How to disable System HotKeys?

[TheGreyBeast]

I want to create a 3d program using OpenGL and Software rendering (gdi). The main problem are the system hotkeys, because I don't want the user to be able to minimize/activate startmenu/press ALT-TAB, etc..

I know, using DirectDraw, SetCooperativeLevel with DDSCL_EXCLUSIVE|DDSCL_FULLSCREEN will solve the hotkey problem (not quite, really, CTRL-ALT-DEL is still working?!?)..

anyway, the point is I don't use DirectX.. I use OpenGL and (maybe) later I'll add support for a software rendering (even that one is using the gdi, not DirectDraw).

First, I tried SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETSCREENSAVERRUNNING,0,&old,0); and it worked ok on Win95/Win98/WinMe, but it didn't work on WinNT/2000/XP... then I tried the RegisterHotKey(0,0,MOD_ALT,VK_TAB); to eliminate AT LEAST the ALT-TAB, and guess what? It worked ONLY on NT family (didn't work on Win9x/Me)... but this RegisterHotKey is not so good because it disables ONLY the ALT-TAB... anyone know of such a function, to disable all the system hotkeys in NT family, like the SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETSCREENSAVERRUNNING...) does on Win9x? what is that SetCooperativeLevel doing so special anyway??

thanks in advance,
Grey Beast

There is something in each of us we don't know. Something with great power.

 

[TheGreyBeast]

Ooops.. I made a mistake... it seems SystemParametersInfo(SPI_SETSCREENSAVERRUNNING, 1, &old, 0); will disable hotkeys...

There is something in each of us we don't know. Something with great power.

 

[jkim123]

This post is perfect. Took me a long time to find someone who knew what he was doing.

I'm running a kiosk type facility. I need to disable ALT-TAB combinations (for many reasons).

I am NOT a programmer of any sort. What I'd like to have, is 2 "files". 1 file, when I click it, will disable alt-tab combinations. The other file, when I click, will re-enable the combination.

Is there any such thing in existance? Or can someone write it for me?

Again, I'm NOT a programmer, so if you reply with 300 lines of code, I will have NO idea what to do with it.

I'm sorry for making my first post here so demanding, but I'm desperate.


Thanks to whomever in advance.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

You can find yourself a local programmer that can you a simple little application that will go to the registry and change a single value of a key from 1 to 0.
The key in the registry is

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\CoolSwitch

You need to alternate the values between 1 (enabled ALT-TAB) and 0 (disable ALT-TAB). As most changes in the registry, this will require a reboot between changes to take effect.

N.B. This works for most versions of windows.

Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first.
ReFox XI (www.mcrgsoftware.com)

 

[madonnac]

Save this file as Enable Alt-tab.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"CoolSwitch"="1"

Save this one as Disable Atl-tab.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"CoolSwitch"="0"