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

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q81536
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system 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 ."

KBCategory: kbtool kbdisplay kbinterop
KBSubcategory: win30
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 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.

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.