Design Specifications and Guidelines - Integrating with the System

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Using System Settings and Notifications

The system provides standard metrics and settings for user interface aspects, such as colors, fonts, border width, and drag rectangle (used to detect the start of a drag operation). The system also notifies running applications when its settings change. When your application starts, query the system to set your application's user interface to match the system parameters. This ensures visual and operational consistency. Also, design your application to adjust itself appropriately when the system notifies it of changes to these settings.

Cross-referenceMore Information

The GetSystemMetrics, GetSysColor, and SystemParametersInfo functions and the WM_SETTINGCHANGE message are important to consider when supporting standard system settings. For more information about these system interfaces, see the Microsoft Platform SDK on the MSDN Online Web site at https://msdn.microsoft.com/ui/guide/sdk.asp.

Fundamentals of Designing User Interaction

Windows Interface Components

Design Specifications and Guidelines

Appendixes and References