windows system tray application like the volume application

I would like to create a application very similar to the windows 7 volume bar which is located in the system tray. I'm new to windows development and would like a point in the right direction.

• Should i just make a normal application and just put in the system tray?
• I don't need a main window for the application, it has to accessible only via system-tray (i need only the volume bar, nothing else)... how can i do this?
• Would it be better to write it in C++ instead of C#?
• How can i detect the "volume" of the sound that is outputted by windows (e开发者_运维知识库ven if the system sound is muted)?

Thanks for your reply's.

You can by using the class NotifyIcon. Just google for it to find samples. Here is one.