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jimlkosmo

Jun 27th, 2025

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Great question — you're using Windows XP, which supports technologies like HTA, VBA, and Active Desktop. Let me explain what each of these is, how they differ, and how you can use them to create apps or change the desktop.
---
✅ HTA – HTML Application
✔️ What is it?
An HTA is a special type of .html file with elevated privileges, treated like a Windows application. It runs with full trust, allowing more access than regular web pages — for example, it can access the filesystem, registry, ActiveX objects, etc.
✔️ Key Features:
File extension: .hta
Launched via IE engine, but without browser restrictions.
Uses standard HTML + CSS + JavaScript or VBScript.
Can hide borders, toolbars, and status bars.
Can interact with the Windows desktop or shell (indirectly).
✔️ Basic Example:
<html>
<head>
<hta:application
applicationname="MyTransparentApp"
border="none"
caption="no"
showintaskbar="no"
sysmenu="no"
scroll="no"
windowstate="normal"
singleinstance="yes"
>
<style>
html, body {
background: transparent;
filter: alpha(opacity=70);
}
</style>
<script>
// JS or VBScript can go here
</script>
</head>
<body>
<div>Hello from transparent HTA!</div>
</body>
</html>
Just save this as app.hta and double-click to run it.
🔧 Can HTA change the desktop?
Directly? ❌ No — HTA can't directly modify the desktop wallpaper or draw over it like Active Desktop.
But you can:
Use ActiveX objects in HTA to:
Change the wallpaper via registry or API.
Create invisible, borderless windows that float on top of the desktop (can feel like desktop widgets).
Use a shell object to move files, run programs, etc.
Example (change wallpaper):
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
objShell.RegWrite "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper", "C:\path\to\image.bmp"
You’d then call SystemParametersInfo via a separate script or ActiveX to refresh it.
---
✅ VBA – Visual Basic for Applications
✔️ What is it?
VBA is a macro language built into Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access).
It can control Office apps and interact with the Windows environment via COM/ActiveX.
Used mostly inside Office, not as a standalone app environment.
✔️ Can VBA be used to change the desktop?
Only indirectly, like launching shell commands or calling Windows API via COM.
Example (run a command):
Shell "rundll32.exe user32.dll,UpdatePerUserSystemParameters", vbHide
Or manipulate registry and files like HTA can, but you're limited to Office macros unless you embed the script in Excel or Word.
---
✅ ActiveX – What You Mentioned
✔️ What is it?
ActiveX is a Microsoft component technology (based on COM).
It's what powers many IE and HTA capabilities — for example, scripting FileSystemObject or Shell.Application are ActiveX.
HTA uses ActiveX under the hood — you can write code like:
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
And it’s trusted inside HTA (but not in regular IE due to security).
---
🖥️ Active Desktop vs HTA
Feature Active Desktop HTA
Integrated into Desktop ✅ Yes ❌ No
Real desktop replacement ✅ Yes ❌ Only overlay/floating windows
Transparent windows ❌ No ✅ Yes (with filter/opacity)
Can run scripts ✅ Yes (but limited) ✅ Yes (full trust)
Interact with desktop files ❌ Limited ✅ Full (via ActiveX)
---
✅ So, can you use HTA + ActiveX to create an app that changes the desktop?
Yes, in this way:
You can create widgets or transparent windows.
You can manipulate the desktop wallpaper, files, folders, registry, etc.
You cannot fully replace the desktop without using legacy methods like Active Desktop or shell replacements, but you can fake it well.
---
✅ Practical Tips
Use HTA if you want a "real app" in XP that looks custom and can use IE's rendering engine.
Use ActiveX objects inside HTA to control Windows (registry, filesystem).
Combine HTA with AutoHotKey or Windows Scripting Host (WSH) for more power.
---
Want to Try a Floating Widget?
Save this as widget.hta:
<html>
<head>
<hta:application border="none" caption="no" showintaskbar="no" windowstate="normal" />
<style>
body {
background: transparent;
filter: alpha(opacity=80);
color: white;
font-family: sans-serif;
position: absolute;
top: 0; left: 0;
margin: 0; padding: 10px;
}
</style>
</head>
<body onclick="window.close()">
🕐 The time is <span id="clock"></span>
<script>
function tick() {
document.getElementById('clock').innerText = new Date().toLocaleTimeString();
}
setInterval(tick, 1000);
tick();
</script>
</body>
</html>
---
Let me know if you'd like to:
Make this widget always stay on desktop.
Interact with the wallpaper.
Replace Active Desktop behavior.
Or create an installer for your HTA.
I can guide you through any of that.

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