Detect a key-down/up event when application is minimized or in background

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4.33/5 (3 votes)

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Hi there.

I'm trying to make my application detect keypresses when minimized to systray.

If I have

BOOL CTestMFC::PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg) {
	if(pMsg->message == WM_KEYDOWN) {
		// Keydown detected
	}
}

it'll only notify when I press a key and the application is in the foreground. But I'd like to know when a user presses a specific button at all time, even though other fullscreen-programs are running.

Help would be appreciated.

Edit after answer:
Yes, the application is kindof like Ventrilo/Teamspeak, so I need to know when the 'talk' button has been pressed.
I'll look at the links and try to fix my problem. =)
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Kind Regards.

Posted 4-Feb-10 3:37am

Munk3N

Updated 4-Feb-10 6:08am

v2

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Avi Berger · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-04T05:48:00

In Windows, key presses belong to the window that has focus. If your app doesn't have focus - as is your situation - they aren't yours and you normally are never told about them.

If, as you say, you do need to know about them, you have to establish a Windows hook and provide a callback function that will be called for such events. For more information see here[^] and here[^].

Eddy Vluggen · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-04T04:11:00

Solution 1

AFAIK, you'd use a hook for that; a normal Windows-application might not handle keyboardmessages if it doesn't have the focus.

Posted 4-Feb-10 4:11am

Eddy Vluggen