get the windows backcolor

Extending Mathews response, I would probably look for WM_THEMECHANGED Rather than WM_PAINT:

See:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms632650(v=vs.85).aspx

The link is actually: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms632650(v=vs.85).aspx

ah, this is looking better, although It will take me a while to work it out. its a start.

i do wonder if this should be being handled by xojo though.

I wonder if by any chance Window.Paint would not be fired upon the change of color ?