The COXActiveDesktop class is a wrapper for IActiveDesktop  interface. In order to explore this class you have to have ActiveDesktop installed. That means that shell32.dll must be version 4.71 or better as well as explorer.exe. To start to work with this class call ::CoInitialize() function before using this class, in InitInstance(), for example. Once you have finished to work with this class, call ::CoUninitialize(). First called function of the class must be Init() and it must succeed. After that you have different functions to manage by the Active Desktop items, like GetComponent(), ModifyItem(), RemoveItem() etc. The items may be of different types, like controls, webpages and others.