Windows messages provide the means of communication between the Windows system and applications, as well as among applications, in a nonpreemptive multitasking environment. For more information on topics related to Windows messages, see the following:
| Topic | Reference |
| Message-processing functions | Windows Programming Reference: Chapter 1, “Window Manager Interface Functions” |
| Function descriptions | Windows Programming Reference: Chapter 4, “Functions Directory” |
| Message descriptions | Windows Programming Reference: Chapter 6, “Messages Directory” |
| Windows data types and structures | Windows Programming Reference: Chapter 7, “Data Types and Structures” |