Contents
WinSpy++

Version 1.5

Copyright 2001-2002 Catch22 Productions

How to use WinSpy++

Overview

Window layout

The Window Finder Tool

System Window List

Hints and tips

Keyboard Reference

Information

About Catch22

Conditions of use

Copyright information


Aim of the game
Overview

WinSpy++ is a Win32 programmer’s utility, which can be used to select, view and modify the properties of any window in your system. These are just a few of the features on offer.

•	Powerful window selection mechanism lets you select any window in the system, including hidden windows.

•	Display and modify the styles for any window.

•	View window properties (set using the SetProp API call).

•	View complete child and sibling window relationships.

•	View scrollbar positional information.

•	View full window class information.

•	Browse the complete global window hierarchy.

•	Automatically extract passwords from password-edit controls!


Window Layout

When you first start WinSpy++, you will be presented with the following window.

This is the minimized layout, and is the first of three different window layouts which WinSpy++ supports. The other two layouts (normal and expanded) provide additional information. These layouts can be displayed by simply resizing the window.

There are five important elements to this interface. Mastering these elements will ensure you gain the maximum potential from using WinSpy++.

The Window Finder Tool is the cross-hair graphic on the left of the window. By clicking on and dragging the finder-tool, you can select a window to spy on. Learn more about the Window Finder Tool.

The two check boxes on the right side of the window control how WinSpy++ locates windows.

Hidden Windows causes hidden (as well as visible) windows to be highlighted when the find-tool cross hair moves over them. These windows would not normally be accessible without a tool such as WinSpy++.

Minimize WinSpy++ causes the window layout to automatically shrink to the minimized layout when a window is being selected with the find-tool. The layout is restored to its previous state once a window has been selected.

The Pin push-button controls how WinSpy++ resizes when you switch layouts. With the pin “pushed in”, WinSpy++ will intelligently resize to keep the entire window on-screen. You can toggle the pin-button by using the F4 function key.

The Sizing Grip allows you to resize the WinSpy++ window into any one of the three different layout schemes.

Shrinking and expanding the window layout

There are several ways to switch window layouts.

The first is to select a window with the find tool. WinSpy++ will automatically expand to display the window’s properties.

The second way is to double-click on the title bar.  This action causes the window layout to toggle between the maximized and minimized window layouts.

The third way is to manually resize the window borders. The window will intuitively “snap” into each layout as you resize the window borders.

You can also use the function keys to switch layouts. The F2 function key toggles between the minimized and expanded views. The F3 function key cycles between all three of the layouts.


Window finder tool

The Window Finder Tool is the key to using WinSpy++.

Simply click and drag the cross hair around the screen to select a window. The window currently under the cross hair is highlighted to show it as selected. When you have selected a window, release the mouse. WinSpy++ will then display the window’s properties.

There are three special hotkeys, which can be used when dragging the finder tool.

Control	Toggle the WinSpy++ window layout.

Shift	Show / Hide the WinSpy++ window.

C	Capture the contents of the currently selected window to the clipboard.


Global Window List
System Window List

WinSpy++ can display a hierarchy of every window in the system. To display this list, simply resize the WinSpy++ window to change the current layout.

The window list is displayed in a tree control, to help represent the relationships between parent, child and sibling windows. You can select any item in the tree to display the window’s properties in the main WinSpy++ window.

Each entry in the tree shows several pieces of information.

1.	A bitmap image representing the type of window.

2.	The window’s handle value, in hexadecimal.

3.	The window’s title, or caption, enclosed in quotes.

4.	The window’s class name.

The bitmap image helps to visually represent the type of window, or window class.

Underneath the window list are three buttons. These buttons can be used to manipulate the window list.

Refresh	Updates the window list to reflect any changes in Windows.

Locate	Finds and selects the window in the tree, which is currently being spied upon.

Flash	Briefly highlights the selected window in the tree.


Hints and Tips

This is a collection of useful hints that will maximise your use of WinSpy++

1.	Click on the small icon in WinSpy’s title bar. There are additional menu commands, which have been added to the standard system menu.

2.	Many of the Function Keys (F1 – F12) have a special purpose in WinSpy++. Study the Keyboard Reference carefully to learn what these keys can do for you.

3.	Make WinSpy++ stay above all other windows by selecting Always On Top from the system menu.

4.	You can extract passwords from a password-edit-control, simply by selecting that control. WinSpy++ will display the password in the window caption field, in the General tab.


Keyboard Reference

WinSpy++ supports several keyboard short-cuts which allow for faster, more efficient working.

General Commands

Alt + C	Capture the contents of the current window.

Alt + Enter	Display the Options dialog box.

Shift + Y	Place the WinSpy++ window above all other windows

F1	Display the Help Contents.

F2	Toggle between Minimized and Expanded layouts

F3	Cycle through all three layouts (Minimized, Normal and Expanded).

F4	Pin / Un-pin the WinSpy++ main window.

F5	Refresh the current target window’s information.

F6	Refresh the window tree-view.

F9	Minimize the main window to the Top-Left of the screen.

F10	Minimize the main window to the Bottom-Left of the screen.

F11	Minimize the main window to the Bottom-Right of the screen.

F12	Minimize the main window to the Top-Right of the screen.

Alt + 1	Switch to the General tab.

Alt + 2	Switch to the Styles tab.

Alt + 3	Switch to the Properties tab.

Alt + 4	Switch to the Class tab.

Alt + 5	Switch to the Windows tab.

Alt + 6	Switch to the Scrollbars tab.

Finder Tool Commands

Ctrl	Toggle the window layout.

Shift	Show / Hide WinSpy++.

C	Capture the current window to the clipboard.


About Catch22

Catch22 Productions is a name I have created to publish my personal projects under. Catch22 is a non-profit making company. My real name is James Brown, and I am a professional software engineer specialising in win32 graphics and application programming.

You can visit the Catch22 website by going to www.catch22.uk.net


Conditions of use

WinSpy++ is freeware. That is, you are under no obligation to buy any form of license in order to use it.

You are free to use WinSpy++ in any way you see fit. I can accept no responsibility for any damage, direct or indirect, caused by the use (or misuse) of WinSpy++. If this statement at all worries you then you should remove WinSpy++++ from your computer immediately.


Copyright
Copyright information

WinSpy++ is copyright by Catch22 Productions, 2001-2002.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior permission of the author. Any brand names and trademarks mentioned in the program or in this program help are properties of their respective holders and are generally protected by laws.

No profits may be made in the sale of the WinSpy++ software.