Windows Forms FAQ resources

10. Windows Forms Menus

10.14 How can I make the context menu to close after a set time interval?

To automatically close the context menu after a set time interval, you can use a Timer and send a ESC key stroke after the desired time interval as shown:

[C#]

private void timer1_Tick(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{

SendKeys.Send("{ESC}");

timer1.Stop();

}

private void contextMenu1_Popup(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{

//set interval to 5 seconds

timer1.Interval = 5000;

timer1.Start();

}

[VB.Net]

Private Sub timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs)

SendKeys.Send("{ESC}")

timer1.Stop()

End Sub

Private Sub contextMenu1_Popup(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs)

'set interval to 5 seconds

timer1.Interval = 5000

timer1.Start()

End Sub