Opening the Messages View

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To open the Messages view for a window, process, or thread

Move the focus to either a Windows, Processes, or Threads view window.
Find the name of the window, process, or thread that you want to examine, and select it.
From the Spy menu, choose Messages.
Select the message options you want.
Click OK to begin logging messages.
From the Messages menu, choose Stop Logging.

The Messages view appears as shown below. Note that the first column contains the window handle, and the second column contains a message code (explained in Message Codes). Decoded message parameters and return values are on the right.

The Messages View Window

For a more direct way to select a window for message stream viewing, use the following procedure.

To open the Messages view for a visible window using the Message Options dialog box

Arrange your windows so that both Spy++ and the subject window are visible.
From the Spy menu, choose Messages.
From the Windows tab, drag the Finder Tool to the window you want.
As you drag the tool, Window details appear in the dialog box.
Click OK to begin logging messages.
From the Messages menu, choose Stop Logging.

Tip To reduce screen clutter, select the Hide Spy option in the Find Window dialog box. This removes the main Spy++ window and leaves the Find Window dialog box visible on top of your other applications. The Spy++ main window will be restored when you choose the OK or Cancel button, or by clearing the Hide Spy option.