Interception of application activation _attempt_ at low-level (no message hooking)

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C++

C

Windows

Win32

event

Hi everybody!

I have a need to get system-wide (or at least desktop-wide) notification about _attempt_ of activating background application. Just after user click mouse button or keyboard alt-tab. I can't use system-wide message hooks because it is heavy artillery for my needs.

So the question sounds like: is there any method to get (kernel?.. shell?) notification just after user Alt-Tabs to, or mouse-clicks in the App window or on the Taskbar button and before system consider any message to be sent to the App? It is sufficient for me to know Process ID or HWND of the App window. Any thoughts are very appreciated. Even if it needs to write a driver or service.

Kind regards,
Volodymyr