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First Posted 16 Oct 2002
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System Hotkey Component

By | 16 Oct 2002 | Article
handling a System-wide Hotkey

Introduction

SystemHotkey is a simple component providing a wrapper for RegisterHotkey / UnregisterHotkey Win32-Api functions. The component creates a window which listen for WM_HOTKEY messages.

This shows the code inserted by Windows Forms Designer:

private void InitializeComponent()
{
    this.components = new System.ComponentModel.Container();
    this.systemHotkey1 = new CodeProject.SystemHotkey.SystemHotkey(
           this.components);
    this.label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
    this.label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
    this.SuspendLayout();
    // 
    // systemHotkey1
    // 
    this.systemHotkey1.Shortcut = System.Windows.Forms.Shortcut.AltF6;
    this.systemHotkey1.Pressed += new System.EventHandler(
           this.systemHotkey1_Pressed);

The Shortcut property sets the Hotkey and activates it. When the Hotkey is pressed the Pressed event is fired. The Hotkey is automaticaly unregistered at Dispose()

You can use this Component with a Tray-Application which activates when a Hotkey is pressed. The files Systemhotkey.cs and win32.cs should be included in a class-library

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here

About the Author

Alexander Werner

Web Developer

Germany Germany

Member



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Comments and Discussions

 
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QuestionLicense or Terms Of Use? PinmemberChristopJB12:19 14 Oct '08  
GeneralDon't power off or restart the PC Pinmemberkriegsmar11:11 1 Jun '07  
QuestionVista bug? PinmemberETL .Net14:26 28 Mar '07  
QuestionUsing Windows as a modifier key? PinmemberKbirger3:17 20 Oct '06  
GeneralPlease fix multiple Mod key selection PinmembercountryBumkin9:13 15 Jun '06  
QuestionCan you add event KeyDown and KeyUp Please! Pinmemberndphuong1:29 4 May '06  
AnswerRe: Can you add event KeyDown and KeyUp Please! PinmemberKbirger3:15 20 Oct '06  
Questionwhere are the numbers coming from? Pinmemberjhazlett17:03 8 Mar '06  
AnswerRe: where are the numbers coming from? PinmemberAlexander Werner22:07 8 Mar '06  
GeneralBinding Hotkey in real time PinmemberMarkclee12:40 3 Nov '05  
GeneralRe: Binding Hotkey in real time PinmemberSkoobie Du2:38 26 Jun '07  
GeneralDefault functionality of mapped hotkey Pinmembermakasili10:45 27 Oct '05  
GeneralRe: Default functionality of mapped hotkey PinmemberSkoobie Du2:19 26 Jun '07  
GeneralOn lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered Pinmembersona_zar1:22 25 Aug '05  
GeneralRe: On lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered PinmemberAlexander Werner1:47 25 Aug '05  
GeneralRe: On lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered Pinmembersona_zar3:42 25 Aug '05  
GeneralRe: On lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered Pinmembersona_zar4:25 25 Aug '05  
GeneralRe: On lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered PinmemberSkoobie Du1:59 26 Jun '07  
Quick note, if I sound rude I apologize ahead of time. Smile | :)
 
You don't understand the purpose of a system-wide hotkey. The purpose of a system-wide hotkey, is to be able to use a hotkey regardless of which application has focus.
 
You want a localized hotkey, so use a hidden menu item. Assign the hotkey to the menu item, and use the menu item's clicked event to do what you want. Using a system-wide hotkey is beyond the scope of your application. I know that your message is two years old, but when I read it I thought you were an idiot, no offense. Hmmm | :|
 
Not all UI elements need to be visible to the user, so using a hidden menu item achieves what you want, without needing to make explicit calls to system-level functions, and needing to place needless menu items (if you're even using a menu).
(Noted system-level calls will be made, but it's through the Framework)
 
This may be late, but it could be useful to anybody running across this and trying the same thing.
 
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Skoobie Du, programming and web developing since I was 12. ^_^ I might not be very good, but I don't care what you think. Sleepy | :zzz: Suspicious | :suss: Cool | :cool:
GeneralRe: On lost focus - Hotkeys should get unregistered Pinmemberekb021110:52 6 Jul '07  
GeneralUpdate to RegisterHotKey method PinsussRick Hobbs @ NeoWorks0:47 24 Sep '04  
GeneralRe: Update to RegisterHotKey method Pinmembertimbits21419:29 10 Dec '04  
GeneralRe: Update to RegisterHotKey method Pinmembertimbits21412:13 11 Dec '04  
GeneralRe: Update to RegisterHotKey method PinmemberXaroth0:22 18 May '06  
GeneralRe: Update to RegisterHotKey method PinmembercountryBumkin9:11 15 Jun '06  
GeneralRe: Update to RegisterHotKey method Pinmemberolveram714:36 30 Jun '06  

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