I got the solution by myself :)
Instead of changing the ResizeMode (to CanMinimize) and WindowStyle (to None) from the window properties, i changed it in load event
Me.ResizeMode = Windows.ResizeMode.CanMinimize
Me.WindowStyle = Windows.WindowStyle.None
also i had to averload the show method (as i wanted to use show and hide methods to minimize it to tray)
Overloads Sub show()
Me.ResizeMode = Windows.ResizeMode.CanResize
Me.WindowStyle = Windows.WindowStyle.SingleBorderWindow
MyBase.Show()
Me.ResizeMode = Windows.ResizeMode.CanMinimize
Me.WindowStyle = Windows.WindowStyle.None
End Sub
this allowed the windows taskbar to remain visible as WindowStyle was changed after a window was assigned to my form.
This allowed me to have an invisible parent window that uses WPF's default resizing properties.
When I was changing ResizeMode and WindowStyle from windows property pane in visual studio, as window style was none before even loading, no parent was assigned to my form and thus my application went "kiosk".
I hope my explanation would help others facing similiar issues :)
And to all who took time to reply, and helped me, a big thanks guys :)