Windows Forms Application Like Outlook Design Advice

Question

I will be developing an application more or less like an GUI similar to outlook

My question is when you open a outlook it seems to be a one form only. So they handle it.

Are they user controls drag and dropped on only one form or something else.

Secondly

And how can i create a menu- this panel for my application and how it will work on XP?

Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

As for exactly how Microsoft lays out Outlook, I'm not even going to guess. But for the controls that you are showing in your example, these would be done in a "Ribbon Control". You should take a look at these examples Example of ribbon control and here is Another example of ribbon control

Check them out. I think you'll find that it a good starting point.