WD: Window Stays on Screen Using Shell to Start MS-DOS Program

• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If you use the Shell command to run an MS-DOS program, the MS-DOS box remains on the screen, and you must manually close the box.

CAUSE

The Close On Exit property is not set for the MS-DOS window.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

1. Start MS-DOS Prompt (click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt).

2. On the toolbar, click Properties.

3. On the Program tab, click to select the Close On Exit check box, and then click OK.

Method 2

Start the program using the MS-DOS command interpreter, Command.com, with the /C switch. This switch closes the window after the program quits. For example, to run a batch file use the following command:

   Shell "command.com /c foo.bat"

REFERENCES

For help with Command.com switches, start MS-DOS Prompt, type "command /?" (without the quotation marks), and press ENTER.