Including a Manifest in the project (only exe and dll project type)


A set of new common controls has been included from Windows XP and later versions of Windows, but they only are available to an application if the executable file includes a Manifest. A Manifest is a text file in XML format included as a resource in the executable file, so that it can be able to use the new common controls (see Enabling XP themes).

Easy Code can automatically create and include a Manifest in executable and dll type projects (Visual executable file, Classic executable file and Classic dynamic link library. Please see STARTING EASY CODE). The created file is named Manifest.xml, placed in the Project's Res folder and added to the Manifest node of the Project Explorer, so that it can be edited in the Easy Code environment. If a file with the same name already exists in the Res folder, Easy Code will use the existing one and no new file will be created.

When a new project is created, the Manifest.xml file is generated and included in the project only if the Manifest option of the New project window is selected (please see STARTING EASY CODE). On the other hand, if the project was already created with no Manifest, and you wish to include one, select the Manifest option in the Project Properties.

Even if the Manifest.xml file exists in the Res folder, it will not be included if the Manifest option in the Project Properties is not checked.


IMPORTANT: The GetVersionEx API function will return the Windows 8 OS version (ecWin8) for applications not specifically manifested for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, even if they are running on Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. To manifest your applications for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, the Manifest file has to include some additional lines (for more information, please click this link). The default Manifest.xml file generated by Easy Code when creating a new project, already includes the necessary lines for the application to be manifested properly.

REMARKS: At design time, or when testing a window, all control objects will be shown with the new common controls style only if the Manifest option is selected in the Project Properties. Otherwise, they will be shown with the old controls style.

REMARKS: Take into account that the Manifest.xml file has no effect for Windows systems prior to XP.