is a graphical tool used to inspect the user interface (UI) of Windows applications. It allows developers to view the internal structure of an application as perceived by the Windows UI Automation Tree , which is critical for creating accessible software and reliable automated tests. Key Functions and Features
: UISpy identifies which " Control Patterns " an element supports, such as InvokePattern for buttons or ValuePattern for text fields, allowing testers to simulate user interactions programmatically. Uispy.exe
: Users can track UI events in real-time, such as focus changes or window openings, to verify that their application is communicating correctly with the OS. Historical Context and Availability is a graphical tool used to inspect the
Originally released with the and .NET Framework 3.0 , UISpy was a primary tool for early WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) developers. Where's UISpy.exe - Sergei Dorogin's technical blog : Users can track UI events in real-time,
: The tool displays a tree structure of every control within a Windows application (e.g., buttons, text boxes, panes).
: It exposes metadata for each UI element, such as its AutomationId , Name , ClassName , and Control Type .