How to catch Windows os events? (C#)

Question

I want to loging all programs and files what user had opened, to create own frequently used programs list in Windows using C# programming language. Thanks for helping.

You can track all processes that are started, see http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1986249/c-process-monitor — Adrian Fâciu, Jan 09 '11 at 18:02
@Adrian Faciu, that solution will have performance implications — HABJAN, Jan 09 '11 at 18:07
@HABJAN: Perhaps, but not nearly as bad performance as the polling method you suggested. — Ben Voigt, Jan 09 '11 at 19:40

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 09 '11 at 18:01

There is no easy way to accomplish this. Windows does not provide such events.

What you can do is:

Each couple of seconds loop thru all opened windows or running processes and get their informations. For windows enumeration you can use logic from: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/cs/WindowTabifier.aspx
You can use methods like injecting dll into the taskmanager, hooking the TerminateProcess in Kernel32.. etc.. Related sample: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/threads/taskex.aspx,

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 09 '11 at 18:01

Process[] processlist = Process.GetProcesses();

foreach(Process theprocess in processlist){
Console.WriteLine(“Process: {0} ID: {1}”, theprocess.ProcessName, theprocess.Id);
}

This will give you the details of the process that is currently running, can't you periodically review this list to find new applicatons launched.

How to catch Windows os events? (C#)

2 Answers2