Xceed Docking Windows for WinForms provides a pixel-perfect recreation of the dockable windows as seen in the user interface of Visual Studio .NET 2003 and 2005. Coding with this control is a joy, as most of its functionalities can be set up visually in moments. Its robust and reliable operation and its attention to details ensure that everything works perfectly. 

Xceed’s docking windows control faithfully reproduces all of the features of this part of Microsoft’s IDE, allowing developers to create applications that keep tools and information at the tip of their end-users’ fingers, yet conveniently out of the way until they are needed. 

Applications can display windows that are docked or floating, and tab-grouped or not. You can also choose whether docked windows are set to auto hide and whether they display a “pin” glyph. So for example, when a docked window is unpinned, it automatically slides out as the mouse pointer moves over it, giving access to whatever .NET control the developer has decided to place in it: tools, buttons, edit fields, etc. MDI applications are supported, including tabbed-MDI.

When the mouse pointer moves off an unpinned docked window, it automatically slides smoothly back to its original position. Screen real estate is consequently maximized, letting the end-user concentrate on the task at hand and keep frequently yet punctually used tools close by. The result is an uncluttered work environment. Conversely, when pinned, the window remains permanently visible for intensive use or to display important information. Just like in Visual Studio. 

The included sample applications with source code (VB.NET and C#) show you how to start improving the interactivity experience of your software. 

The product is available through a subscription that delivers much more than just a perpetual license for versions received during the subscription. You also get a year of great services: expert priority support and access to new versions, new features, and bug fixes. Additional years can be added at a discounted price at the time of purchase or before the subscription expires; a new subscription is required after it has expired. Subscriptions are available for the individual control, or for Xceed Ultimate Suite, which includes it. Choosing the Blueprint subscription adds the full C# source.

The library was created by Xceed Software, makers of high-quality compression and networking components. For nearly 20 years, Xceed has been creating top-of-the-line WPF, .NET, Silverlight, and COM software components. Our current product line has over 100 professional components, which are used by more than 100,000 professional developers worldwide, including by Microsoft in many applications such as Visual Studio Team System 2010, Microsoft Office, Windows Home Server.

All Xceed products can be tried out with a fully functional 45-day trial and come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Read on to learn how this control can transform your user interface!