Check if a program is running

from WinCustomize Forums
Is there a way to make a desktop object check to see if a program is running and start it if not --or-- maximize it if it is already running? E-mail Outlook - I want to be able to click on that icon and start Outlook BUT if it is already started, I want it to come up in a window from the minimized state. Is that possible?
2,128 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Making the object is easy. You have to be in Builder mode DX. Right click anywhere and go down to DesktopX Builder then choose New Object. From there you can assign the icon and what program you want the object to open. That is a basic object. When you are done checking your mail just minimize and when in that state the program shows in the taskbar. Just click there to maximize. If that's what you want then just right click the object and choose export to save it.

Is this what you want/mean?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't think that's what I want - I think that's what I have.

What I want is to be able to click the Object at all times and not have to look at the taskbar to see if it's already running.

If I click the Object again the way you described, I get a second occurance of Outlook running instead of going to the one that was started first.

Hope that better explains it. An example is IE - if you click on a link, it brings up the current program running but starts a new tab - it does not start a whole new IE window.....
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Did we lose everone at the super bowl parties??
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've never seen an object that can be a app launcher an/or focus getter.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This was a workaround I found that's almost as good for anyone that might be interested in the future. Create an Object Dock with one Dock entry of the program (In my case, Outlook). In Miscellaneous Options --> General Misc Options, check the following: when shortcut it run, if program is already running bring it to the foreground only.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Probably should've mentioned Object Dock in your original post. I think they assumed you meant DesktopX. :)
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Probably should've mentioned Object Dock in your original post. I think they assumed you meant DesktopX
End of quote
I know I did.  :)
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just stumbled into this wonderful world of desktop customization a few weeks ago and the terms were way above me (not to mention the fact that I had yet to discover Object Doc). Unfortunately I used a technical term to describe what I thought was a generic request. That sort of thing might happen in the New Users forum......