NEWS!

Added support for the detection of key combinations and sequences see: Quickstart - Detecting Key Combinations and Sequences

What it does?

This library allows you to tap the keyboard and mouse, to detect and record their activity even when an application is inactive and runs in the background.

Prerequisites

• Windows: .NET Framework 4.0+

Installation and sources

  nuget install MouseKeyHook

• NuGet package
• Source code

Usage

private IKeyboardMouseEvents m_GlobalHook;

public void Subscribe()
{
    // Note: for the application hook, use the Hook.AppEvents() instead
    m_GlobalHook = Hook.GlobalEvents();

    m_GlobalHook.MouseDownExt += GlobalHookMouseDownExt;
    m_GlobalHook.KeyPress += GlobalHookKeyPress;
}

private void GlobalHookKeyPress(object sender, KeyPressEventArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine("KeyPress: \t{0}", e.KeyChar);
}

private void GlobalHookMouseDownExt(object sender, MouseEventExtArgs e)
{
    Console.WriteLine("MouseDown: \t{0}; \t System Timestamp: \t{1}", e.Button, e.Timestamp);

    // uncommenting the following line will suppress the middle mouse button click
    // if (e.Buttons == MouseButtons.Middle) { e.Handled = true; }
}

public void Unsubscribe()
{
    m_GlobalHook.MouseDownExt -= GlobalHookMouseDownExt;
    m_GlobalHook.KeyPress -= GlobalHookKeyPress;

    //It is recommened to dispose it
    m_GlobalHook.Dispose();
}

(also have a look at the Demo app included with the source)

How does it work?

This library attaches to windows global hooks, tracks keyboard and mouse clicks, movements and raises common .NET events with KeyEventArgs and MouseEventArgs, so you can easily retrieve any information you need:

• Mouse coordinates
• Mouse buttons clicked
• Mouse drag actions
• Mouse wheel scrolls
• Key presses and releases
• Special key states

Additionally, there are MouseEventExtArgs and KeyEventExtArgs which provide further options:

• Input suppression
• Timestamp
• IsMouseDown/Up
• IsKeyDown/Up.

Troubleshooting and support

• Usage or programming-related questions? Post it on StackOverflow using the tag mousekeyhook
• Found a bug or missing a feature? Feed the issue tracker

Current project build status

The CI builds are generously hosted and run on the Travis and AppVeyor infrastructures.

	Travis-CI	AppVeyor
master
vNext

History

Year	URL
2000 - 2008	http://www.codeproject.com/KB/cs/globalhook.aspx
2008 - 2015	https://globalmousekeyhook.codeplex.com/
2015 - now	https://github.com/gmamaladze/globalmousekeyhook

Quick contributing guide

• Fork and clone locally
• Create a topic specific branch. Add some nice feature.
• Send a Pull Request to spread the fun!

License

The MIT license see: LICENSE.txt