We Keep Coding

Closed form still showing in taskbar

Creating a multi-form program linked to a database with login features in c#.
Tried moving between forms using show(), showdialog() and close(), dispose(), hide().
Once past the login form, the program will not properly close the forms.
It closes the form so the user can no longer access its controls, however, the 'closed' form remains completely visible in the windows taskbar and tab menus.
The user can even hover over the taskbar icon for said 'closed' form and see all the information there!
As the program will be handling sensitive personal information. I need help to stop this problem from happening.
Code from a back button on secondary form aimed to completely close the active form and open the main form.
"Curform" is defined outside the method as it is used in multiple buttons within the program.
Form CurForm = Form.ActiveForm;
public void Btn_Back_Click()
{
var MainForm = new MainForm();
MainForm.Show();
CurForm.Close();
}

Use directly active form instead of curForm
Form.ActiveForm.Close();
If you want to use curForm in other parts of the code update curForm when you have created the new form, like this:
Form CurForm;
public void Btn_Back_Click()
{
CurForm= new MainForm();
CurForm.Show();
// Do some things
CurForm.Close();
}

Two winforms one modal dialog situation

I have two open winforms, say that winform1 gets a modal dialog, this means that all forms(winform1 and winform2) will be "disabled". If we minimize all forms and then bring up winform1, then the modal dialog will be shown above it. If we again minimize all the forms but this time brings up winform2, it will look like the finform2 is ready to be used while its really disabled like winform1.
What I need is to clearly show that the modal dialog needs to be handled before using winform2 again.
Is there anything built in to handle this or am I on my own here?

In your winform2.Activated event handler, call this:
static void FocusModalForm()
{
foreach (Form form in Application.OpenForms)
if (form.Modal)
{
form.WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal;
form.BringToFront();
}
}
e.g.
Form f2 = new Form();
f2.Activated += (_, __) => FocusModalForm();
f2.Show();
You may need to do the same thing for winform1's Activated event. It depends how winform2 gets created. Just try it and if you find that winform1 (or any other nonmodal form) is still able to get in front of the modal form, just call FocusModalForm() from its Activated event.
I tried this in Windows 7. I tried hiding all windows (click the Show Desktop button on the taskbar) and then selecting form2 directly from the taskbar, and I also tried just selecting form2 from the taskbar without hiding all windows. Form3 always stayed on top.

I have a similiar app (vb.net) where win1 calls win2 & win2 displays win3 and it works as you would like but wins 2 & 3 are both modal. I don't know if that is why it works or not. Perhaps that is an option for you?

If you do this:
var winform2 = new Winform2();
winform2.Show(winform1);
Then winform2 will always be shown above winform1, but it won't be modal. May be this can help you.

How to minimize a winforms app when there is at least one modal window opened

I have two form classes (Form1 and Form2) in a Winforms App.
Form1 is like this:
Form2 is like this (ShowInTaskbar = false):
And this code on Form1:
Form2 someForm = new Form2();
private void btOpenAnotherWindow_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (someForm.ShowDialog(this) == DialogResult.OK)
MessageBox.Show("OK!!!");
else
MessageBox.Show("Not OK.");
}
That is, a window with a button which opens modally another windows when clicked, and waits for the user to close the second window (by clicking the "OK" or "Cancel" button). And depending how it was closed, do alternating actions (represented here by the MessageBox.Show() calls).
I need:
The user can use only one window at a time. (Modal forms, That's why I used ShowDialog() instead of Show())
When the form closes, do something depending on how the form was closed (the "if (someForm.ShowDialog(this)...")
To be able (as a user) to minimize the WHOLE APP.
To be able to "unminimize" the app to the former state correctly.
The program to respond to WIN+M (minimize all) keys combination.
the above example fails in two ways:
(need 5) Doesn't respond to WIN+M
(need 3) The app seems to minimize when the Minimize title bar button is clicked, but it is an illusion because the main form (Form1) does not minimize and it is in fact just hidden behind the other opened windows. Only running the example with an empty desktop shows what really happens. Pics follow:
Before Minimize button is clicked:
After:
Note:
The Main form is not minimized
The Form2 is in the left botton corner of the screen.
Form2 is a full blown window (not a dialog window per se) and I need the user to interact with it only until it is closed and I also need the user to be able to miminize the whole app in case he needs it.
It is a shame I can't post here the real forms, It would be clearer than these mock-ups.
I need a solution that works with many levels of modal windows (not only two as this example shows). Any suggestions?

I may need a little more information about what you're trying to do here. I have a simple form (Form1) with a button on it, which calls this code:
private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Form1 form2 = new Form1();
form2.ShowDialog();
}
When I click the button, I get a second instance of the same form, but it's modal. I still have the option to minimize this second modal form (I obviously can't interact with the first form), and when I do minimize the second form it does minimize the entire application (both forms). Now obviously you're asking the question, so I don't think I'm understanding you. =) What about this scenario do you wish to change?
C

There is probably some way to hack this functionality using API calls, but I would probably suggest doing some type of overlay with a control inside your main form rather than an actual window. This would allow you to make it "modal" and still have the ability to minimize/resize the main window.

Show a form from another form

When I want to Display a form (C#) by clicking a button in another form I usually create an object from the form that I want to show and use the show method :
Form2 f2 = new Form2();
f2.Show();
or I work with the "Owner" :
Form2 tempForm = new Form2();
this.AddOwnedForm(tempForm);
tempForm.Show();
the two ways generate the same results but what is the best and what are the differences between them?

The only difference apart from the naming is that in the second you call AddOwnedForm, and in the first you do not. Looking at the documentation we see:
When a form is owned by another form, it is minimized and closed with the owner form. For example, if Form2 is owned by form Form1, if Form1 is closed or minimized, Form2 is also closed or minimized. Owned forms are also never displayed behind their owner form. You can use owned forms for windows such as find and replace windows, which should not be displayed behind the owner form when the owner form is selected.
So if you want this behavior of the forms being minimized together, and one always being shown above the other, use AddOwnedForm. If you don't want this behavior, don't use it.

Microsoft uses Form f = new Form(); f.Show(); by default when creating a new Windows Forms project to show the main form, and there is probably negligible difference (in performance) between such methods. Using the Show() method, instead of just setting f.Visible = true; is also more logical.
When you use AddOwnedForm() you essentially lock the forms together in such way that when one form is minimized, the other is also. The form is also always displayed on top of the owning form, similar to a modal dialog.

csharp winform modal window, able to click on main window

language c#, winform
how do i create a modal window or such a thing that when it still showing
i would still be able to click or interact with the main window..
thanks.
put some code please or links..

Make the dialog non-modal (use Show instead of ShowDialog), and make it top-most (TopMost = true)

Just use the overload of Form.Show() that takes a form as a parameter, like this:
Form f = new Form();
f.Show(this);
This will keep the form always on top of the form that calls it, but still let you click and access the calling form.

Some confusion here I think;
Modal is when the window blocks the underlying window, and must be closed to enable the underlying window to regain control. Form.ShowDialog(owner) is used to accomplish this.
Non-Modal is a window that is opened "in parallell" to the underlying window. Both windows can be accessed and respond to mouse and key events. Form.Show(owner) to accomplish this.

Modality by definition means that you are not able to click anywhere else. You can create another form and show it with Show() method.

Show() Method allows you to click anywhere while ShowDialog() won't