This function will allow you to make a window unfocusable. An unfocusable window can be interacted with, but not focused. Also, it doesn't appear in the Alt-Tab window list, nor does it appear in the Taskbar.

I use this on my Gaim Buddy List so that it doesn't get in the way when I'm Alt-Tabbing around.

use Win32::API;
use Win32::GuiTest 'FindWindowLike';

use constant SW_SHOW          => 0x5;
use constant SW_HIDE          => 0x0;
use constant GWL_EXSTYLE      => -20;
use constant WS_EX_NOACTIVATE => 0x8000000;

sub unfocusable_window {
  my $win = shift;
  my ($hwnd) = FindWindowLike(undef, $win)
    or die "Couldn't find window $win\n";

  my $style = GetWindowLong($hwnd, GWL_EXSTYLE);
  $style |= WS_EX_NOACTIVATE;

  ShowWindow($hwnd, SW_HIDE);
  SetWindowLong($hwnd, GWL_EXSTYLE, $style);
  ShowWindow($hwnd, SW_SHOW);
}

sub focusable_window {
  my $win = shift;
  my ($hwnd) = FindWindowLike(undef, $win)
    or die "Couldn't find window $win\n";

  my $style = GetWindowLong($hwnd, GWL_EXSTYLE);
  $style &= ~WS_EX_NOACTIVATE;

  ShowWindow($hwnd, SW_HIDE);
  SetWindowLong($hwnd, GWL_EXSTYLE, $style);
  ShowWindow($hwnd, SW_SHOW);
}

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In reply to Unfocusable windows on Win32 by bbfu

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