New to VS.net (VB.net) 2008. Windows 7 aero glass stuff.

Question

Hey all, i have been using VB.net 2008 for a few months and i have a question. I compiled my program and ran it in a VM running windows 7. However, the progress bar looks like it does in XP. It doesn't have that cool look to it like I've seen in many other programs running in windows 7.

I have downloaded the 3.5 .net framework with sp1 and also the sdk for windows 7 (1.4+ gb dvd) but i still see nothing.

Is there a check-box i am missing in VS 2008 to enable these types of features? Maybe some type of code i need to place in the program?

Thanks!

David

Answer 1

I think you're looking for System.Windows.Forms.Application.EnableVisualStyles :)

Answer 2

The Windows API Code Pack can be used to get access to some Win 7 (and Vista) controls etc:
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsAPICodePack

You can also use the SetWindowTheme API function to make the standard controls look more 7ish.

Here's a link to a project that uses SetWindowTheme to get Vista style controls, should be similar for Windows 7 (quite possibly the exact same code sometimes):

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/vista/themedvistacontrols.aspx