How to make running WPF application window transparent?

Question

I have a piece of AutoHotKey script that allows me to set transparency on an active window but it does not work with WPF application like Powershell ISE.

Is there a way to do that?

EDIT: As is stated in the question I need to do that on a running WPF app like Powershell ISE.

score 11 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 22 '14 at 08:52

11

Set this in Window element

 AllowsTransparency="True" WindowStyle="None" Background="Transparent"

answered Aug 22 '14 at 08:52

Maximus

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How do I set this on a running WPF app? – Piotr Owsiak Aug 22 '14 at 09:33
You cannot change AllowTransparency and WindowStyle during running, set them at the beginning and then in particular time change background to transparent. – Maximus Aug 22 '14 at 09:43
How do I set them at beginning of running Powershell ISE? – Piotr Owsiak Aug 22 '14 at 17:36

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:51

Hi WPF is based on Direct3D, and is a bit different from win32 and forms which is based on GDI/GDI+.

In WPF you do this in your xaml(see example by maximus) or create your own window style.

There is a post here on how you should do this in WPF.

Another slightly related question.

A style :

<Style TargetType="Window" x:Key="TransparentWindowStyle">
    <Setter Property="WindowStyle" Value="None"/>         
    <Setter Property="AllowsTransparency=" Value="True"/>
    <Setter Property="Background" Value="Transparent"/>
</Style>

Skip the x:Key and it will be applied to all windows or you have to place in app.xaml or a place where it is shared, and apply it to the window. A bit overkill for just 3 properties, but handy if you are going to do other changes, that should be applied to multiple windows.

Hope it helps,

Stian

Where is the XAML for Powershell ISE? – Piotr Owsiak Aug 22 '14 at 09:34 — Piotr Owsiak, Aug 22 '14 at 09:34

How to make running WPF application window transparent?

2 Answers2