Taskbar Progressbar Control

• Download source code - 24.3 Kb [Version 1.0.2]
• Download TTaskbar Container Template - 75.4 KB

Introduction

This article describes how to put a progress bar control into the taskbar.

How does it work?

First, we need to create an instance of the progress control. The progress bar control will be automatically attached to the taskbar. At startup, the program searches for three specific HWnds. These are Shell_TrayWnd, ReBarWindow32 and TrayNotifyWnd. The program tasks, shortcut bar etc.. are all included into this window using the ReBarWindow32 class. ReBarWindow32 is directly placed beside the TrayNotifyWnd window. All we need to do now is to create the progress bar using the method Create but we don't add it to our main window, we add it to the taskbar. An important fact is, that the control needs its own message map, else you will get a 100% CPU usage due to the message handling when we click on the control in the taskbar.

Facts

• The progress control is directly attached into the taskbar. When you have enabled the Auto Hide option of the Windows Taskbar, the control moves with it.
• We need to renew the control when we:
  • add an icon into the tray notify bar.
  • change/move the taskbar from horizontal to vertical and vice versa.
  • * etc..
• To renew the control, we need a timer at this time (I haven't found a kind of broadcast message yet).
• Parent window of the control is the Shell_TrayWnd of the Taskbar.

Other classes used

• CTextProgressCtrl by Chris Maunder.

Where does it work?

It's tested on:

• WinXP
• Win2000 Prof.
• Win2003 Server

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