Display form on top in current software but not in other applications

Question

In my software, I am showing a form using form.Show(). This form should be on top, for that I am using -

form.TopMost = true;

When I open other applications while my software is still running, this inner form is shown on top of other applications too.

I need to use form.Show() because I want other parts of master form accessible while inner form is shown. So I can't use form.ShowDialog(). Not duplicate of How can I bring my application window to the front?

Possible duplicate of [How can I bring my application window to the front?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5282588/how-can-i-bring-my-application-window-to-the-front) — Zoltán Tamási, Feb 15 '17 at 07:20
@ZoltánTamási The issue here is to show the form on top in current software but not in other applications. — Arpit Gupta, Feb 15 '17 at 07:25
My answer won't *force* the form on top of other applications, like `TopMost` does. Also, what is the sens in showing a form on top of your software when it's not active? — Zoltán Tamási, Feb 15 '17 at 07:32
@ZoltánTamási I wished it works but its not working. There is some background activity on master form while the child form is active or inactive. So it needed to be shown. — Arpit Gupta, Feb 15 '17 at 09:24
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20050607-00/?p=35413 — Reza Aghaei, Feb 15 '17 at 09:28
@ZoltánTamási Thanks, I achieved the behavior I wanted. I posted answer below. — Arpit Gupta, Feb 15 '17 at 11:20

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

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The only really robust technique was suggested in this answer, as follows.

form.WindowState = FormWindowState.Minimized;
form.Show();
form.WindowState = FormWindowState.Normal;

edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

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answered Feb 15 '17 at 07:20

Zoltán Tamási

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Arpit Gupta · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-17T04:01:16.660

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Answering my own question- To achieve the above purpose, there is a need of creating an owned window by displaying it with the Show(owner) overload. Or by explicitly assigning its Owner property. No need to keep form.TopMost = true. Instead, It should be -

form.TopLevel = true; //Its true by default.
form.Show(this);

edited Feb 17 '17 at 04:01

answered Feb 15 '17 at 11:18

Arpit Gupta

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Display form on top in current software but not in other applications

2 Answers2