Wrapping Controls from System.Windows.Forms in System.Windows.UIElement

Question

Is it possible to wrap the old System.Windows.Forms controls in System.Windows.UIElement? I know that the Browser Control is somehow wrapped and the base is from System.Windows.Forms.

If this is possible, would the implementation cause any consequences?

Answer 1

There is the WindowsFormsHost class, though I would add a note of caution. If you're using all your old controls from winforms, mixed with WPF, it won't be a nice experience for the user. I assume you've been told you can't, or don't have time, but really you should look to replacing your existing controls with WPF controls. Unless you have lots of seriously complicated owner-drawn stuff, this shouldn't be too much effort.

So my recommendation would be to start creating WPF versions of your existing controls (or buy a set from someone like Telerik for any non-domain-specific controls you've created, like toolbars etc), and only keep Winforms controls for extra-complicated bespoke controls you've created. Even then, you should be planning for a "phase 2" to replace those as well. Your users will thank you for it.

Answer 2

You can host a Windows forms control in your WPF forms. Just wrap it inside a WindowsFormsHost element. This shows how to host a windows forms masked test box in side a WPF window.

<Window x:Class="Window1"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:wf="clr-namespace:System.Windows.Forms;assembly=System.Windows.Forms"  
    Title="HostingWfInWpf"
    >

  <Grid>

    <WindowsFormsHost>
      <wf:MaskedTextBox x:Name="mtbDate" Mask="00/00/0000"/>
    </WindowsFormsHost>

  </Grid>


</Window>