[2008] [Vista] MDI Child windows not Aero-themed

[NickThissen]

Hi,

I guess most people using Windows Vista are aware of this 'problem': MDI child windows are always displayed in the Vista Basic theme (standard gray/blue titlebar) even when the main window is displayed with the Vista Aero theme (transparant glass titlebar).

I realize this is probably 'baked' into windows, but is there anything I can do about this? I would like my MDI windows to have the current windows theme aswell instead of the standard theme always...
Any API calls maybe??

I have searched google and only found one blog post, which basically stated the poster did not know how to change it but was determined to find the answer or something (there were no comments or follow ups so I guess he never did find out...)

If it can't be done just tell me and I'm done with it lol...

[RobDog888]

An MDI Child form is not a top level parent Form/Window so its probably the fact that a child form shouldnt have the same titlebar effects when running Aero. I dont thnk I have seen any MDI app with Aero. Word is a good example.

[NickThissen]

No, I have a few professional MDI applications but none have Aero MDI childs either, that's why I already thought there was nothing you could do about it... Still doesn't hurt to ask does it?

Still I think it is pretty foolish to leave MDI childs in the default theme... I think (untested) that even if you use some custom theme the mdi childs still display the vista standard theme, like they are somehow forgotten in the themeing process..?

[RobDog888]

No, I dont think they are forgetting it. I think as if it was a possiblity or feature MS would have placed it in their Office apps. Office 2007 does not support Aero in the MDI Child Forms.

Now that is not really saying its not possible, just that either MS had a good reason for not providing it or it just wasnt in the budget to implement.