Is there a reference or a help file for learning windows api in c++

Run, don't walk to your nearest second hand bookshop and/or ebay. Look for "Programming Windows" by Charles Petzold (5th edition) and buy a copy. It'll show you how to write Windows programs in C - it'll take you through how to write applications using the WIN32 API. Don't buy the 6th edition - that doesn't cover the WIN32 API.

If you want to see how to wrap the WIN32 in a C++ library to remove a load of repeated guff and boiler plate I'd recommend staying in the second hand book shop and also buying "Windows++: writing reusable windows code in C++" by Paul DiLascia. It's not the best example of C++ design (it's very 1990s) but should give you some insights to get going.

See: EFNet #Winprog[^] and Win32 Programming - FunctionX[^]. google will, no doubt, find you others.

I searched with Google for "C++ tutorials" and I found the following which might be useful for you:

C++ Language - C++ Tutorials

Depending on your particular compiler, it might be useful to find a nice example. For graphics with MFC and Visual Studio 12 C++, for example, there is the following reference program that I thought was very nice.

"The Same Game" - Creating a Document/View Architecture in MFC - Cprogramming.com

Also, the local bookstore can sometimes be a surprising source of good knowledge, perhaps even with a good return policy. Also, online with Amazon it might be possible to order books that are good references or also find previews.

Although the series is highly ridiculed, by its title, it still is a good basic reference for even advanced programmers; and a good amount of material is available on-line even.

C++ - For Dummies

I am wishing you the best success with your learning!

There are too many books on Windows programming.

As to the reference, MSDN works the best: Develop Windows desktop apps – Windows app development[^].

—SA