Microsoft KB Archive/81536

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

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Q81536

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

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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 &quot;COMMAND.&quot; 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 &quot;MS-DOS Prompt&quot; appear with the title &quot;MS- DOS Prompt&quot; 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 &quot;Microsoft MS-DOS&quot; and &quot;MS-DOS Prompt&quot; as two separate programs. Windows version 3.0 displays these items as &quot;COMMAND&quot; and &quot;COMMAND .&quot;

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 3.11

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Issue type :

Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311