How to make a window more modern

Question

I created a simple window using the Win32 API with C ++. The window is displayed well, but there is no style to it, and thus, all of the buttons, etc. The window appears in Windows 95 / Me-style confrontation as modern windows 7. So, how do I get the modern look?

I tried using the xml methods described here ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb773175%28v=vs.85%29.aspx ), but the program does not compile. I believe that it is because I use the compiler MinGW as opposition VC ++ compiler, but I could be wrong. Besides, now I'm trying to use SetWindowTheme function, but I'm not sure how it works and how to enable it.

Some notes that may be causing the problem:

• I do not use IDE, just MakeFile
• I am using the MinGW compiler

Answer 1

The manifest file must be included as a resource in your executable file. Something VS is almost automatically for you; This can be done with MinGW, it's just a little confusing. Take a look at this tutorial in the "Enabling visual styles."

Although in the textbook shows the appearance winxp, not worry; after will be created visual styles, they will appear as a native theme of your machine.