Stop Multiple Program Starts?

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Guest

Are there settings to stop XP from launching an application multiple times
when double clicking on several files in My Documents? I can click on
multiple .doc and .pdf files and Word and Acrobat only open once with each
file opening inside the app in a seperate window. However, I cannot do this
with various graphic and CAD programs - every time I double click one of the
files associated with each app the application opens again. Click on 3 .psp
files and I end up with 3 Paintshop Pro programs running simulateously.

What is frustrating to me is that is only occuring on one of my computers -
the other works fine. This also is what makes me think it's an XP setting
and not a setting in the individual applications. Thanks!
 
Nicholas said:
Are there settings to stop XP from launching an application multiple times
when double clicking on several files in My Documents? I can click on
multiple .doc and .pdf files and Word and Acrobat only open once with each
file opening inside the app in a seperate window. However, I cannot do this
with various graphic and CAD programs - every time I double click one of the
files associated with each app the application opens again. Click on 3 .psp
files and I end up with 3 Paintshop Pro programs running simulateously.

What is frustrating to me is that is only occuring on one of my computers -
the other works fine. This also is what makes me think it's an XP setting
and not a setting in the individual applications. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I no longer use PSP but I remember that happening to me. I know MS Word
does the same thing and I've never been able to fix it but I did find a
fix for PSP.

I don't remember what it was but I found the solution by going to
another computer that didn't do that with PSP files and compared the
settings for their Open setting.

In Windows Explorer, click on Tools, Folder Options and then on the
FileTypes tab and select Advance for the PSP file, then click on Open
then click on Edit. Compare the two computers and see what the
difference is.

Hope this gets you going in the right direction.
 
This is a function of whatever particular program. This is not a Windows
function. Some programs can and will open multiple times, like notepad.exe
for example. And others will only open one instance of the .exe file, like
AutoCAD LT (aclt.exe) for example.

It may also be a malware problem.

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode can prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

''In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers
(mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system
services), just the minimum device drivers required to start Windows.''

Because of that some malware does not load in Safe Mode and is easier to get
rid of.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:30:01 -0800 from <=?Utf-8?B?
TmljaG9sYXMgQmVsbA==?= said:
Are there settings to stop XP from launching an application multiple times
when double clicking on several files in My Documents? ...
every time I double click one of the
files associated with each app the application opens again. Click on 3 .psp
files and I end up with 3 Paintshop Pro programs running simulateously.

What is frustrating to me is that is only occuring on one of my computers -
the other works fine. This also is what makes me think it's an XP setting
and not a setting in the individual applications. Thanks!
Click to expand...

No, it's a setting in the individual applications. For instance, in
Word you have Tools > Options > View > Show > Windows in Taskbar
UNchecked, or you would be seeing the same unwanted behavior.

Since it happens on only one of your computers, you must have the
program options set differently on that one.
 
I no longer use PSP but I remember that happening to me. I know MS Word
does the same thing and I've never been able to fix it but I did find a
fix for PSP.

I don't remember what it was but I found the solution by going to
another computer that didn't do that with PSP files and compared the
settings for their Open setting.

In Windows Explorer, click on Tools, Folder Options and then on the
FileTypes tab and select Advance for the PSP file, then click on Open
then click on Edit. Compare the two computers and see what the
difference is.

Hope this gets you going in the right direction.
Click to expand...

Well, if one of those programs is already running, then drag
the file into the program. That should open the file
without starting a new instance of the program. . .

Alan Moorman
 
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