[WPF] Customize or Disable the image preview, which displays when a user hovers over an app's icon on the taskbar and switch to Task View (Windows + Tab)?

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[WPF] Customize or Disable the image preview, which displays when a user hovers over an app's icon on the taskbar and switch to Task View (Windows + Tab)?

Md. Niaz Mahmud 171

How can I Customize or Disable the image preview , which displays when a user hovers over an app's icon on the taskbar? And, Switch to Task View (Windows + Tab) programmatically in WPF code? I need this to hide content of app when user hover over app icon or go to taskview. Please help. :)

Task-View

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Answer 1

Hui Liu-MSFT 48,676 Microsoft External Staff

Hi,@Md. Niaz Mahmud. Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum.

You could try to interact with the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) API to capture and manipulate thumbnail previews of specific applications. For specific code, you can refer to the solution https://stackoverflow.com/a/17486560 and the links therein.

This code registers a thumbnail for a specified window and updates the thumbnail properties. You also seem to be trying to capture the content of a specified window.

Registering Thumbnail: The code registers a thumbnail of a specified window successfully using the DwmRegisterThumbnail method. This is the first step in creating a live thumbnail of the window.

Updating Thumbnail: The UpdateThumb method updates the properties of the thumbnail, making it visible and specifying its destination. It also specifies the opacity of the thumbnail. These are crucial steps for controlling how the thumbnail appears.

Please note that working with the DWM API is complex, and the code represents only a part of what would be needed to create a full-featured application with live previews. Additionally, this kind of low-level interaction with the system can have unexpected behavior and might not be appropriate for all use cases. Always consider the user experience and the impact on system stability when implementing such functionality.

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Md. Niaz Mahmud 171 Reputation points

2023-10-23T11:00:49.23+00:00

Thank you for your reply. But Is there any framework callback which tells app that app icon on taskbar is being hovered or we are going to taskview? As I need to hide my app content from app thumbnail on taskbar hover and taskview.
Hui Liu-MSFT 48,676 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-10-24T09:25:19.71+00:00

Hi,@Md. Niaz Mahmud. You could try to check out Customize an Iconic Thumbnail and a Live Preview Bitmap and the sampleon Github. Hope it helps you.
Md. Niaz Mahmud 171 Reputation points

2023-10-25T02:12:10.1933333+00:00

Hello Thanks for your response. But is there any callback which tells that we are going to taskview or app thumbnail is being shown? need to hide my app content when app thumbnail is shown in taskview or when in taskbar appview.
Hui Liu-MSFT 48,676 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-10-25T08:54:00.38+00:00

Hi,@Md. Niaz Mahmud. I responded in your new question, where you could check the responses.

Has this issue with your current thread been resolved? If so, you could accept the solution that helps you as the answer. It's helpful for community members with related questions.

Answer 2

Castorix31 90,521

You can delete or change it with ITaskbarList3

(I tested by changing the thumbnail with ITaskbarList3::SetThumbnailClip but it only changes it in the Taskbar)

(deleting it removes the Taskbar button and also the image in Task View)

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[WPF] Customize or Disable the image preview, which displays when a user hovers over an app's icon on the taskbar and switch to Task View (Windows + Tab)?

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