c# how can you open a exe file and auto check a checkbox inside a installer.

Question

good morning all,

i have a question that i have no idea how to do,

i want to start a exe in c# and attach to the process of the exe and auto check a certin box so for example

load up python install

and attach to the proccess and auto select

so for example load this up with process.start(file.exe)
then when it loads up to auto check the checkbox in question

is that possible to do in c# ?

any help would be much apprieated
kind regards,
elfenliedtopfan5

Answer 1

You can use a WH_CBT hook to detect the window or FindWindow, then check the control
For example with FindWindow, test on a button click (change the location of python-3.11.0-amd64.exe) :

(remove space at S leep (editor bug))

    public partial class Form1 : Form  
    {  
        [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]  
        public static extern IntPtr FindWindow(string lpClassName, string lpWindowName);  
  
        [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Unicode)]  
        public static extern IntPtr FindWindowEx(IntPtr hwndParent, IntPtr hwndChildAfter, string lpszClass, string lpszWindow);  
  
        [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
        public static extern int SendMessage(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, int wParam, IntPtr lParam);  
  
        public const int BM_GETCHECK = 0x00F0;  
        public const int BM_SETCHECK = 0x00F1;  
  
        public const int BST_UNCHECKED = 0x0000;  
        public const int BST_CHECKED = 0x0001;  
  
        public Form1()  
        {  
            InitializeComponent();  
        }  
  
        private Thread workerThread = null;  
        private readonly AutoResetEvent isCanceled = new AutoResetEvent(false);  
  
        private void WorkerThread()  
        {  
            for (; !isCanceled.WaitOne(0);)  
            {  
                IntPtr hWnd = FindWindow("PythonBA", null);  
                if (hWnd != IntPtr.Zero)  
                {  
                    IntPtr hWndCheckBox = FindWindowEx(hWnd, IntPtr.Zero, "Button", "Add &python.exe to PATH");  
                    if (hWndCheckBox != IntPtr.Zero)  
                    {  
                        // To not send the message too early...  
                        Thread.S leep(200);  
                        SendMessage(hWndCheckBox, BM_SETCHECK, BST_CHECKED, IntPtr.Zero);  
                        isCanceled.Set();  
                    }  
                }    
                Thread.S leep(10);  
            }  
        }  
  
        private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            workerThread = new Thread(new ThreadStart(this.WorkerThread));  
            workerThread.Start();  
            using (Process p = new Process())  
            {  
                p.StartInfo.FileName = "E:\\temp\\python-3.11.0-amd64.exe";                 
                p.Start();  
            }  
        }  
    }