---
title: "Dialog Boxes"
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "dialog boxes [Windows Forms], Windows Forms"
  - "Windows Forms dialog boxes"
  - "dialogs [Windows Forms], using in Windows Forms"
ms.assetid: d43d022b-451b-490d-9386-dc79d98fbf8a
---
# Dialog Boxes in Windows Forms
Dialog boxes are used to interact with the user and retrieve information. In simple terms, a dialog box is a form with its <xref:System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle> enumeration property set to `FixedDialog`. You can construct your own custom dialog boxes by using the Windows Forms Designer in Visual Studio. Add controls such as `Label`, `Textbox`, and `Button` to customize dialog boxes to your specific needs. The .NET Framework also includes predefined dialog boxes, such as **File Open** and message boxes, which you can adapt for your own applications. For more information, see [Dialog-Box Controls and Components](./controls/dialog-box-controls-and-components-windows-forms.md).  
  
## In This Section  
 [How to: Display Dialog Boxes for Windows Forms](how-to-display-dialog-boxes-for-windows-forms.md)  
 Gives directions for showing dialog boxes.  
  
## Related Sections  
 [Dialog-Box Controls and Components](./controls/dialog-box-controls-and-components-windows-forms.md)  
 Lists the predefined dialog box controls.  
  
 [Changing the Appearance of Windows Forms](changing-the-appearance-of-windows-forms.md)  
 Contains links to topics that describe how to change the appearance of Windows Forms applications.  
  
 [TabControl Control Overview](./controls/tabcontrol-control-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Explains how you incorporate the tab control into a dialog box.