KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q81536: Display of Multiple Instances of MS-DOS Programs in Task List

Article: Q81536
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 29-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The Microsoft Windows version 3.0 and 3.0a Task List displays a dot after the
name of an application if there are multiple instances of that application
running. The Windows 3.1 and later Task List does not display this dot; it
displays the icon title for each instance of an application.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To demonstrate this difference, perform these steps in each version of Windows:

1. Choose the MS-DOS Prompt icon in Program Manager.

2. Press ALT+TAB to return to Program Manager. Choose the MS-DOS Prompt icon
  again.

3. Press ALT+TAB to return to Program Manager. Open the Task List by pressing
  CTRL+ESC.

In Windows 3.0, the task list displays two MS-DOS prompts, both with the name
"COMMAND." One of the prompts has a dot beside it, indicating there are multiple
instances of the program running.

Windows 3.1 Program Manager takes its information from the icon title. Multiple
instances of the default "MS-DOS Prompt" appear with the title "MS- DOS Prompt"
in the Task List. There is no dot to signify there are multiple instances; the
Task List now displays the title under each icon.

Example: Create an icon in Windows version 3.1 with the command line COMMAND.COM
and the description Microsoft MS-DOS. If you run this program and run the
default MS-DOS Prompt, the Task List displays "Microsoft MS-DOS" and "MS-DOS
Prompt" as two separate programs. Windows version 3.0 displays these items as
"COMMAND" and "COMMAND ."

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 3.11

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.