Is there an API that allows access to the Windows XP Taskbar?

Question

I have a process that I want to run on windows startup, but I don't want to run it until another process has finished its startup, which is indicated by the presence of an icon in the taskbar. Is there a way to list, programatically, all of the icons that currently appear in the taskbar?

I'm using Windows XP professional, and am comfortable with both Java and .Net.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't believe you can query the taskbar itself but you can determine which processes are currently running http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms682623(VS.85).aspx.



The other thing you could try is to see if it is in the alt tab list (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/210504/enumerate-windows-like-alt-tab-does)

Answer 2

This MS KB article describes using the "Shell_traywnd" reference to hide/unhide the task bar programmatically. Might want to use that as a starting point. Never tried what you are doing so can't say that this works, but that's the starting path I'd take.

Answer 3

Your best bet for api calls would be using visual basic and creating windows 32 based applications. I know the api call for visual basic, when you get that, let me know