How does a screen blurring software work (such as Antisnooper) work?

Question

Antisnooper is a screen blurring software that could blur registered windows when mouse is not hovering on it.

Does anyone know how this is implemented? Could this be implemented to various Linux GUI desktops manager too?

score -1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 03 '18 at 13:07

Let me answer my own question after some research.

It is not possible for a Windows app to blur client area of another Windows app. If this is allowed, it wouls violate security constrains of an OS; Unless the first app is the OS window manager.
Windows 8 and 8.1 support Aero Glass Transparency with Blur feature. However this feature was removed in Windows 10. It was later partially re-enabled for Start Menu and Taskbar in a major Windows update in 2018.
[Aero Glass for Windows 8.x+][1], a donate-ware uses software hooks to re-implement such this features for Windows 10. However the solution is Windows binary dependent. A new Windows update may break the operation.

So, unless Windows 10 has re-introduced the aero glass completely, it shall not be possible.

If you have found a good solution, please post here. Thanks.

1 Answers1