OFF95: Multiple Instances of Program Started from Shortcut Bar (136485)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Office for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q136485 IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry.
Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the
registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the
Windows folder.
SYMPTOMS
When you start a program from the Office Shortcut Bar, you may start
another instance of the program each time you click the button for that
program.
CAUSE
If you start a program, for example, Windows Explorer, a non-Office 95
program, or any Single Document Interface (SDI) program, you start a new
instance of the program each time you click the button for that program on
the Office Shortcut Bar. SDI programs, such as Office Binder, Windows
Explorer, or Paint, allow only one document to be open at a time. Each time
you try to switch to the program by clicking the button on the Office
Shortcut Bar, a new instance of the program is started.
WORKAROUND
To switch to the instance of an SDI program that is already running, use
any of the following methods.
Method 1
Press ALT+TAB.
Method 2
Click the program button on the Windows taskbar.
Method 3WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that
may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that
problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved.
Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry.
Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the
registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the
Windows folder.
Edit the Windows registry. To do this, use the following steps:
- On the Start menu, click Run and type regedit.
- Backup or export the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key before you make any changes.
- Click the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office Shortcut Bar\SIA (Single
Instance Program).
- On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Binary Value. The Office
Programs appear in the right pane of the registry.
- Type the name of executable file (for example, Notepad.exe) and press
ENTER.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Restart the Office Shortcut Bar.
This step is necessary for the Office Shortcut Bar to read the registry
entry you created.
MORE INFORMATION
Programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint are multiple document
Interface (MDI) programs and do not start another instance of the program
each time you click the Office Shortcut Bar button for the program. MDI
programs allow you to edit multiple documents at one time; therefore,
opening a second instance of the program is unnecessary.
Not all non-Office programs start another instance of a program that is
already running. Microsoft Mail and Schedule+ are two examples of programs
that behave like MDI programs. They do not start a new instance of the
program.
REFERENCES
For additional information, please see the following articles in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
82163 Differences Between the Mini- and Full-OLE Servers
124062 MOM/OSB Program Button/Command Always Runs New Instance
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 8/17/2005 |
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Keywords: | kbenv kbprb KB136485 |
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