How to Remove Just the Maximize or Minimize Buttons

So you want to keep the Close button, but you're not sure about the Minimize or Maximize buttons. No problem. Let's take a look.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Visual studio 2005

1. 
    
   Create New VB Project

   First, we need something to work with. If you have a VB project already underway, go ahead and open it. If not, create a new one.

2. 
    
   MaximizeBox to False

   The great thing about making changes like this is that you don't need any other element on your form because it's the form that we're changing. In your properties window under Window Style heading, the two properties we want are MaximizeBox and MinimizeBox. Both default to TRUE. For this first example, set MaximizeBox to FALSE.

3. 
    
   Greyed Maximize Button

   You can already see the change. The Maximize button in the top right corner is still there, but dim while the Minimize button is full and clear. When you run your application, you'll find that only the Minimize button is clickable.

4. Now, if you restore the defaults and then set the MinimizeBox box property to FALSE, you'll get the same result, only reversed. The Maximize button will be clickable and the Minimize button will be greyed out.

5. 
    
   All gone!

   Should you not want either of the buttons, of course, you would change both of the properties to FALSE. The difference here is that by doing this, you completely remove the buttons. No greyed out buttons remain.

Tips & Warnings

• As great as this sounds, it can be very annoying for someone using your software who has a screen resolution that is either too small or too big for your window. Be sure to build in some coping mechanism so the users of your software stay happy.