Aero Glass Borders on Popup Windows in C#

Question

Hello - I would like to create pop-up windows like this:

http://i44.tinypic.com/345bklu.jpg

In my application using C#. I've looked into NativeWindow but I am not sure if this is the right way to do it. How can I accomplish this. I want a window to behave exactly like the volume control or "connect to" window in Windows 7.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I would like the window to be a fixed size.

Answer 1

In your CreateParams specify WS_POPUP and WS_THICKFRAME.

Answer 2

Using WinForms, create a form and set the following:

Text = "";
FormBorderStyle = Sizable;
ControlBox = false;
MaximizeBox = false;
MinimizeBox = false;
ShowIcon = false;

Edit:

This does require the window be sizable, but you can cheat at that a little. Set the MinimumSize and MaximumSize to the desired size. This will prevent the user from resizing.

As Jeff suggested, you can also do this in CreateParams:

protected override CreateParams CreateParams
{
    get
    {
        CreateParams cp = base.CreateParams;
        unchecked
        {
            cp.Style |= (int)0x80000000;    // WS_POPUP
            cp.Style |= 0x40000;            // WS_THICKFRAME
        }
        return cp;
    }
}

In both cases, however, you'll still get a sizing cursor when you hover over the edges. I'm not sure how to prevent that from happening.

Answer 3

I was able to accomplish this:

if (m.Msg == 0x84 /* WM_NCHITTEST */) {
    m.Result = (IntPtr)1;
    return;
}
base.WndProc(ref m);

Answer 4

To prevent the sizing cursors over the borders handle WM_NCHITTEST and when over the borders return HTBORDER.