OFF95: Multiple Instances of Program Started from Shortcut Bar

ID: Q136485

The information in this article applies to:

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 3

WARNING: 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:
  1. On the Start menu, click Run and type regedit.


  2. Backup or export the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key before you make any changes.


  3. Click the following key: 
    
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office Shortcut Bar\SIA (Single
      Instance Program).


  4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Binary Value. The Office Programs appear in the right pane of the registry.


  5. Type the name of executable file (for example, Notepad.exe) and press ENTER.


  6. Close the Registry Editor.


  7. 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:

Q82163 Differences Between the Mini- and Full-OLE Servers
Q124062 MOM/OSB Program Button/Command Always Runs New Instance

Additional query words: OSB 


Keywords          : kbenv kbtool 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 7, 1999