How can I create a Start Menu-like application?

Applies To: C++Builder 1 or higher
Category: Knowledge Base

I would like to create an application bar (as the Start Menu), which will automatically push all the other windows aside.

 

1.

  Start a new project using File | New Application.

 

2.

  Set the BorderStyle of your form to bsNone.

 

3.

  Open the header file and insert:

 

private:

    APPBARDATA data;

 

Also make sure to add #include <shellapi.h>.

 

4.

  Double-click the OnShow event:

 

void __fastcall TForm1::FormShow(TObject *Sender)

{

    ClientWidth = 30;

    // Don't list this program in the Start Menu

    ShowWindow(Application->Handle, SW_HIDE);

 

    data.cbSize = sizeof(data);

    data.hWnd = Handle;

    data.uCallbackMessage = WM_USER;

    // Left application bar

    data.uEdge = ABE_LEFT;

    data.rc = Rect(0, 0, Width, Height);

    data.lParam = 0;

 

    // Create new application bar

    int res = SHAppBarMessage(ABM_NEW, &data);

    if(res)

    {

        SHAppBarMessage(ABM_QUERYPOS, &data);

        SHAppBarMessage(ABM_SETPOS, &data);

 

        Application->ProcessMessages();

        // Position in the middle

        SetWindowPos(Handle, HWND_BOTTOM, 0,

            (Screen->Height-Height)/2,

            Width, Height, SWP_NOREDRAW);

    }

    else

        // Error - close application

        Close();

}

 

5.

  Edit the OnClose event:

 

void __fastcall TForm1::FormClose(TObject *Sender, TCloseAction

    &Action)

{

    // Delete application bar

    SHAppBarMessage(ABM_REMOVE, &data);

}

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