How to move form without form border (visual studio)

Question

I am making a windows form application in visual studio 2013 Express. In order to make the application look more customized and attractive, I designed the forms in my application.

I set the form border style to 'NONE' and made my own title and exit/min/max buttons.

However, the only way to move the form at runtime is by dragging the title bar, and I cannot do this with the form border and title bar gone.

So, is it possible to move the form without the title bar and border. Maybe if I have my own title bar and try to make that control the forms position? What is the best way of doing it?

Thanks

Answer 1

Simple as this, add this code to your Form-Class:

#Region " Move Form "

    ' [ Move Form ]
    '
    ' // By Elektro 

    Public MoveForm As Boolean
    Public MoveForm_MousePosition As Point

    Public Sub MoveForm_MouseDown(sender As Object, e As MouseEventArgs) Handles _
    MyBase.MouseDown ' Add more handles here (Example: PictureBox1.MouseDown)

        If e.Button = MouseButtons.Left Then
            MoveForm = True
            Me.Cursor = Cursors.NoMove2D
            MoveForm_MousePosition = e.Location
        End If

    End Sub

    Public Sub MoveForm_MouseMove(sender As Object, e As MouseEventArgs) Handles _
    MyBase.MouseMove ' Add more handles here (Example: PictureBox1.MouseMove)

        If MoveForm Then
            Me.Location = Me.Location + (e.Location - MoveForm_MousePosition)
        End If

    End Sub

    Public Sub MoveForm_MouseUp(sender As Object, e As MouseEventArgs) Handles _
    MyBase.MouseUp ' Add more handles here (Example: PictureBox1.MouseUp)

        If e.Button = MouseButtons.Left Then
            MoveForm = False
            Me.Cursor = Cursors.Default
        End If

    End Sub

#End Region

Here is an updated version:

' ***********************************************************************
' Author   : Elektro
' Modified : 15-March-2015
' ***********************************************************************
' <copyright file="FormDragger.vb" company="Elektro Studios">
'     Copyright (c) Elektro Studios. All rights reserved.
' </copyright>
' ***********************************************************************

#Region " Option Statements "

Option Explicit On
Option Strict On
Option Infer Off

#End Region

#Region " Usage Examples "

'Public Class Form1

'    ''' <summary>
'    ''' The <see cref="FormDragger"/> instance that manages the form(s) dragging.
'    ''' </summary>
'    Private formDragger As FormDragger = FormDragger.Empty

'    Private Sub Test() Handles MyBase.Shown
'        Me.InitializeDrag()
'    End Sub

'    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _
'    Handles Button1.Click

'        Me.AlternateDragEnabled(Me)

'    End Sub

'    Private Sub InitializeDrag()

'        ' 1st way, using the single-Form constructor:
'        Me.formDragger = New FormDragger(Me, enabled:=True, cursor:=Cursors.SizeAll)

'        ' 2nd way, using the multiple-Forms constructor:
'        ' Me.formDragger = New FormDragger({Me, Form2, form3})

'        ' 3rd way, using the default constructor then adding a Form into the collection:
'        ' Me.formDragger = New FormDragger
'        ' Me.formDragger.AddForm(Me, enabled:=True, cursor:=Cursors.SizeAll)

'    End Sub

'    ''' <summary>
'    ''' Alternates the dragging of the specified form.
'    ''' </summary>
'    ''' <param name="form">The form.</param>
'    Private Sub AlternateDragEnabled(ByVal form As Form)

'        Dim formInfo As FormDragger.FormDragInfo = Me.formDragger.FindFormDragInfo(form)
'        formInfo.Enabled = Not formInfo.Enabled

'    End Sub

'End Class

#End Region

#Region " Imports "

Imports System.ComponentModel

#End Region

#Region " Form Dragger "

''' <summary>
''' Enable or disable drag at runtime on a <see cref="Form"/>.
''' </summary>
Public NotInheritable Class FormDragger : Implements IDisposable

#Region " Properties "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Gets an <see cref="IEnumerable(Of Form)"/> collection that contains the Forms capables to perform draggable operations.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <value>The <see cref="IEnumerable(Of Form)"/>.</value>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
    Public ReadOnly Property Forms As IEnumerable(Of FormDragInfo)
        Get
            Return Me.forms1
        End Get
    End Property
    ''' <summary>
    ''' An <see cref="IEnumerable(Of Form)"/> collection that contains the Forms capables to perform draggable operations.
    ''' </summary>
    Private forms1 As IEnumerable(Of FormDragInfo) = {}

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Represents a <see cref="FormDragger"/> instance that is <c>Nothing</c>.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <value><c>Nothing</c></value>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
    Public Shared ReadOnly Property Empty As FormDragger
        Get
            Return Nothing
        End Get
    End Property

#End Region

#Region " Types "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Defines the draggable info of a <see cref="Form"/>.
    ''' </summary>
    <Serializable>
    Public NotInheritable Class FormDragInfo

#Region " Properties "

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets the associated <see cref="Form"/> used to perform draggable operations.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The associated <see cref="Form"/>.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
        Public ReadOnly Property Form As Form
            Get
                Return form1
            End Get
        End Property
        ''' <summary>
        ''' The associated <see cref="Form"/>
        ''' </summary>
        <NonSerialized>
        Private ReadOnly form1 As Form

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets the name of the associated <see cref="Form"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The Form.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
        Public ReadOnly Property Name As String
            Get
                If Me.Form IsNot Nothing Then
                    Return Form.Name
                Else
                    Return String.Empty
                End If
            End Get
        End Property

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets or sets a value indicating whether drag is enabled on the associated <see cref="Form"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value><c>true</c> if drag is enabled; otherwise, <c>false</c>.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
        Public Property Enabled As Boolean

        ''' <summary>
        ''' A <see cref="FormDragger"/> instance instance containing the draggable information of the associated <see cref="Form"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The draggable information.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Property DragInfo As FormDragger = FormDragger.Empty

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets or sets the <see cref="Cursor"/> used to drag the associated <see cref="Form"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The <see cref="Cursor"/>.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
        Public Property Cursor As Cursor = Cursors.SizeAll

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets or sets the old form's cursor to restore it after dragging.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The old form's cursor.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Property OldCursor As Cursor = Nothing

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets or sets the initial mouse coordinates, normally <see cref="Form.MousePosition"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The initial mouse coordinates.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Property InitialMouseCoords As Point = Point.Empty

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets or sets the initial <see cref="Form"/> location, normally <see cref="Form.Location"/>.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <value>The initial location.</value>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Property InitialLocation As Point = Point.Empty

#End Region

#Region " Constructors "

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> class.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <param name="form">The form.</param>
        Public Sub New(ByVal form As Form)
            Me.form1 = form
            Me.Cursor = form.Cursor
        End Sub

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Prevents a default instance of the <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> class from being created.
        ''' </summary>
        Private Sub New()
        End Sub

#End Region

#Region " Hidden Methods "

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Serves as a hash function for a particular type.
        ''' </summary>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Shadows Function GetHashCode() As Integer
            Return MyBase.GetHashCode
        End Function

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Gets the System.Type of the current instance.
        ''' </summary>
        ''' <returns>The exact runtime type of the current instance.</returns>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Shadows Function [GetType]() As Type
            Return MyBase.GetType
        End Function

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Determines whether the specified System.Object instances are considered equal.
        ''' </summary>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Shadows Function Equals(ByVal obj As Object) As Boolean
            Return MyBase.Equals(obj)
        End Function

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Determines whether the specified System.Object instances are the same instance.
        ''' </summary>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Private Shadows Sub ReferenceEquals()
        End Sub

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Returns a String that represents the current object.
        ''' </summary>
        <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
        Public Shadows Function ToString() As String
            Return MyBase.ToString
        End Function

#End Region

    End Class

#End Region

#Region " Constructors "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="FormDragger"/> class.
    ''' </summary>
    Public Sub New()
        Me.forms1={}
    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="FormDragger"/> class.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The <see cref="Form"/> used to perform draggable operations.</param>
    ''' <param name="enabled">If set to <c>true</c>, enable dragging on the <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    ''' <param name="cursor">The <see cref="Cursor"/> used to drag the specified <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    Public Sub New(ByVal form As Form,
                   Optional enabled As Boolean = False,
                   Optional cursor As Cursor = Nothing)

        Me.forms1 =
            {
                New FormDragInfo(form) With
                         {
                             .Enabled = enabled,
                             .Cursor = cursor
                         }
            }

        Me.AssocHandlers(form)

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="FormDragger"/> class.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="forms">The <see cref="Forms"/> used to perform draggable operations.</param>
    Public Sub New(ByVal forms As IEnumerable(Of Form))

        Me.forms1 = (From form As Form In forms
                     Select New FormDragInfo(form)).ToArray

        For Each form As Form In forms
            Me.AssocHandlers(form)
        Next form

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="FormDragger"/> class.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="formInfo">
    ''' The <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance 
    ''' that contains the <see cref="Form"/> reference and its draggable info.
    ''' </param>
    ''' <param name="mouseCoordinates">The current mouse coordinates.</param>
    ''' <param name="location">The current location.</param>
    Private Sub New(ByVal formInfo As FormDragInfo,
                    ByVal mouseCoordinates As Point,
                    ByVal location As Point)

        formInfo.InitialMouseCoords = mouseCoordinates
        formInfo.InitialLocation = location

    End Sub

#End Region

#Region " Public Methods "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Adds the specified <see cref="Form"/> into the draggable <see cref="Forms"/> collection.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    ''' <param name="enabled">If set to <c>true</c>, enable dragging on the <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    ''' <param name="cursor">The <see cref="Cursor"/> used to drag the specified <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    ''' <exception cref="System.ArgumentException">The specified form is already added.;form</exception>
    Public Function AddForm(ByVal form As Form,
                            Optional enabled As Boolean = False,
                            Optional cursor As Cursor = Nothing) As FormDragInfo

        For Each formInfo As FormDragInfo In Me.forms1

            If formInfo.Form.Equals(form) Then
                Throw New ArgumentException("The specified form is already added.", "form")
                Exit Function
            End If

        Next formInfo

        Dim newFormInfo As New FormDragInfo(form) With {.Enabled = enabled, .Cursor = cursor}
        Me.forms1 = Me.forms1.Concat({newFormInfo})
        Me.AssocHandlers(form)

        Return newFormInfo

    End Function

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Removes the specified <see cref="Form"/> from the draggable <see cref="Forms"/> collection.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The form.</param>
    ''' <exception cref="System.ArgumentException">The specified form is not found.;form</exception>
    Public Sub RemoveForm(ByVal form As Form)

        Dim formInfoToRemove As FormDragInfo = Nothing

        For Each formInfo As FormDragInfo In Me.forms1

            If formInfo.Form.Equals(form) Then
                formInfoToRemove = formInfo
                Exit For
            End If

        Next formInfo

        If formInfoToRemove IsNot Nothing Then

            Me.forms1 = From formInfo As FormDragInfo In Me.forms1
                        Where Not formInfo Is formInfoToRemove

            formInfoToRemove.Enabled = False
            Me.DeassocHandlers(formInfoToRemove.Form)

        Else
            Throw New ArgumentException("The specified form is not found.", "form")

        End If

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Finds the <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance that is associated with the specified <see cref="Form"/> reference.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The <see cref="Form"/>.</param>
    ''' <returns>The <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance that is associated with the specified <see cref="Form"/> reference.</returns>
    Public Function FindFormDragInfo(ByVal form As Form) As FormDragInfo

        Return (From formInfo As FormDragger.FormDragInfo In Me.forms1
                Where formInfo.Form Is form).FirstOrDefault

    End Function

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Finds the <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance that is associated with the specified <see cref="Form"/> reference.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="name">The <see cref="Form"/> name.</param>
    ''' <returns>The <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance that is associated with the specified <see cref="Form"/> reference.</returns>
    Public Function FindFormDragInfo(ByVal name As String,
                                     Optional stringComparison As StringComparison =
                                              StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) As FormDragInfo

        Return (From formInfo As FormDragger.FormDragInfo In Me.forms1
                Where formInfo.Name.Equals(name, stringComparison)).FirstOrDefault

    End Function

#End Region

#Region " Private Methods "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Associates the <see cref="Form"/> handlers to enable draggable operations.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The form.</param>
    Private Sub AssocHandlers(ByVal form As Form)

        AddHandler form.MouseDown, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseDown
        AddHandler form.MouseUp, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseUp
        AddHandler form.MouseMove, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseMove
        AddHandler form.MouseEnter, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseEnter
        AddHandler form.MouseLeave, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseLeave

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Deassociates the <see cref="Form"/> handlers to disable draggable operations.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="form">The form.</param>
    Private Sub DeassocHandlers(ByVal form As Form)

        If Not form.IsDisposed AndAlso Not form.Disposing Then

            RemoveHandler form.MouseDown, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseDown
            RemoveHandler form.MouseUp, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseUp
            RemoveHandler form.MouseMove, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseMove
            RemoveHandler form.MouseEnter, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseEnter
            RemoveHandler form.MouseLeave, AddressOf Me.Form_MouseLeave

        End If

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Return the new location.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="formInfo">
    ''' The <see cref="FormDragInfo"/> instance 
    ''' that contains the <see cref="Form"/> reference and its draggable info.
    ''' </param>
    ''' <param name="mouseCoordinates">The current mouse coordinates.</param>
    ''' <returns>The new location.</returns>
    Private Function GetNewLocation(ByVal formInfo As FormDragInfo,
                                    ByVal mouseCoordinates As Point) As Point

        Return New Point(formInfo.InitialLocation.X + (mouseCoordinates.X - formInfo.InitialMouseCoords.X),
                         formInfo.InitialLocation.Y + (mouseCoordinates.Y - formInfo.InitialMouseCoords.Y))

    End Function

#End Region

#Region " Hidden Methods "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Serves as a hash function for a particular type.
    ''' </summary>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
    Public Shadows Function GetHashCode() As Integer
        Return MyBase.GetHashCode
    End Function

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Gets the System.Type of the current instance.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <returns>The exact runtime type of the current instance.</returns>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
    Public Shadows Function [GetType]() As Type
        Return MyBase.GetType
    End Function

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Determines whether the specified System.Object instances are considered equal.
    ''' </summary>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
    Public Shadows Function Equals(ByVal obj As Object) As Boolean
        Return MyBase.Equals(obj)
    End Function

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Determines whether the specified System.Object instances are the same instance.
    ''' </summary>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
    Private Shadows Sub ReferenceEquals()
    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Returns a String that represents the current object.
    ''' </summary>
    <EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)>
    Public Shadows Function ToString() As String
        Return MyBase.ToString
    End Function

#End Region

#Region " Event Handlers "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Handles the MouseEnter event of the Form.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    ''' <param name="e">The <see cref="EventArgs"/> instance containing the event data.</param>
    Private Sub Form_MouseEnter(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)

        Dim formInfo As FormDragInfo = FindFormDragInfo(DirectCast(sender, Form))

        formInfo.OldCursor = formInfo.Form.Cursor

        If formInfo.Enabled Then
            formInfo.Form.Cursor = formInfo.Cursor
            ' Optional:
            ' formInfo.Form.BringToFront() 
        End If

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Handles the MouseLeave event of the Form.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    ''' <param name="e">The <see cref="EventArgs"/> instance containing the event data.</param>
    Private Sub Form_MouseLeave(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)

        Dim formInfo As FormDragInfo = FindFormDragInfo(DirectCast(sender, Form))

        formInfo.Form.Cursor = formInfo.OldCursor

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Handles the MouseDown event of the Form.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    ''' <param name="e">The <see cref="MouseEventArgs"/> instance containing the event data.</param>
    Private Sub Form_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)

        Dim formInfo As FormDragInfo = FindFormDragInfo(DirectCast(sender, Form))

        If formInfo.Enabled Then
            formInfo.DragInfo = New FormDragger(formInfo, Form.MousePosition, formInfo.Form.Location)
        End If

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Handles the MouseMove event of the Form.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    ''' <param name="e">The <see cref="MouseEventArgs"/> instance containing the event data.</param>
    Private Sub Form_MouseMove(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)

        Dim formInfo As FormDragInfo = FindFormDragInfo(DirectCast(sender, Form))

        If formInfo.Enabled AndAlso (formInfo.DragInfo IsNot FormDragger.Empty) Then
            formInfo.Form.Location = formInfo.DragInfo.GetNewLocation(formInfo, Form.MousePosition)
        End If

    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Handles the MouseUp event of the Form.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    ''' <param name="e">The <see cref="MouseEventArgs"/> instance containing the event data.</param>
    Private Sub Form_MouseUp(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)

        Dim formInfo As FormDragInfo = FindFormDragInfo(DirectCast(sender, Form))

        formInfo.DragInfo = FormDragger.Empty

    End Sub

#End Region

#Region " IDisposable "

    ''' <summary>
    ''' To detect redundant calls when disposing.
    ''' </summary>
    Private isDisposed As Boolean = False

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Performs application-defined tasks associated with freeing, releasing, or resetting unmanaged resources.
    ''' </summary>
    Public Sub Dispose() Implements IDisposable.Dispose
        Me.Dispose(True)
        GC.SuppressFinalize(Me)
    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Releases unmanaged and - optionally - managed resources.
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="IsDisposing">
    ''' <c>true</c> to release both managed and unmanaged resources; 
    ''' <c>false</c> to release only unmanaged resources.
    ''' </param>
    Protected Sub Dispose(ByVal isDisposing As Boolean)

        If Not Me.isDisposed Then

            If isDisposing Then

                For Each formInfo As FormDragInfo In Me.forms1

                    With formInfo

                        .Enabled = False
                        .OldCursor = Nothing
                        .DragInfo = FormDragger.Empty
                        .InitialMouseCoords = Point.Empty
                        .InitialLocation = Point.Empty

                        Me.DeassocHandlers(.Form)

                    End With ' form

                Next formInfo

                Me.forms1 = Nothing

            End If ' IsDisposing

        End If ' Not Me.IsDisposed

        Me.isDisposed = True

    End Sub

#End Region

End Class

#End Region

Answer 2

Try this:

Public Const WM_NCLBUTTONDOWN As Integer = &HA1 
Public Const HT_CAPTION As Integer = &H2 

<DllImportAttribute("user32.dll")> _ 
Public Shared Function SendMessage(ByVal hWnd As IntPtr, ByVal Msg As Integer, ByVal wParam As Integer, ByVal lParam As Integer) As Integer
End Function

<DllImportAttribute("user32.dll")> _ 
Public Shared Function ReleaseCapture() As Boolean
End Function

Private Sub Form1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles Me.MouseDown, Panel1.MouseDown 
    If e.Button = Windows.Forms.MouseButtons.Left Then
        ReleaseCapture() 
        SendMessage(Handle, WM_NCLBUTTONDOWN, HT_CAPTION, 0) 
    End If
End Sub

It uses the Windows API calls to tell the window that the user is holding the window. As you can see is attached to the Form MouseDown event, but you can use any control you want to use to drag the form.