Getting Real Handle to Thread/Process Requires Two Calls

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
Article ID: Q90470
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) included with: 

        - Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.1, 3.5, and 3.51
    - Microsoft Windows 95 version 4.0

The API GetCurrentThread() returns a pseudo-handle rather than the real handle to the thread. To get the real handle to the thread, you need to use DuplicateHandle() using the pseudo-handle that is returned from GetCurrentThread(). In addition, to get the real handle to a process, you need to call DuplicateHandle() after calling GetCurrentProcess().

Additional reference words: 3.10 3.50 4.00 95
KBCategory: kbprg
KBSubcategory: BseProcThrd

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.