Is it possible to create and capture totally invisible/hidden window using Windows Graphics Capture API?

Question

Totally invisible means the window is not visible to the user, is not shown on the taskbar and is not present in Alt+Tab/Win+Tab views.

I want to create such window and be able to capture it with Windows Graphics Capture API. Here is what I already did:

1. I create a hidden window and then create a child window. This removes the child window from the taskbar.
2. Then I cloak the child window which makes it invisible on the screen.

What I can't do is removing it from the task switcher (Alt+Tab/Win+Tab). Adding WS_EX_NOACTIVATE or WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW or removing WS_VISIBLE styles does the job, but makes it non-capturable by the API.

I have already read this, but it doesn't help: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20071008-00/?p=24863

Is it possible to achieve what I want? If yes - how? Thanks!

Answer 1

Setting WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW style on the window after capture item creation doesn't stop capturing.