Classic Shell: Forum

I want to make a day planner that lists your current event directly on the taskbar, directly to the left of the notification area.
I've downloaded Visual Studio and I'm learning C++, but I don't know where to learn the windows shell stuff needed to integrate it into the taskbar.

Since Classic Shell, to my knowledge, uses windows shell stuff to integrate itself, I'm asking here:
What programs and languages do you use, and do you have any recommendations on how to learn?

Thanks!

I think what you are describing is called a "desk band" - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/cc144099(v=vs.85).aspx

That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you!