Disabling the Alt-Tab key combination

The simplest way to achieve this is to use the RegisterHotKey function. By calling this function from within your process you take precedence over the O/S. The WM_HOTKEY message that is generated by the specified key combination will be re-directed to the your processes message queue. To block the hotkey, dont process the WM_HOTKEY message that is sent to your queue. Below I have copied a constructor and destructor that demonstrate this action.

// Call the RegisterHotKey function when the application 
// is instantiated to block the ALT-TAB combination
// Note:  The m_nHotKeyID is a int which specifies the hotkey 
//        ID, the hotkey id is programmer defined
CMainFrame::CMainFrame()
{
 m_nHotKeyID = 100;

 BOOL m_isKeyRegistered = RegisterHotKey(GetSafeHwnd(), m_nHotKeyID,
  MOD_ALT, VK_TAB);

 ASSERT(m_isKeyRegistered != FALSE);
}


//lets remove the hotkey block when the application is destroyed
CMainFrame::~CMainFrame()
{
 BOOL m_iskeyUnregistered = UnregisterHotKey(GetSafeHwnd(), m_nHotKeyID);
 ASSERT(m_isKeyUnregistered != FALSE);
}
There you have it, the simplest way to block the ALT-TAB without writing a VxD.

One last thing, the hotkey block will continue as long as your application is running. When your process terminates the hotkey will return to its original functionality.

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  • crash with release build

    Posted by Legacy on 12/22/2003 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Sam

    It seem that App with RegisterHotKey function will crash with release build upon second time pressing the hotkey. Who can help? Thanks!

    Reply
  • API

    Posted by Legacy on 07/08/2003 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Mobeen

    I want to disable IE toolbar in my Application

    Reply
  • Disabling the Alt-Tab key combination

    Posted by Legacy on 08/11/2002 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Aamod Joshi

    How to control all the KB messages

    Reply
  • Does not work with Direct Input 8.0

    Posted by Legacy on 05/01/2002 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Robert

    Hello,

    Direct Input (DirectX 8.0) does not seem to allow ALT+TAB to be captured in the application (hotkey and global low level hook methods were tested). Allow though, the HotKey or hook does effect all of the other application in the Desktop until the application is ended.

    Any suggestions?

    Reply
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