Q122514: MS-DOS Window Remains on Screen After Application Is Finished

Article: Q122514
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win95 appscomp kbAppCompatibility
Last Modified: 28-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you are running an MS-DOS-based application from an icon in Windows 95, the
MS-DOS window remains open with the text "Finished - <Application Name>"
appearing on the title bar after the application has finished executing.

CAUSE
=====

The MS-DOS window remains open so that you can see any messages, such as errors,
that may be generated by the MS-DOS-based application. This window appears for
any MS-DOS-based application that generates output.

RESOLUTION
==========

You can change the program properties for the MS-DOS-based application so that
it closes on exit. To do this:

1. Use the right (secondary) mouse button to click the icon for the MS-DOS-based
  application.

2. Click Properties.

3. Click the Program tab.

4. Click Close On Exit to select that option.

5. Click OK to accept the settings.

The MS-DOS-based application window should now close after the application has
finished executing. You must change this setting for each MS-DOS-based
application individually--there is no way to set this option globally.

Note, however, that you can set this option globally for all MS-DOS-based
programs that do not already have their own PIF (program information file). To
do this, create a default PIF with the setting listed above. For information
about creating a default PIF, please see the following article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q131877 How to Create Default PIF for MS-DOS-Based Programs

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

If you are running a batch file, you can close the MS-DOS window by adding the
following lines to the end of the batch file:

  echo off
  cls

Additional query words: 3rdparty

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Keywords          : win95 appscomp kbAppCompatibility 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : 95

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