Placing toolbar into Windows taskbar (ala language bar)

Question

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of writing a Windows MFC app to quickly search our corporate DMS. The idea is to have a button placed at the right hand edge of the windows taskbar much like the language bar, that when clicked, would popup the search interface.

I can't seem to find much regarding how placing items in the taskbar like this is performed, can anyone point me to some useful resources or examples?

I'd prefer native API resources (that is, not .NET) if possible.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The best I ever saw when I was thinking of doing this was a example on CodeProject http://www.codeproject.com/KB/shell/ietoolbartutorial.aspx

I could never get it to do what I wanted but maybe you will have better luck - most of the .Net stuff I found wrapped this for the most part

Answer 2

You could look at the StExBar. It implements an explorer toolbar which can also be added to the taskbar. Doesn't use MFC though, just plain win32.

Answer 3

Avoid codeproject poor sample and see MSDN samples (Adv. Shell api samples, SDK)

Answer 4

Such toolbar is named a Deskband. Here's an example: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/shell/dotnetbandobjects.aspx