.NET How to check if a Windows process is running as an “App” or as a “Background application”

Question

On Windows 8.1 you go into the task manager and check the list of processes, there are two lists: - One for \"Apps\", which are visible foreground apps - One for \"Backgroun

Answer 1

Normally, if a process is an "App", it should have its own window's name, otherwise, it is a "Background application". Thus the code should be as follow:

Process[] arrProcess = Process.GetProcesses();

foreach (Process process in arrProcess)
{
    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(process.MainWindowTitle))
    {
    //Do something with your App
    }
    else
    {
    //Do something with your Background process
    }
}

Answer 2

The property System.Diagnostics.Process.MainWindowHandle is zero when process has not UI (i.e. is background process).

Answer 3

Services are also usually created by SYSTEM user - the column "User Name" in task manager.