How to print css applied background images with the winforms webbrowser control

Question

I am using the webbrowser control in winforms and discovered now that background images which I apply with css are not included in the printouts.

Is there a way to make the webbrowser print the background of the displayed document too?

Edit: Since I wanted to do this programatically, I opted for this solution:

using Microsoft.Win32;

...

RegistryKey regKey = Registry.CurrentUser
                    .OpenSubKey("Software")
                    .OpenSubKey("Microsoft")
                    .OpenSubKey("Internet Explorer")
                    .OpenSubKey("Main");

//Get the current setting so that we can revert it after printjob
var defaultValue = regKey.GetValue("Print_Background");
regKey.SetValue("Print_Background", "yes");

//Do the printing

//Revert the registry key to the original value
regKey.SetValue("Print_Background", defaultValue);

Another way to handle this might be to just read the value, and notify the user to adjust this himself before printing. I have to agree that tweaking with the registry like this is not a good practice, so I am open for any suggestions.

Thanks for all your feedback

Answer 1

By default, the browser does not print background images at all.

In Firefox

* File > Page Setup > Check Off "Print Background"
* File > Print Preview

In IE

* Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Printing
* Check Off "Print Background Images and Colors"

In Opera

* File > Print Options > Check Off "Print Page Background"
* File > Print Preview (You may have to scroll down/up to see it refresh)

Answer 2

If you're going to go and change an important system setting, make sure to first read the current setting and restore it when you are done.

I consider this very bad practice in the first place, but if you must do it then be kind.

Registry.LocalMachine

Also, try changing LocalUser instead of LocalMachine - that way if your app crashes (and it will), then you'll only confounded the user, not everyone who uses the machine.

Answer 3

The corresponding HKCU key for this setting is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Print_Background

Answer 4

Another registry key would be : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\PageSetup\Print_Background HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\PageSetup\Print_Background

Answer 5

var sh = new ActiveXObject("WScript.Shell"); key = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Print_Background"; var defaultValue = sh.RegRead(key); sh.RegWrite(key,"yes","REG_SZ"); document.frames['detailFrame'].focus(); document.frames['detailFrame'].print(); sh.RegWrite(key,defaultValue,"REG_SZ");
return false;