Visual Basic 6 - Disable Windows Function (Start Bar, CTRL+ALT+DELETE)?

Question

I am an A2 student studying computing and have been asked to produce an electronic voting system.

I would like to know if there is any method of disabling the start bar and any other windows commands that could be used to get around the always on top feature I have implemented? I want the users of the system to only have the ability to work on the vb form.

Answer 1

What you seek is rather complex. Even though it may be complex, it is a commonly performed function in Windows Programming .



The easiest method for you to do what you want is to purchase third party software that will turn your computer into "kiosk mode." Look up kiosk mode in Google. In kiosk mode, you can turn off/on specific machine features and functions. As an example, this is what you see on some of the robot internet computers that take credit cards and only surf the web--you just can't get to the operating system.



Another method is to create a "keyboard hook." This isn't too complicated; however, you should be familiar with DLL's and how to load and call them. This is what I commonly do for high value programs that run on mission critical machines. This is also how the kiosk mode vendors program their applications.



If you'd like to see an excellent article and source code of the DLL (in C++) and "usage" examples in VB and VC, follow the source below.

Answer 2

To disable the start menu, simply disable explorer.exe from starting as the shell.



You can't disable Ctrl+Alt+Del as it is a kernel-level shortcut, but you can disable Task Manager and such via Group Policy.



Start > Run > gpedit.msc



UPDATE: You CANNOT create a keyboard hook for Ctrl+Alt+Del unless you somehow create your own version of winlogon.exe, which is pretty near impossible.



The start menu, taskbar, and icons on the desktop are handled by explorer.exe. Open regedit, and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon and change the "Shell" key to the full path of your VB executable.



No need for purchasing "kiosk mode" software. Everything you want can be done with a few simple tweaks to a standard copy of Windows.

Answer 3

Well to completely take away both go to ctrl+alt+delete and go to processes then go to taskmgr.exe and end process and for the start menu i think its explorer.exe (windows explorer) or something BUT! WHATEVER YOU DELETE COMES BACK WHEN YOU TURN OFF AND ON YOUR COMPUTER SO ITS OK TO DO IT. but to permanently take away you have to go to properties on windows task bar column and do something there. Then if you need for the start menu to go awaydo that too.



beeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!



BUT IF YOU JUST WANT TO FOOL THE PERSON YOU DO IT A DIFFERENT WAY.









BECAUSE you could always hover over the start bar and click properties then go to start menu and customize it so there nothing on it. Then you can go to taskbar after and auto-hide toolbar.