The Old New Thing

Practical development throughout the evolution of Windows.

Latest posts

How can I get the tab index number from a dialog box control?
Jan 16, 2026
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How can I get the tab index number from a dialog box control?

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

The tab index number is an authoring concept, not a runtime concept.

When programs assume that the system will never change, episode 4: Stealing strings
Jan 15, 2026
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When programs assume that the system will never change, episode 4: Stealing strings

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

The strings are an implementation detail.

Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location, part 3
Jan 14, 2026
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Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location, part 3

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Finding <I>all</I> the clipping parents.

Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location, part 2
Jan 13, 2026
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Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location, part 2

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Finding the correct clipping parent.

Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location
Jan 12, 2026
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Clipping the focus item when looking for its on-screen location

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Preventing the cursor from pointing to nothing.

Using Active Accessibility to find out where the focus item is
Jan 9, 2026
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Using Active Accessibility to find out where the focus item is

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Looking at child objects.

Using Active Accessibility to find out where the Windows caret is
Jan 8, 2026
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Using Active Accessibility to find out where the Windows caret is

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

It's old and rather simple, but we like simple.

How can I find out where the Windows caret is?
Jan 7, 2026
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How can I find out where the Windows caret is?

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

You'll have go to a larger scope.

Swapping two blocks of memory that reside inside a larger block, in constant memory, refinement
Jan 6, 2026
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Swapping two blocks of memory that reside inside a larger block, in constant memory, refinement

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Could do with a little less rotating.