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Impersonate Linux's Multi-desktop Feature on Windows Platform

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5 Mar 2009CPOL1 min read 39.9K   1.3K   51   9
This is a tiny tool to create multi virtual desktop, and allows you to switch between them.

2.jpg

Introduction

The feature, multi desktops (workspace), is supported by KDE/GNOME on Linux, and it can also be found on Mac OSX.

This tiny tool can impersonate this feature on Windows platform.

Desktop Functions

There is a series of APIs to maintain desktops.

FunctionDescription
CloseDesktopCloses an open handle to a desktop object.
CreateDesktopCreates a new desktop, associates it with the current window station of the calling process, and assigns it to the calling thread.
CreateDesktopExCreates a new desktop, associates it with the current window station of the calling process, and assigns it to the calling thread.
EnumDesktopsEnumerates all desktops associated with the current window station of the calling process.
EnumDesktopWindowsEnumerates all top-level windows associated with the specified desktop.
GetThreadDesktopRetrieves a handle to the desktop assigned to the specified thread.
GetUserObjectInformationGets information about a window station or desktop object.
GetUserObjectSecurityGets security information for a window station or desktop object.
OpenDesktopOpens the specified desktop object.
OpenInputDesktopOpens the desktop that receives user input.
SetThreadDesktopAssigns the specified desktop to the calling thread.
SetUserObjectInformationSets information about a window station or desktop object.
SetUserObjectSecuritySets security information for a window station or desktop object.
SwitchDesktopMakes a desktop visible and activates it. This enables the desktop to receive input from the user.

How To Create a New Desktop 

The simple code below demonstrates how to create a new desktop.

C++
// create the new desktop
SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES stSecurityAttr = {sizeof(SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES), 0, TRUE};
stSecurityAttr.nLength = sizeof(SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES);
stSecurityAttr.bInheritHandle = TRUE;
HDESK hDesktop = ::CreateDesktop( lpszDesktopName
	, NULL
	, NULL
	, 0
	, GENERIC_ALL
	, &stSecurityAttr
	);
if( hDesktop == NULL )
{
	::MessageBox( m_hWnd, _T("Failed to create new desktop."), 
				_T("Error"), MB_ICONERROR | MB_OK);
	return;
}

// start the Windows Shell(explorer.exe) on the new created desktop
STARTUPINFO stStartInfo = {0};
stStartInfo.cb = sizeof(STARTUPINFO);
stStartInfo.lpDesktop = (LPTSTR)lpszDesktopName;
PROCESS_INFORMATION stProcInfo = {0};
CString strCmdLine = _T("explorer.exe");
BOOL bRet = ::CreateProcess( NULL
	, strCmdLine.GetBuffer()
	, NULL
	, NULL
	, TRUE
	, 0
	, NULL
	, NULL
	, &stStartInfo
	, &stProcInfo
	);
strCmdLine.ReleaseBuffer();
if( !bRet )
{
	::CloseDesktop(hDesktop);
	::MessageBox( m_hWnd, _T("Failed to launch the explorer.exe 
			in the new desktop."), _T("Error"), MB_ICONERROR | MB_OK);
	return;
}
::SwitchDesktop(hDesktop);

// sleep for 3 seconds for the shell ready
Sleep(3000);

// launch another instance on the new created shell
TCHAR tszBuffer[MAX_PATH] = {0};
GetModuleFileName( m_hInstance, tszBuffer, MAX_PATH);
bRet = ::CreateProcess( NULL
	, tszBuffer
	, NULL
	, NULL
	, TRUE
	, 0
	, NULL
	, NULL
	, &stStartInfo
	, &stProcInfo
	);
	
::CloseDesktop(hDesktop);

History

  • 5th March, 2009: Initial post

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Team Leader
China China
Jerry is from China. He was captivated by computer programming since 13 years old when first time played with Q-Basic.



  • Windows / Linux & C++
  • iOS & Obj-C
  • .Net & C#
  • Flex/Flash & ActionScript
  • HTML / CSS / Javascript
  • Gaming Server programming / video, audio processing / image & graphics


Contact: vcer(at)qq.com
Chinese Blog: http://blog.csdn.net/wangjia184

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionIE automatic exit in win7 with uac on, what's wrong? Pin
ocean_sky25-Apr-12 20:39
ocean_sky25-Apr-12 20:39 
QuestionDesktop Screenshots ? Pin
User Test22-Dec-09 16:15
User Test22-Dec-09 16:15 
AnswerRe: Desktop Screenshots ? Pin
User Test22-Dec-09 16:16
User Test22-Dec-09 16:16 
GeneralGood & simple project Pin
Member 13002109-Apr-09 21:43
Member 13002109-Apr-09 21:43 
Hi Wang,
your code is nice and simple and it felt to good using ur project. A bit of explanation on why a seperate explorer is needed in new desktop and other details will help bring down the entry level for understanding the project Smile | :) .
rtshiva
GeneralSysinternals Pin
Vahid_N5-Mar-09 10:13
Vahid_N5-Mar-09 10:13 
GeneralImpressive Pin
Pablo Robert5-Mar-09 2:59
Pablo Robert5-Mar-09 2:59 
GeneralRe: Impressive Pin
Andromeda Shun9-Mar-09 21:20
Andromeda Shun9-Mar-09 21:20 
GeneralRe: Impressive Pin
Pablo Robert10-Mar-09 3:10
Pablo Robert10-Mar-09 3:10 
GeneralRe: Impressive Pin
Andromeda Shun10-Mar-09 21:35
Andromeda Shun10-Mar-09 21:35 

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