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GetDesktopWindow function

Applies to: desktop apps only

Retrieves a handle to the desktop window. The desktop window covers the entire screen. The desktop window is the area on top of which other windows are painted.

Syntax

HWND WINAPI GetDesktopWindow(void);

Parameters

This function has no parameters.

Return value

Type:

Type: HWND

The return value is a handle to the desktop window.

Examples

For an example, see Initializing a Dialog Box.

Requirements

Minimum supported client

Windows 2000 Professional

Minimum supported server

Windows 2000 Server

Header

Winuser.h (include Windows.h)

Library

User32.lib

DLL

User32.dll

See also

Reference
GetWindow
Conceptual
Windows

 

 

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Build date: 2/3/2012

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issue with sessions
on windows 7, if you are running as services, you must pay attention on the session you are taking the desktop.
vb6 syntax
Private Declare Function GetDesktopWindow Lib "user32.dll" () As Long
vb.net syntax
<DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet:=CharSet.Auto, ExactSpelling:=True)> _
Public Shared Function GetDesktopWindow() As IntPtr End Function
C# syntax
[DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet=CharSet.Auto, ExactSpelling=true)]
public static extern IntPtr GetDesktopWindow();
Possible VB9 declaration
Friend Declare Function GetDesktopWindow Lib "user32.dll" () As Int32