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c++winapicomctl32visual-stylesactivation-context-api

How to enable visual styles without a manifest

According to the docs:

"If you want your application to use ComCtl32.dll version 6, you must add an application manifest or compiler directive to specify that version 6 should be used if it is available."

Notice the logical OR above? So what is this mysterious compiler directive?

I've got a native Win32 C++ application that is wholly contained in a single .cpp file. There are no resource files, manifest files, etc. I'd like to keep it that way, but I would also like to use visual styles.

Solution

  • If you're using Visual Studio, you can add this line to your stdafx.cpp for example:

    #pragma comment(linker,"\"/manifestdependency:type='win32' name='Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls' version='6.0.0.0' processorArchitecture='*' publicKeyToken='6595b64144ccf1df' language='*'\"")