Microsoft KB Archive/110795

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FIX: MDI Child Window's "Minimize" System Menu Disabled

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Q110795

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1

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SYMPTOMS
After creating a new multiple document interface (MDI) child window in an MDI application, the child window's Minimize System menu option will be disabled after the following actions:


 * 1) The MDI child window is created and in the topmost z-order.
 * 2) The user accesses the MDI child window's System menu through the shortcut keys: ALT+SPACE, RIGHT ARROW.

These actions will cause the child window's System menu to appear with the Minimize menu option disabled. This behavior can be demonstrated with File Manager. From File Manager's Window menu, choose New Window. Next, press ALT+SPACE and then press the RIGHT ARROW key to bring up the new window's System menu. The Minimize option will be disabled.

NOTE: The Minimize menu item is not disabled if the System menu is accessed through the ALT+"-" (minus) shortcut key or the mouse. Also, the Minimize menu item is not disabled if the window is moved.

RESOLUTION
This problem may be avoided if the MDI parent calls GetSystemMenu after creating the MDI child window. If the parent calls GetSystemMenu (hwndMDIChild, TRUE) for the MDI child window, the System menu is reset to the Windows default state, thus eliminating the problem.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in Windows version 3.1 and Windows NT version 3.1. This bug was corrected in Windows 2000.

MORE INFORMATION
Although MDI is supported, it is discouraged. New users find it complicated to understand, so Microsoft is encouraging ISVs to use SDI or greatly simplify their interfaces to act like an SDI (there are some advantages to coding using MDI).

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbMDI kbOSWinNT310bug kbOSWin2000fix kbGrpDSUser kbOSWin310bug kbWndw

Issue type : kbbug

Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTS310xsearch kbWin3xSearch kbWinNT310xSearch kbWinNTW310Search kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310