[RESOLVED] [2005] AppBar question. Anyone with WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW experience is welcomed!!

[La Jiraffa]

Hello Everyone, So, i've done my research and my appbar is working "almost" perfect. The problem i'm having is that when the System.Windows.Forms.CreateParams.ExStyle property is set to &H80, I am unable to set form opacity which is truely what this project needs.

I've tried a lot of things but I'm open to suggestions even IF i've already tried them.

Here is how you can replicate the error.

1. Create a new VB.NET 2005 Windows Application.

2. Paste this code within the class in form1.vb

Protected Overrides ReadOnly Property CreateParams() As System.Windows.Forms.CreateParams
        Get
            Dim cp As CreateParams = MyBase.CreateParams
            cp.Style = &HC00000 ' WS_CAPTION 
            cp.Style = &H800000 ' WS_BORDER  
            cp.ExStyle = &H80& Or &H8& ' WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_TOPMOST
 
'Me.Opacity = 0.75
 
            Return cp
        End Get
    End Property

Again, this is for an AppBar program. I am just totally stuck on this. I needed to remove the titlebar... that's why I have the .Styles there. Opacity works fine when I take away the .ExStyle property, but as soon as I turn the form into a toolwindow using &H80 or &H8, the opacity property doesn't work.

Is there a work around to get the opacity to show up on the form?

By the way,

cp.ExStyle = &H80& Or &H8& ' WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_TOPMOST

is required for the rest of the program to function properly. Removing that line for the opacity is not an option.