Go4Expert - Windows XP Style controls in your MFC/WIN32 Applications

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Windows XP Style controls in your MFC/WIN32 Applications

This article will show you how you can convert all your applications from Windows 98 looks to the Windows XP looks. Its just too simple and does not require any code changes from the developers point of view. Other all things are expected to work as normal.

Note that MSDN requires you to call InitCommonControls by linking to ComCtl32.lib but I dont see any need for the same in the below mention process but if it doesn't work you can try it out. Try calling the function InitCommonControls in the initinstance of your application.

1. Just create a simple text file using any normal text editor like notepad and put the following content into the file and save it as ExeName.exe.manifest.

Code: XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
    version="1.0.0.0"
    processorArchitecture="X86"
    name="CompanyName.ProductName.YourApplication"
    type="win32"
/>
<description>Your application description here.</description>
<dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity
            type="win32"
            name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
            version="6.0.0.0"
            processorArchitecture="X86"
            publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
            language="*"
        />
    </dependentAssembly>
</dependency>
</assembly>

2. Go to the File Viewer window and add the ExeName.exe.manifest file to your workspace.
3. Add the following line into the RC fle of your application
CREATEPROCESS_MANIFEST_RESOURCE_ID RT_MANIFEST "ExeName.exe.manifest"

Note : Remember if you are using some other DLL's for the resources then you need to be adding the
CREATEPROCESS_MANIFEST_RESOURCE_ID RT_MANIFEST "ExeName.exe.manifest"
to each of the resouces dll as well as to the executables.

Sample output
Default them
http://www.go4expert.com/images/arti...ook/before.JPG

XP theme
http://www.go4expert.com/images/arti...look/after.JPG

The attached zipped file contains the source as well as the executable.