C# console get key stroke

Question

Is there anyway for a C# console application to capture keystroke, including those that are pressed outside of the program, similar to a key logger? The one I found and tried is Console.ReadKey() but it can only read the keystroke sent to the console.

Answer 1

You need to use a low level keyboard hook. Here is an example using windows forms, but you can easily apply the same concept to a console application:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/toub/archive/2006/05/03/589423.aspx

Hope it helps!

Answer 2

You'd have to handle global keyboard events. Have a look at A Simple C# Global Low Level Keyboard Hook

Answer 3

You will need to use the Windows API, I'd check GetAsyncKeyState.

Answer 4

yes...you'll need to look at system keyboard hooks...I think this post has what you need:

Global keyboard capture in C# application