Abstract: Systems and methods for managing window transparency for a computer display, making windows wholly transparent or semi-transparent, on a window-by-window basis. Window transparency is triggered by monitoring messages exchanged between a program and an operating system, or by a user action. Upon detection of a first message indicating that a window of the display should be transparent, a layered display mode for the window is initiated. Upon detection of a second message indicating that the window should no longer be transparent, the layered display mode for the window is terminated. The layered mode can be controlled by the operating system or by a graphics processor.

Abstract: A first process executing in a computer system creates thread-level message hooks within a second process executing in the computer system. A copy of a global notification hook of the first process is created in the second process. The copy detects a triggering message passed to or from a thread of the second process and determines when and whether to activate a thread-level message hook within the second process; the thread-level message hook is configured to monitor subsequent messages passed to or from the thread of the second process and may take various actions in response to any such messages.

Abstract: A first process executing in a computer system creates thread-level message hooks within a second process executing in the computer system. A copy of a global notification hook of the first process is created in the second process. The copy detects a triggering message passed to or from a thread of the second process and determines when and whether to activate a thread-level message hook within the second process; the thread-level message hook is configured to monitor subsequent messages passed to or from the thread of the second process and may take various actions in response to any such messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing window transparency for a computer display, making windows wholly transparent or semi-transparent, on a window-by-window basis. Window transparency is triggered by monitoring messages exchanged between a program and an operating system, or by a user action. Upon detection of a first message indicating that a window of the display should be transparent, a layered display mode for the window is initiated. Upon detection of a second message indicating that the window should no longer be transparent, the layered display mode for the window is terminated. The layered mode can be controlled by the operating system or by a graphics processor.