How to use WS_EX_LAYERED on child controls

Question

Since windows 8, WS_EX_LAYERED is available to use on child controls, (so says MSDN) However I\'ve been unable to make it work. In the following code, I\'m trying to make

Answer 1

Thanks to the link @Hans suggested I have found the answer. A manifest entry is required that specifies at least Windows 8 compatibility (child layering support only started with Windows 8). The following should be included as a manifest file for anyone wanting to use layered child windows.

<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
  <compatibility xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:compatibility.v1"> 
    <application>
      <!--The ID below indicates app support for Windows 8 -->
      <supportedOS Id="{4a2f28e3-53b9-4441-ba9c-d69d4a4a6e38}"/>
    </application>
  </compatibility>
  <dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity
            type="win32"
            name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
            version="6.0.0.0"
            processorArchitecture="*"
            publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
            language="*"
        />
    </dependentAssembly>
  </dependency>
</assembly>

For the purposes of completeness, I've included the entire file but the relevant tag is the <compatibility> element specifying the GUID for Windows 8.

You may declare compatibility for other OS versions too, as described at the docs page "Targeting your application for Windows".