Using Shell.MinimizeAll() in VB.Net

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

I'm not terribly familiar with working with the shell, and I just want to be sure I did this right. All I was after was to use the Shell.MinimizeAll() command. The program creates images for use as background tiles, and I'm adding a "set as wallpaper" feature. As such, I wanted to hide any open windows so the user can see the desktop.

What I did:
1. Added a reference to Shell32.dll
2. Added Imports Shell32 to the .vb file
3. In the sub that minimizes all windows, I added:

VB

Dim sh As New Shell
sh.MinimizeAll()

Works great, but I'm suspicious. Nothing is ever this easy. Is what I've done considered an acceptable practice?

Posted 26-Aug-11 18:44pm

Alan Burkhart

Updated 27-Aug-11 9:34am

v3

Add a Solution

Comments

DaveAuld 27-Aug-11 7:22am

Why can't things be easy? Depends on what you are trying to achieve to determine if it is acceptable or not, maybe share with us your goal........

Alan Burkhart 27-Aug-11 11:41am

Just needed to hide all windows. The app creates background tiles and I'm adding a "set as wallpaper" feature.

2 solutions

Solution 2

Step 1 :- First Add shell32.dll to your Project Reference.

* open your project . Then click on Project Menu Item.
* Then click on Add Reference
* Then GoTo Browse Tab In Dialog Box
* In File name copy this line "c:\windows\system32\shell32.dll"
* Click Ok.

Step 2
Now Goto Code Window you can write code written below :-

VB

Imports Shell32        **** 'Import the shell32.dll to your code
Public Class Form1
    
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim shell As New Shell32.Shell        *****'An object is created of type shell32
        shell.MinimizeAll()                   *******''''It will minimize all windows 
    End Sub
End Class

Posted 23-May-13 23:18pm

heemanshu bhalla

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Simon Bang Terkildsen · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-27T09:54:00

Solution 1

It does exactly what you what it to.

Shell.MinimizeAll() documentation[^]

You're suspicious? hmm, when I find a solution to a problem to be much easier than I expected, I put on the the party hat and start dancing around the office :D

Posted 27-Aug-11 9:54am

Simon Bang Terkildsen

Updated 27-Aug-11 9:56am

v2

Comments

Alan Burkhart 27-Aug-11 16:02pm

Saw the documentation, but was unsure about my adding the reference like I did. Thanks!

Simon Bang Terkildsen 27-Aug-11 16:11pm

I've used it myself, I had to attach a screenshot to our error reports, but didn't want that screenshot to contain data from other applications as our customers might not want that.
So I used it to hide all windows and then show my own applications window(s).
And I've not seen any other windows than my own applications windows(s) in the screenshots.