System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip replaces the System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar control. Special features of System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip include a custom table layout, support for the form's sizing and moving grips, and support for the ToolStripStatusLabel.Spring property, which allows a System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel to fill available space automatically.

The following items are specifically designed to work seamlessly with both System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSystemRenderer and System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripProfessionalRenderer in all orientations. They are available by default at design time for the System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip control:

• System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel

• System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDownButton

• System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSplitButton

• System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripProgressBar

A System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip control displays information about an object being viewed on a System.Windows.Forms.Form, the object's components, or contextual information that relates to that object's operation within your application. Typically, a System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip control consists of System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel objects, each of which displays text, an icon, or both. The System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip can also contain System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDownButton, System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSplitButton, and System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripProgressBar controls.

The default System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip has no panels. To add panels to a System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip, use the ToolStripItemCollection.AddRange(ToolStripItem[]) method, or use the StatusStrip Items Collection Editor at design time to add, remove, or reorder items and modify properties. Use the StatusStrip Tasks Dialog Box at design time to run common commands.

Although System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip replaces and extends the System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar control of previous versions, System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.