Explorer Controls?

[mercury3141]

How can I get the new Explorer-type controls by using the basic Petzold type programming? I've looked for a new type of windows class and searched the help, but I can't find out how to do this.
Thanks

[NoHero]

Can you explain what do you mean with "explorer controls"?

[ovidiucucu]

...and also, can explain us what means "basic Petzold type programming"?

[mercury3141]

What I mean by Explorer Controls are the standard window controls such as radio buttons, checkboxes…that have color gradients and hot-tracking built in to their default behavior. I have heard these new controls referred to as “Explorer Controls”, I apologize if this is incorrect. I don’t think it is as simple as a new class name or style, but I do think they are available to application programs because they appear in multiple programs and appear to look and behave identically. Not just in dialog boxes either.

I suspect the Petzold comment is sarcasm but…. I need this for API applications. I fill out a WNDCLASSEX, CreateWindowEx,.message loop…..

[kirants]

You don't have to do much. They are implemented in a new commcontrol dll ( those explorer controls you are referring to are called windows common controls ).

Please search CG forums and CG articles and web for manifest+theme.

Here is one link:
Using Windows XP Visual Styles (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/xptheming.asp)

Adding support for such a look is as simple as supplying an xml file alongside the application..