Looking for Hooking

[pigeonrandle]

Hi,
Is it possible to hook another application's WM_MOVE messages using c#?
There seems to be some argument as to what messages you can hook and
whether you can listen in on other app's messages using .net.
I'm just looking for a straight answer really?

Thanks,
James Randle

 

[Thomas T. Veldhouse]

Hi,
Is it possible to hook another application's WM_MOVE messages using c#?
There seems to be some argument as to what messages you can hook and
whether you can listen in on other app's messages using .net.
I'm just looking for a straight answer really?

There is always unmanaged code that could be used ;-)

 

[pigeonrandle]

Thomas ,
I don't really mind how it's done as long as it works. I've never tried
hooking beofre and would like to 'get it right' 'the first time' if you
know what i mean?!

James.

 

[Kevin Spencer]

Here are some resources I've collected on this subject:

http://www.codeguru.com/Cpp/W-P/system/misc/article.php/c5667#more
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/NetWin32Hooks.asp
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/globalsystemhook.asp

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
Professional Chicken Salad Alchemist

What You Seek Is What You Get.

 

[pigeonrandle]

Kevin,
Cheers for the reply dude. My browser is telling me i've already looked
at one of those (at which point i probably thought 'maybe theres an
easier way'!).

Thanks again,
James

 

[GhostInAK]

Hello pigeonrandle,

Take a look at the NativeWindow class.

-Boo

 

[Tom Spink]

Hello pigeonrandle,

Take a look at the NativeWindow class.

-Boo

Hi Boo,

Unfortunately, you cannot subclass a foreign process' window procedure.

 

[pigeonrandle]

Tom's right - i just tried it .

I dont suppose anyone has a specific example do they. I seem to have
about 4 projects on the go and am getting confused .-(

Cheers again,
James

 

[GhostInAK]

Hello Tom,

Ah.. then in that case one would need to use the Win32 SetWindowLong function.

-Boo

 

[pigeonrandle]

Ghost,
Alas, you cannot use SetWindowLong on another process's window.

http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms633591.aspx

But i did find this example, which is not only cool, but implements the
sort of global hook 'everyone seems to be after' - one that traps
messages from other windows.

http://www.codeproject.com/system/MinimizedAnyWindowToTray.asp

It's well commented too. Wahey

Cheers for your help,
James.

 

[Joel Lucsy]

But i did find this example, which is not only cool, but implements the
sort of global hook 'everyone seems to be after' - one that traps
messages from other windows.

http://www.codeproject.com/system/MinimizedAnyWindowToTray.asp

You do realize that that example is in C++?

 

[Tom Spink]

Hello Tom,

Ah.. then in that case one would need to use the Win32 SetWindowLong
function.

-Boo

Hi Ghost,

Unfortunately not. Processes do not have permissions to alter window
procedures in windows foreign to their process. It can't be done.

There are two options:

1) You can use DLL injection (totally OTT and not possible in C# for small
things) to inject your own code into the window procedure, and either
redirect the WndProc, or do something else.

2) You can use a global hook, if all you are interested in is the window
messages.

 

[pigeonrandle]

Yes i do. The interesting bit (the DLL) has to be written in c++.

James.