[SOLVED] C++Builder subform doesn't show on taskbar and minimize is placed on the desktop not the taskbar?

C++Builder subform doesn't show on taskbar and minimize is placed on the desktop not the taskbar?

Using C++Builder and opening a vcl subform with ShowModal() results with no taskbar entry and minimize doesn't minimize to taskbar (it's placed in lower left of the desktop).

Is there a setting I should enable for that to occur?

TIA!!

Solution

Only a top-level unowned window that has the WS_EX_APPWINDOW style applied to it will automatically appear on the Taskbar.

By default, sub-forms are owned by either the active TForm, the TApplication::MainForm, or the TApplication window, depending on various criteria at the time the sub-form is displayed. Thus, why they do not appear on the Taskbar.

If you want a sub-form to appear on the Taskbar, you can either:

override its virtual CreateParams() method to set the TCreateParams::WndParent field to 0 (or to the desktop HWND returned by GetDesktopWindow()), and to add the WS_EX_APPWINDOW style to the TCreateParams::ExStyle field.
alternatively, use ITaskbarList::AddTab() to manually add a button to the Taskbar and associate it with the HWND returned by the sub-form's Handle property.