You can find a great article on COM & interfaces at the Code Project. Go to the following link: http://www.codeproject.com/com/comintro.asp Bye..

Try GetPixel API using the desktop device context as follows: HDC DesktopDC = GetDC(NULL); COLORREF color = GetPixel(DesktopDC, x, y); // where x and y are the mouse coords. :)