Display of Multiple Instances of MS-DOS Programs in Task List (81536)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q81536

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 ."
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/19/2005
Keywords:KB81536
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