How to put a C# programm (ex WPF or WF or with Mono) under desctop Icons (like a wallpaper)?

I think it is quite possible, try this: Find handle to window with the class "Progman". Create some window in your application (or, perhaps, in some separate application, you will see the purpose later) and turn off its borders. Set the parent of the newly created window to desktop handle.

Set the parent of "Progman" window you have found previousely to the window you created. Desktop will be put on a window owned by your application and it will be possible to manipulate it in the way you want (namely, put something under it). Also, do not forget to restore desktop's parent when application owning it is closed.

Look for FindWindow, GetClassName and SetParent at pinvoke.net.

Short answer is you can't really do it (in managed C# anyway). If it's possible, you would need to use Interop, and you'd likely be calling something that Windows doesn't offer as an API. ... although... as Ole Jak mentioned, Stardock looks to be doing it somehow... The desktop is its own contained item.

The same process handles the icons and the wallpaper "behind" those icons. You are allowed to change the wallpaper to a different image, and you used to be able to create an Active Desktop where HTML content would be displayed, but this was discontinued in Vista. What are you actually trying to do?

Maybe there's another way to achieve a similar result?

I want my Old Good XP Active Desktop made by a some open source C# programm on my Win 7! ) – Blender Oct 27 '09 at 11:05 The problem with that is you're talking about the core of the operating system - it's incredibly hard to do anything with that unless Microsoft wants you to! – Damovisa Oct 27 '09 at 13:17 You say that the desktop is core... Hm... But for ex they stardock.Com/products/fences have there "windows" appearing underneath icons.

I do not want to manage Icons - just put my window under them... BTW any one knows about such operations in other OS’s (Mac etc)? – Blender Oct 27 '09 at 15:09 Ok, that program is interesting... My guess is that they're using some quite low-level operations rather than calling an established API. I honestly don't know how they're doing it.

Maybe they're removing all icons and duplicating their behaviour in their own program? – Damovisa Oct 27 '09 at 23:13.

There was DreamScene for vista. You could put a video as explorer background. I don't know if you could run a C# program to output the background video.

Run a C# program to outputvideo is not so hard but how to set it as the back and if we for ex want to interect with it... – Blender Oct 27 '09 at 11:16.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.