How to minimize an external window to the taskbar?

[qwert]

My script runs an external application, which I retrieve the window handle for (the application) so I can move/size the window. That all works fine.

Now I need to be able to minimize that same window ... so I issue a WinSetState($handle, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)

It minimizes ... but it minimizes within the workspace of my script's GUI (apparently). A taskbar-like entry shows up at the bottom of my GUI and not on the Windows Taskbar.

How can I minimize that external application so that it appears on the Taskbar and works like any other? When I exit my script, I want to leave the application running — and have the user be able to control it normally, as if they had started it. I never knew there were two levels of Minimize.

Thanks for any help.

Edited February 29, 2012 by qwert

[guinness]

Search the forum (specifically the examples section) for an application called Minime, this will give you an idea of how to achieve this.

[KaFu]

From your description it sounds like you've set your open gui as the parent window for the external app. Set the parent window to desktop and minimization to taskbar should work fine. Otherwise post some sample code ...

[qwert]

Set the parent window to desktop and minimization to taskbar should work fine. ...

That sounds perfect!

Er ... how do I do that? The only option I see for the Run command is $RUN_CREATE_NEW_CONSOLE. Is that it? Or do I have to run command prompt and "type" the start command with a Send?

(Thanks for your help with this.)

[KaFu]

Maybe this works for you, otherwise... show the code.

#include <WinAPI.au3>

_WinAPI_SetParent($handle, _WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow())
WinSetState($handle, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)

[qwert]

Well, it looked promising, but it didn't change anything. Here are the essential steps of my start sequence. Note that the delays are ones that I have found necessary for the actual application I'm starting. My experience is that the Process starts and can be tested, but that the corresponding window doesn't exist for some moments ... hence the delays.

$1stWin = Run( "C:\Windows\Notepad.exe", "", @SW_HIDE)
ProcessWait($1stWin)
Sleep(1000) ; give process time to open a window
$Data = _WinAPI_EnumProcessWindows($1stWin)
If @error Then
     MsgBox(0, 'ERROR', 'Failed to find window to PID: ' & $1stWin)
Else
$hWnd1 = $Data[1][0]
$state = WinGetState ( $hWnd1)
WinSetState($hWnd1, "", @SW_HIDE)
Sleep(1000) ; pause before moving window
WinMove($hWnd1, "", 100, 100, 500, 600)
$res = _WinAPI_SetParent($hWnd1,_WinAPI_GetDesktopWindow())

Any suggestions you can make will be appreciated (especially if you know how to eliminate the delays).

[BrewManNH]

You're hiding the notepad window, so even if it's working, you're never going to know because you can't see it.

EDIT: Also, you never use the @SW_MINIMIZE macro, so I'm not sure what it is you're trying to accomplish other than having a hidden notepad window.

Edited February 29, 2012 by BrewManNH

[UEZ]

Try this:

#include <Misc.au3>
#include <WinAPI.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

Global $hDLL = DllOpen("user32.dll")
HotKeySet("{ESC}", "_Exit")
OnAutoItExitRegister("_Exit")

While Sleep(50)
    ToolTip("Click on a window to minimize it!", MouseGetPos(0) + 10, MouseGetPos(1) + 10)
    If _IsPressed("01", $hDLL) Then Min_Win()
WEnd

Func Min_Win()
    Local $aRet = DllCall("user32.dll", "int", "WindowFromPoint", "long", MouseGetPos(0), "long", MouseGetPos(1))
    Local $hWnd = _WinAPI_GetAncestor(HWnd($aRet[0]), $GA_ROOT)
    WinSetState($hWnd, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)
EndFunc

Func _Exit()
    ToolTip("")
    DllClose($hDLL)
    Exit
EndFunc

Br,

UEZ

[qwert]

You're hiding the notepad window, so even if it's working, you're never going to know because you can't see it.

Also, you never use the @SW_MINIMIZE macro, so I'm not sure what it is you're trying to accomplish other than having a hidden notepad window.

Both true, of course. But both are the result of me pulling steps out of my real script in order to represent the problem in a simpler way. Indeed, a later part of my script Shows the notepad and Minimizes it. I regret the confusion I injected.

@UEZ: I can't follow how your suggestion will fit my particular need. Here is the key point:

When I exit my script, I want to leave the application running — and have the user be able to control it normally, as if they had started it.

So, KaFu's original line of reasoning was on the right track. It is unfortunate it didn't exactly work.

Thanks for your responses.

(One more clarification: The Run Notepad statement is one of the first actions my script takes. The script hasn't performed a CreateGUI at that point, although it does, later. However, there is a Splash up at the point of the Run Notepad, if that counts as a GUI.)

Edited February 29, 2012 by qwert

[BrewManNH]

Try changing this line:

$Data = _WinAPI_EnumProcessWindows($1stWin, False) ; Add the false parameter to find hidden windows

[UEZ]

@qwert: I showed a way how to minimize any GUI and also the desktop . This more or less what I understood.

You never posted any example so what do you expect?

I would suggest to post a demonstration code and we can try to help you better.

Br,

UEZ

Edited February 29, 2012 by UEZ