Show/Hide DeskBands like quicklaunch 1

[techsmith]

I'm trying to show/hide deskbands such as quicklaunch in XP taskbar. I have googled myself silly to no avail. My only leads so far are Shell32.dll and the IDeskBand interface.

Any suggestions on a solution or even a starting point will probably get you a dozen stars...

 

[Qik3Coder]

your trying to do this in code?

What purpose would it serve trying to hide someone's toolbars?


SWM Programmer Seeking 3d Modeling work. Either for long term commitment or just friendship. Likes long hours in front of a flat screen with heavy doses of Mountain Dew.

 

[techsmith]

The app allows users to have different start up settings associated with each machine that they log on to or to pick from a list of settings that they have pre-defined.

An example might be to remotely connect to a specific PC whenever the user logs on to a terminal server.

Most of the settings seem to be easy to achieve, but I'm getting nowhere on the taskbar property settings.

 

[techsmith]

Trying again to get some help before this slips into the abyss of unanswered messages.

I'm sure it's not impossible to manipulate the taskbar properties from a .net app, but I guess it's an unusual requirement.

If you've got any ideas at all, you're probably doing better than me on this one.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

Your best bet would be to search Microsoft (or the MSDN) for the windows API. Specificly the Windows XP API (I'm not sure if 2k allows for dynamic expanding sys trays). I'm sure it is possible, but I doubt there is a managed code solution for it.

-Rick

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I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[techsmith]

Thanks Rick,

I'm looking into the IDeskBand and ITaskbar interfaces at the moment. I've got a couple of references on windows API and .NET, but they don't mention either of these interfaces.

Qik3Coder - if you know for sure that I'm attempting the impossible it would be good to know...

 

[Qik3Coder]

I didnt say it was impossible. In code, almost everything is possible. I once had my media player disappear from the list of processes in TaskMan, while still running as a QuickLaunch. I wish i knew what i did, so i could use it.

What i am saying is that most people, whether they knew how to or not, are reluctant to share info like that, because, well, this is the internet and if one person needs to do something for good, then at least one other person wants to do it for bad.

Hiding Toolbars, in most cases, are bad. How would you feel if your app accidentally hid the explorer bar, due to a bad pointer, but only when you had an HP printer with SP1?

SWM Programmer Seeking 3d Modeling work. Either for long term commitment or just friendship. Likes long hours in front of a flat screen with heavy doses of Mountain Dew.

 

[techsmith]

Qik3Coder,

I can appreciate that, but there seem to be plenty of examples of how to do things that could be misused such as the ITaskbarList:eleteTab Method, which is explained in VS help.

I'm thinking this is a bit low risk and if someone does know the answer I'd certainly appreciate it or a point in the right direction.