SystemParametersInfo() Add-On Gets or Sets System Parameters

Last reviewed: April 7, 1997
Article ID: Q125695
4.00 WINDOWS kbui

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) included with Microsoft Windows 95

The SystemParametersInfo() API provides functionality to get or set many Windows System Parameters based on the action flag if Windows extension #1 is installed. Here are some examples:

  • The Full Window Drag system parameter can be retrieved or set by using SPI_GETDRAGFULLWINDOWS/SPI_SETDRAGFULLWINDOWS as the action flag in the SystemParametersInfo() API. When full drag windows is enabled, users can move entire windows instead of just moving the outline. This makes it easier to see how a window looks while being resized. This feature is not available with Windows, so calling SystemParametersInfo using the SPI_GETDRAGFULLWINDOWS or SPI_SETDRAGFULLWINDOWS flag will always fail. However, this feature will be available if an add-on product, Windows extension #1, is installed.
  • The Font Smoothing setting can be retrieved or set by using SPI_GETFONTSMOOTHING or SPI_SETFONTSMOOTHING as the action flag in the SystemParametersInfo() API. Enabling this system setting tells Windows to draw smooth characters using font anti-aliasing. This feature is not available with Windows. Thus the call to SystemParametersInfo with the SPI_GETFONTSMOOTHING or SPI_SETFONTSMOOTHING flag will always fail. However, this Font Smoothing feature will be available if an add-on product, Windows extension #1, is installed.
  • SystemParametersInfo(SPI_GETWINDOWSEXTENSION, 1, 0, 0) returns true if Windows extension #1 is installed otherwise false. The Second parameter denotes Windows extension #1.


Additional reference words: 4.00 95
KBCategory: kbui
KBSubcategory: UsrWndw
Keywords : UsrWndw kbui
Version : 4.00
Platform : WINDOWS


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: April 7, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.