Question

How to put a C# programm (ex WPF or WF) under desctop Icons (like a wallpaper)?

• I want my Old Good XP Active Desktop made by a some open source C# programm on my Win 7!)

• Something like this – Fences .
  They have there “windows” appearing underneath icons. I do not want to manage Icons – just put my window under them… BTW any one knows about such operations in other OS’s (Mac etc)?

• And I DO NOT WANT TO MANAGE ALL THE ICONS ON MY OWN LIKE bumptop

Answer 1

I think it is quite possible, try this:

1. Find handle to window with the class “Progman”.
2. Create some window in your application (or, perhaps, in some separate application, you will see the purpose later) and turn off its borders.
3. Set the parent of the newly created window to desktop handle.
4. Set the parent of “Progman” window you have found previousely to the window you created.

Desktop will be put on a window owned by your application and it will be possible to manipulate it in the way you want (namely, put something under it).

Also, do not forget to restore desktop’s parent when application owning it is closed.

Look for FindWindow, GetClassName and SetParent at http://www.pinvoke.net/