How do I stop getting values with GetKeyState when my program isnt the active program?

The GetKeyState function retrieves the status of a key, but it's important to note that it works based on the active input focus. If you want to retrieve key state even when your program is not the active program, you may need to use different methods or APIs.

Here are a couple of approaches you can consider:

1. Low-Level Keyboard Hooks (Windows API):
   You can use a low-level keyboard hook to capture key events globally, regardless of whether your program is in the foreground or not. You can use the SetWindowsHookEx function to install a low-level keyboard hook and listen for keyboard events.

   Here is a basic example using the keyboard library in Python:

   pythonCopy code
   import keyboard
   
   
   
   def on_key_event(event):
   
       if event.event_type == keyboard.KEY_DOWN:
   
           print(f"Key {event.name} is pressed")
   
   
   
   keyboard.hook(on_key_event)
   
   keyboard.wait("esc")  # Wait until the "Esc" key is pressed
   
   

   This example uses the keyboard library, which is a Python wrapper around the Windows SetWindowsHookEx function.

2. Raw Input API:
   Another approach is to use the Raw Input API, which allows you to receive input from input devices, such as keyboards and mice. The Raw Input API provides more control over input events and can be used to receive input from multiple devices simultaneously.

   Here's a simple example using Python's pywinusb library:

   pythonCopy code
   import pywinusb.hid as hid
   
   
   
   def on_input(data):
   
       key_code = data[2]
   
       key_state = data[0]
   
   
   
       if key_state == 1:  # Key down event
   
           print(f"Key {key_code} is pressed")
   
   
   
   devices = hid.HidDeviceFilter(vendor_id=0x1234, product_id=0x5678).get_devices()
   
   device = devices[0]
   
   
   
   device.open()
   
   device.set_raw_data_handler(on_input)
   
   device.wait()
   
   

   In this example, you need to specify the vendor and product IDs of the keyboard you're interested in.

Please note that using low-level keyboard hooks and interacting with input devices using the Raw Input API requires a good understanding of the Windows API and the potential implications on system performance and security. Always make sure you follow best practices and handle input events responsibly.