SendKeys to another application's form

Question

I created a Process. That one has a MainWindow I want to SendKeys.Send("+F") (CTRL+F) to, but I don't know how to do this.

So how is this done?

Answer 1

For Ctrl key you need to precede the key code with ^. something like:

SendKeys.Send("^F");

Check here for more information.

Answer 2

You'll need something like the following to set focus to an external window:

public class Form1 : Form
{
    [DllImport("user32.dll")]
    static extern bool SetForegroundWindow(IntPtr hWnd);

    private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        Process[] process = Process.GetProcessesByName("notepad");

        if (process.Length > 0)
            SetForegroundWindow(process[0].MainWindowHandle);
    }
}

Answer 3

Hope the following helps. This maximized WMP then sends Ctrl+P to play the paused music:

[DllImport("user32.dll")]
static extern bool ShowWindow(IntPtr hWnd, uint nCmdShow);

[DllImport("user32.dll")]
[return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
static extern bool SetForegroundWindow(IntPtr hWnd);

IntPtr handle = FindWindow(null, "Windows Media Player");
if (handle != IntPtr.Zero)
{
    // Maximize WMP
    ShowWindow(handle, (uint) WindowShowStyle.Maximize);
    // Use SwitchToThisWindow(handle, false) OR SetForegroundWindow(handle)
    SetForegroundWindow(handle);
    // Make sure the window is brought to the froeground
    Thread.Sleep(200);
    // Use SendKeys OR SendInput API
    SendKeys.SendWait("^p");
    // Minimize WMP
    ShowWindow(handle, (uint)WindowShowStyle.Minimize);
}