS | WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD);
Where SetWinEventHook is declared as such:
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private static extern IntPtr SetWinEventHook(uint eventMin, uint eventMax, IntPtr hmodWinEventProc, WinEventDelegate lpfnWinEventProc, uint idProcess, uint idThread, uint dwFlags);
And the constants involved are:
private const uint EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE = 0x800B;
private const int HT_CAPTION = 0x2;
private const uint WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT = 0x0000;
private const uint WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS = 0x0002;
private const uint WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD = 0x0001;
private const int WM_NCLBUTTONDOWN = 0xA1;
Then in my TargetMoved method I get check the new Window location and move my overlay.
private void TargetMoved(IntPtr hWinEventHook, uint eventType, IntPtr lParam, int idObject, int idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime)
{
Rect newLocation = new Rect();
GetWindowRect(_foxViewHWnd, ref newLocation);
Location = new Point(newLocation.Right - (250 + _currentUser.Length * 7), newLocation.Top + 5);
}
Where GetWindowRect() is defined by:
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
private static extern bool GetWindowRect(IntPtr hWnd, ref Rect lpRect);
And Rect is defined by:
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
private struct Rect
{
public readonly int Left;
public readonly int Top;
public readonly int Right;
public readonly int Bottom;
}
So when you put it all together, the entire class now looks like this:
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using UserMonitor;
namespace OnScreenOverlay
{
public partial class Overlay : Form
{
#region Public Fields
public const string UserCache = #"redacted";
#endregion Public Fields
#region Private Fields
private const uint EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE = 0x800B;
private const uint WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT = 0x0000;
private const uint WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS = 0x0002;
private const uint WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD = 0x0001;
private readonly Process _foxview;
private readonly IntPtr _foxViewHWnd;
private readonly UserMon _monitor;
private string _currentUser;
#endregion Private Fields
#region Public Constructors
public Overlay()
{
InitializeComponent();
_target= Process.GetProcessesByName("target")[0];
if (_foxview == null)
{
MessageBox.Show("No target detected... Closing");
Close();
}
_targetHWnd = _target.MainWindowHandle;
InitializeWinHook();
StartPosition = FormStartPosition.Manual;
Location = new Point(Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Left + 20, Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Bottom - 20);
ShowInTaskbar = false;
_monitor = new UserMon(UserCache);
_monitor.UserChanged += (s, a) =>
{
_currentUser = a.Value;
if (pictBox.InvokeRequired)
{
pictBox.Invoke((MethodInvoker)delegate { pictBox.Refresh(); });
}
};
_currentUser = _monitor.GetUser();
}
#endregion Public Constructors
#region Private Delegates
private delegate void WinEventDelegate(IntPtr hWinEventHook, uint eventType,
IntPtr hwnd, int idObject, int idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime);
#endregion Private Delegates
#region Private Methods
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
private static extern bool GetWindowRect(IntPtr hWnd, ref Rect lpRect);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
private static extern uint GetWindowThreadProcessId(IntPtr hWnd, IntPtr processId);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private static extern IntPtr SetWinEventHook(uint eventMin, uint eventMax, IntPtr
hmodWinEventProc, WinEventDelegate lpfnWinEventProc, uint idProcess,
uint idThread, uint dwFlags);
private void InitializeWinHook()
{
SetWinEventHook(EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, IntPtr.Zero, TargetMoved, (uint)_foxview.Id,
GetWindowThreadProcessId(_foxview.MainWindowHandle, IntPtr.Zero), WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT | WINEVENT_SKIPOWNPROCESS | WINEVENT_SKIPOWNTHREAD);
}
private void Overlay_FormClosing(object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
{
_monitor.Dispose();
}
private void pictBox_Paint(object sender, PaintEventArgs e)
{
using (Font myFont = new Font("Arial", 8))
{
e.Graphics.DrawString($"User: {_currentUser}", myFont, Brushes.LimeGreen, new Point(2, 2));
}
}
private void TargetMoved(IntPtr hWinEventHook, uint eventType, IntPtr lParam, int idObject, int idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime)
{
Rect newLocation = new Rect();
GetWindowRect(_foxViewHWnd, ref newLocation);
Location = new Point(newLocation.Right - (250 + _currentUser.Length * 7), newLocation.Top + 5);
}
#endregion Private Methods
#region Private Structs
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
private struct Rect
{
public readonly int Left;
public readonly int Top;
public readonly int Right;
public readonly int Bottom;
}
#endregion Private Structs
}
}

How to stick my form to a window of a thirdparty application?

I'm trying to stick my form to a window of another application (let's say Microsoft Outlook). When I move the Outlook window, my form should still stick at the right-hand side of it.
At the moment, I'm monitoring Outlook's position in a while(true) loop (with a sleep()) and adjusting my form's position to it.
Here are two problems:
If the sleep() duration is too short, it takes much performance to check Outlook's position and to adjust my form that often.
If the sleep() duration is too long, my form is too slow in adjusting to Outlook (it lags).
Isn't there a native solution for this?

you have to get a hook on the process and listen to event
this should give you a good starting point
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace WindowsFormsApplication1
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
private const uint WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT = 0x0000;
private const uint EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE = 0x800B;
private const uint EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART = 0x000A;
private const uint EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND = 0x000B;
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
this.Width = 100;
this.Height = 100;
this.TopMost = true;
int processId = Process.GetProcessesByName("OUTLOOK")[0].Id;
//this will also be triggered by mouse moving over the process windows
//NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, IntPtr.Zero, WinEventProc, (uint)processId, (uint)0, WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT);
NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART, EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND, IntPtr.Zero, WinEventProc, (uint)processId, (uint)0, WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT);
}
private void WinEventProc(IntPtr hWinEventHook, uint eventType, IntPtr hwnd, int idObject, int idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime)
{
Rect move = new Rect();
if (eventType == EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART)
{
NativeMethods.GetWindowRect(hwnd, ref move);
Debug.WriteLine("EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART");
}
else if (eventType == EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND)
{
NativeMethods.GetWindowRect(hwnd, ref move);
Debug.WriteLine("EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND");
}
this.Left = move.Left;
this.Top = move.Top;
}
}
public struct Rect
{
public int Left { get; set; }
public int Top { get; set; }
public int Right { get; set; }
public int Bottom { get; set; }
}
static class NativeMethods
{
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern IntPtr SetWinEventHook(uint eventMin, uint eventMax, IntPtr hmodWinEventProc, WinEventDelegate lpfnWinEventProc, uint idProcess, uint idThread, uint dwFlags);
public delegate void WinEventDelegate(IntPtr hWinEventHook, uint eventType, IntPtr hwnd, int idObject, int idChild, uint dwEventThread, uint dwmsEventTime);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern bool GetWindowRect(IntPtr hwnd, ref Rect rectangle);
}
}

You could use any of the windows hook functions WH_GETMESSAGE, WH_GETMESSAGERET, WH_SYSMSGFILTER or WH_MSGFILTER.
In this case you would be interested in WM_MOVE and WM_MOVING, where WM_MOVE is sent after the window is moved (aka, done moving), and WM_MOVING is sent while the window is moved (and so you will get alot of those).
Start here with reading:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms644959(v=vs.85).aspx

The answer from Fredou was allmost the answer.
I used it in my application, but got an exception "callbackoncollecteddelegate".
To make it work its neccessary to attach the WinEventProc on a property.
...
private NativeMethods.WinEventDelegate winEventProc;
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
this.Width = 100;
this.Height = 100;
this.TopMost = true;
int processId = Process.GetProcessesByName("OUTLOOK")[0].Id;
//this will also be triggered by mouse moving over the process windows
//NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE, IntPtr.Zero, WinEventProc, (uint)processId, (uint)0, WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT);
this.winEventProc = new NativeMethods.WinEventDelegate(WinEventProc);
NativeMethods.SetWinEventHook(EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZESTART, EVENT_SYSTEM_MOVESIZEEND, IntPtr.Zero, this.winEventProc, (uint)processId, (uint)0, WINEVENT_OUTOFCONTEXT);
}
...
See CallbackOnCollectedDelegate at Application.Run(new Form1())

How to make an application running in a wpf window ignore clicks or mouse events

Currently I am trying to run an unreal 4 application in a wpf window. However I only want the users to see the window not click it or use it. I have tried all sorts of workarounds for this but none seem to actually work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Below is the code I'm using to run application in wpf window.
[DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint="GetWindowThreadProcessId", SetLastError=true,
CharSet=CharSet.Unicode, ExactSpelling=true,
CallingConvention=CallingConvention.StdCall)]
private static extern long GetWindowThreadProcessId(long hWnd, long lpdwProcessId);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
private static extern IntPtr FindWindow (string lpClassName, string lpWindowName);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
private static extern long SetParent (IntPtr hWndChild, IntPtr hWndNewParent);
[DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint="GetWindowLongA", SetLastError=true)]
private static extern long GetWindowLong (IntPtr hwnd, int nIndex);
[DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint="SetWindowLongA", SetLastError=true)]
public static extern int SetWindowLongA([System.Runtime.InteropServices.InAttribute()] System.IntPtr hWnd, int nIndex, int dwNewLong);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
private static extern long SetWindowPos(IntPtr hwnd, long hWndInsertAfter, long x, long y, long cx, long cy, long wFlags);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError=true)]
private static extern bool MoveWindow(IntPtr hwnd, int x, int y, int cx, int cy, bool repaint);
private const int SWP_NOOWNERZORDER = 0x200;
private const int SWP_NOREDRAW = 0x8;
private const int SWP_NOZORDER = 0x4;
private const int SWP_SHOWWINDOW = 0x0040;
private const int WS_EX_MDICHILD = 0x40;
private const int SWP_FRAMECHANGED = 0x20;
private const int SWP_NOACTIVATE = 0x10;
private const int SWP_ASYNCWINDOWPOS = 0x4000;
private const int SWP_NOMOVE = 0x2;
private const int SWP_NOSIZE = 0x1;
private const int GWL_STYLE = (-16);
private const int WS_VISIBLE = 0x10000000;
private const int WS_CHILD = 0x40000000;
/// <summary>
/// Force redraw of control when size changes
/// </summary>
/// <param name="e">Not used</param>
protected void OnSizeChanged(object s, SizeChangedEventArgs e)
{
this.InvalidateVisual();
this.Width = WpfUserAppControl.Width = 200;
this.Height = WpfUserAppControl.Height = 200;
//Application.Current.MainWindow.Width = Window.GetWindow(this.AppContainer).Width;
MoveWindow(_appWin, 100, 100, (int)WpfUserAppControl.Height, (int)WpfUserAppControl.Width, true);
}
/// <summary>
/// Create control when visibility changes
/// </summary>
/// <param name="e">Not used</param>
protected void OnVisibleChanged(object s, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
// If control needs to be initialized/created
if (_iscreated == false)
{
// Mark that control is created
_iscreated = true;
// Initialize handle value to invalid
_appWin = IntPtr.Zero;
try
{
var procInfo = new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(this.exeName);
procInfo.WorkingDirectory = System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(this.exeName);
_childp = System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(procInfo);
_childp.WaitForInputIdle();
while (_childp.MainWindowHandle == IntPtr.Zero)
{
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(10);
}
_appWin = _childp.MainWindowHandle;
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Debug.Print(ex.Message + "Error");
}
// Put it into this form
var helper = new WindowInteropHelper(Window.GetWindow(this.AppContainer));
SetParent(_appWin, helper.Handle);
AppControl.
// Remove border and whatnot
SetWindowLongA(_appWin, GWL_STYLE, WS_VISIBLE);
// Move the window to overlay it on this window
MoveWindow(_appWin, 100, 100, (int)WpfUserAppControl.Height, (int)WpfUserAppControl.Width, true);
_childp.Exited += _childp_Exited;
SetWindowPos(_appWin, -2, 0, 0, 0, 0, SWP_NOMOVE | SWP_NOACTIVATE);
}
}

Best solution I have found for this so far is to run another window application after unreal is loaded that is transparent.

Use IsHitTestVisible property from UIElement base object. Set False value to Window.IsHitTestVisible.
IsHitTestVisible = "False"
I hope it helps.

Is it possible to capture KeyDown-events and to cancel this Event afterwards in C#?

I want to translate the Latin keyboard to another Keyboard like uyghur or something like. There is an uyghur keyboard, but the coding of keys are so complex that a normal PC User can't type uighur easily.
So my aim is that to create a software solution for this Problem, such as Chinese Input Systems. in that system you can input Chinese Characters from every kind of Keyboard. that is a kind of clever solution so that everyone can use it problem-less.
So my aim is that I want to write a Windows Service Application, which captures every KeyDown-Strike (only Alphabets) and translates the pressed Key to destination (Unicode) Alphabet and simulates again a Key strike with this translated Alphabet. As result the aimed Alphabet will be showed in the cursor-point. In the End my App discards/Stops the original key from the KEYDOWN pressing,
So that it will not be showed any more.
For example:
Press K.
Capturing the K and Translate it to Unicode like 0xFEBD then send back to cursor point.
Cancel or Discard the key down event of the K. This character should not be seen at the cursor point.
Until now the Step 1 and 2 works fine. My problem is that I can't discard/cancel/stop the last key down event for this key strike, after I capture the key down event.
I am not sure if my idea good/effective enough to realize what I am thinking. Now I am trying only. may be you have a better idea that you can suggest me. here is my code for that:
public class Simulate
{
[DllImport("USER32.DLL", CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]
static extern UInt32 SendInput(UInt32 numberOfInputs, INPUT[] input, Int32 sizeOfInputStructure);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, Size = 24)]
struct KEYBDINPUT
{
public UInt16 Vk;
public UInt16 Scan;
public UInt32 Flags;
public UInt32 Time;
public UInt32 ExtraInfo;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Explicit)]
private struct INPUT
{
[FieldOffset(0)]
public int Type;
[FieldOffset(4)]
public KEYBDINPUT ki;
}
public static void UnicodeInput(UInt16 unicode)
{
INPUT down = new INPUT();
down.Type = 1; //INPUT_KEYBOARD
down.ki.Vk = 0;
down.ki.Scan = unicode;
down.ki.Time = 0;
down.ki.Flags = 0x0004; //KEYEVENTF_UNICODE
down.ki.ExtraInfo = 0;
INPUT up = new INPUT();
up.Type = 1; //INPUT_KEYBOARD
up.ki.Vk = 0;
up.ki.Scan = unicode;
up.ki.Time = 0;
up.ki.Flags = 0x0004; //KEYEVENTF_UNICODE
up.ki.ExtraInfo = 0;
INPUT[] input = new INPUT[2];
input[0] = down;
input[1] = up;
SendInput(1, input, Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(INPUT)));
}
}
/// Capture any window key
///
public static class WinKeyCapture
{
private const int WH_KEYBOARD_LL = 13;
private const int WH_CALLWNDPROC = 4;
private const int WM_KEYDOWN = 0x0100;
private const int WM_CHAR = 0x0102;
const int VK_A = 0x08;// 0x41; //up key
const int VK_DOWN = 0x28; //down key
const int VK_LEFT = 0x25;
const int VK_RIGHT = 0x27;
const uint KEYEVENTF_KEYUP = 0x0002;
const uint KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY = 0x0001;
const uint KEYEVENTF_CTRL = 0x11;
const uint KEYEVENTF_ADD = 0x6B;
const uint VK_LWIN = 0x5b;
private static LowLevelKeyboardProc _proc = WinKeyCapture.HookCallback;
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern void keybd_event(byte bVk, byte bScan, uint dwFlags, uint dwExtraInfo);
[DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
private static extern IntPtr SetWindowsHookEx(int idHook,
LowLevelKeyboardProc lpfn, IntPtr hMod, uint dwThreadId);
[DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
private static extern bool UnhookWindowsHookEx(IntPtr hhk);
[DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
private static extern IntPtr CallNextHookEx(IntPtr hhk, int nCode,
IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
[DllImport("kernel32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
private static extern IntPtr GetModuleHandle(string lpModuleName);
[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
private static extern uint SendInput(uint numberOfInputs, INPUT[] inputs, int sizeOfInputStructure);
public static void SetHook()
{
SetHook(_proc);
}
public static void UnHook()
{
UnhookWindowsHookEx(_hookID);
}
private static IntPtr SetHook(LowLevelKeyboardProc proc)
{
using (Process curProcess = Process.GetCurrentProcess())
using (ProcessModule curModule = curProcess.MainModule)
{
return SetWindowsHookEx(WH_KEYBOARD_LL, proc, GetModuleHandle(curModule.ModuleName), 0);
}
}
private static IntPtr _hookID = IntPtr.Zero;
public static IntPtr HookCallback(int nCode, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam)
{
int vkCode = Marshal.ReadInt32(lParam);
if (nCode >= 0 && wParam == (IntPtr)WM_KEYDOWN)
{
// TODO: identify only Alphabets then fire
VKcode(vkCode);
}
//wParam |= 0x4000;
return CallNextHookEx(_hookID, nCode, wParam, lParam);
}
private static void VKcode(int code)
{
switch (code) // TODO: Complete all other Alphabet-Tranylations
{
case 0x4B:
Simulate.UnicodeInput(0xFEDB);
break;
case 0x54:
Simulate.UnicodeInput(0xFEAD);
break;
case 0x55:
Simulate.UnicodeInput(0xFBE7);
break;
case 0x56:
Simulate.UnicodeInput(0xFEE9);
break;
case 0x59:
Simulate.UnicodeInput(0xFEE1);
break;
case 0x5a:
break;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// simulate key press
/// </summary>
/// <param name="keyCode"></param>
public static void SendKeyPress(KeyCode keyCode)
{
INPUT input = new INPUT {
Type = 1
};
input.Data.Keyboard = new KEYBDINPUT() {
Vk = (ushort)keyCode,
Scan = 0,
Flags = 0,
Time = 0,
ExtraInfo = IntPtr.Zero,
};
INPUT input2 = new INPUT {
Type = 1
};
input2.Data.Keyboard = new KEYBDINPUT() {
Vk = (ushort)keyCode,
Scan = 0,
Flags = 2,
Time = 0,
ExtraInfo = IntPtr.Zero
};
INPUT[] inputs = new INPUT[] { input, input2 };
if (SendInput(2, inputs, Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(INPUT))) == 0)
throw new Exception();
}
/// <summary>
/// simulate key press
/// </summary>
/// <param name="keyCode"></param>
public static void SendUnicodePress(KeyCode keyCode)
{
INPUT input = new INPUT {
Type = 1
};
input.Data.Keyboard = new KEYBDINPUT() {
Vk = (ushort)keyCode,
Scan = 0,
Flags = 0,
Time = 0,
ExtraInfo = IntPtr.Zero,
};
INPUT input2 = new INPUT {
Type = 1
};
input2.Data.Keyboard = new KEYBDINPUT() {
Vk = (ushort)keyCode,
Scan = 0,
Flags = 2,
Time = 0,
ExtraInfo = IntPtr.Zero
};
INPUT[] inputs = new INPUT[] { input, input2 };
if (SendInput(2, inputs, Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(INPUT))) == 0)
throw new Exception();
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
internal struct INPUT
{
public uint Type;
public MOUSEKEYBDHARDWAREINPUT Data;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Explicit)]
internal struct MOUSEKEYBDHARDWAREINPUT
{
[FieldOffset(0)]
public HARDWAREINPUT Hardware;
[FieldOffset(0)]
public KEYBDINPUT Keyboard;
[FieldOffset(0)]
public MOUSEINPUT Mouse;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
internal struct HARDWAREINPUT
{
public uint Msg;
public ushort ParamL;
public ushort ParamH;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
internal struct KEYBDINPUT
{
public ushort Vk;
public ushort Scan;
public uint Flags;
public uint Time;
public IntPtr ExtraInfo;
}
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
internal struct MOUSEINPUT
{
public int X;
public int Y;
public uint MouseData;
public uint Flags;
public uint Time;
public IntPtr ExtraInfo;
}
}

Adding a custom context menu item to Windows Form title bar

I found a thread on MSDN that shows how to add an item to the context menu of a Windows Forms title bar.
Unfortunately it does not show how to register an event with the custom menu item and I have been unable to figure out how to do it. Below is a sample application that can be copied and pasted into a new Windows Forms application. How can I complete the sample?
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace WindowsFormsApplication1
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
IntPtr hMenu = GetSystemMenu(Handle, false);
if (hMenu != IntPtr.Zero)
{
var menuInfo = new MENUITEMINFO
{
cbSize = (uint) Marshal.SizeOf(typeof (MENUITEMINFO)),
cch = 255,
dwTypeData = "Test Item",
fMask = 0x1 | 0x2 | 0x10,
fState = 0,
fType = 0x0
};
InsertMenuItem(hMenu, 0, true, ref menuInfo);
DrawMenuBar(Handle);
}
}
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern IntPtr GetSystemMenu(IntPtr hWnd, bool bRevert);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern bool DrawMenuBar(IntPtr hWnd);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern bool InsertMenuItem(IntPtr hMenu, uint uItem,
bool fByPosition, [In] ref MENUITEMINFO lpmii);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct MENUITEMINFO
{
public uint cbSize;
public uint fMask;
public uint fType;
public uint fState;
public uint wID;
public IntPtr hSubMenu;
public IntPtr hbmpChecked;
public IntPtr hbmpUnchecked;
public IntPtr dwItemData;
public string dwTypeData;
public uint cch;
public IntPtr hbmpItem;
}
}
}

You must override the WndProc method and intercept the id of your new menu.
Try this:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
namespace WindowsFormsApplication11
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
public const Int32 WM_SYSCOMMAND = 0x112;
public const Int32 MF_BYPOSITION = 0x400;
public const Int32 MYMENU1 = 1000;
public const Int32 MUMENU2 = 1001;
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private static extern IntPtr GetSystemMenu(IntPtr hWnd, bool bRevert);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
private static extern bool InsertMenu(IntPtr hMenu, Int32 wPosition, Int32 wFlags, Int32 wIDNewItem, string lpNewItem);
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
protected override void WndProc(ref Message msg)
{
if (msg.Msg == WM_SYSCOMMAND)
{
switch (msg.WParam.ToInt32())
{
case MYMENU1:
MessageBox.Show("Hi from My Menu 1¡¡¡¡");
return;
case MUMENU2:
MessageBox.Show("Hi from My Menu 2¡¡¡¡");
return;
default:
break;
}
}
base.WndProc(ref msg);
}
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
IntPtr MenuHandle = GetSystemMenu(this.Handle, false);
InsertMenu(MenuHandle, 5, MF_BYPOSITION, MYMENU1, "My Menu 1");
InsertMenu(MenuHandle, 6, MF_BYPOSITION, MUMENU2, "My Menu 2");
}
}
}

For a separator just add:
public const Int32 MF_SEPARATOR = 0x800;
and in Form_load:
InsertMenu(MenuHandle, 7, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_SEPARATOR, 0, string.Empty); // <-- Add a menu seperator

I went ahead and just added the necessary elements to the sample code to register the WndProc. This answers the basic question of registering the WndProc without altering the code as much as the previous solution. (It keeps the added menu on top of the system menu).
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace WindowsFormsApplication1
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
IntPtr hMenu = GetSystemMenu(Handle, false);
if (hMenu != IntPtr.Zero)
{
var menuInfo = new MENUITEMINFO
{
cbSize = (uint)Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(MENUITEMINFO)),
cch = 255,
dwTypeData = "Test Item",
fMask = 0x1 | 0x2 | 0x10,
fState = 0,
// Add an ID for your Menu Item
wID = 0x1,
fType = 0x0
};
InsertMenuItem(hMenu, 0, true, ref menuInfo);
DrawMenuBar(Handle);
}
}
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern IntPtr GetSystemMenu(IntPtr hWnd, bool bRevert);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern bool DrawMenuBar(IntPtr hWnd);
[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern bool InsertMenuItem(IntPtr hMenu, uint uItem,
bool fByPosition, [In] ref MENUITEMINFO lpmii);
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
public struct MENUITEMINFO
{
public uint cbSize;
public uint fMask;
public uint fType;
public uint fState;
public uint wID;
public IntPtr hSubMenu;
public IntPtr hbmpChecked;
public IntPtr hbmpUnchecked;
public IntPtr dwItemData;
public string dwTypeData;
public uint cch;
public IntPtr hbmpItem;
}
// Add ID for the Menu
private const int WM_SYSCOMMAND = 0x112;
// Event method for the Menu
protected override void WndProc(ref Message m)
{
base.WndProc(ref m);
//m.WParam = the wID you gave the Menu Item
if ((m.Msg == WM_SYSCOMMAND) && ((int)m.WParam == 0x1))
{
MessageBox.Show("Test Item Dialog");
}
}
}
}