Question

Listening for key combos when application is not in focus

Asked by: locdang

Hi everyone,

I am attempting to perform actions on key presses however my code only works when the application is in the focus of the user, when infact i want it to be able to detect and perform an action even if it is running in the background / minimized, etc,,,

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

        protected override bool ProcessCmdKey(ref Message msg, Keys keyData)
        {
            // Check this key...
            bool bHandled = false;
 
            // Look up value
            if (keyData.ToString() == "F12, Ctrl")
            {
                throw new Exception(":)");
                this.Show();
                this.TopMost = true;
                bHandled = true;
            }
            else
            {
                foreach (KeyCombo kc in AvailableHotKeys)
                {
                    if (kc.HotKey == keyData)
                    {
                        new ExecutableItem(kc.ExecutableID).Execute();
                        bHandled = true;
                    }
                }
            }
            return bHandled;
        }

                                  
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Asked On
2009-11-01 at 16:33:28ID24862510
Tags

C#

,

Windows

Topics

C# Programming Language

,

Microsoft Visual C#.Net

,

.NET

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: cK-Posted on 2009-11-01 at 18:08:53ID: 25716675

>> Using Windows API's

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern short GetAsyncKeyState(int vKey);

byte[] bytes = BitConverter.GetBytes(GetAsyncKeyState(KEY));
if (bytes[1] == 128) DoSomethig; //Key Pressed

//KEY = http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms645540%28VS.85%29.aspx

 

by: Idle_MindPosted on 2009-11-01 at 19:22:32ID: 25716896

To use GetAsyncKeyState() you'd have to continously poll with a Timer.

Another option would be to register your key combination as a HotKey using the RegisterHotkey() API:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Programming/Languages/C_Sharp/Q_20884663.html

Be aware, though, that if another application has already registered your desired key combo then you won't be able to trap it.

You could also use a low level keyboard hook which would allow you to trap the combination no matter what:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Programming/Languages/C_Sharp/Q_22525405.html

 

by: locdangPosted on 2009-11-01 at 22:13:13ID: 31648726

The solution that worked best for me is registering the hotkey through the registerhotkey API. You link was the exact solution i needed. Thank you.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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