Command prompt tool to minimize a command window AFTER it starts?

I have a program which spawns a filter command (batch file) and does it by
running CMD.exe in an open window which has the annoying habit of coming
to the front and taking focus.

I need a tool to push the command prompt to the background and better to
minimize it -- my intent is to run it as the first line of the batch.

Is there a better way? (Other than fixing the stupid program which calls
it which I cannot do directly.)

--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]

"Herb Martin" wrote in message
> I have a program which spawns a filter command (batch file) and does it by
> running CMD.exe in an open window which has the annoying habit of coming
> to the front and taking focus.
>
> I need a tool to push the command prompt to the background and better to
> minimize it -- my intent is to run it as the first line of the batch.
>
> Is there a better way? (Other than fixing the stupid program which calls
> it which I cannot do directly.)

You can rewrite the main Batch file as a Subroutine shell, and have
the Batch file recall itself in a minimized window before passing control
to the main code and closing the initial window.

Patch your own code into this outline (where I've placed the relevant
ECHO command):

Lines that don't begin with two spaces have wrapped accidentally
====Begin cut-and-paste (omit this line)
@ECHO OFF
IF [GOTO:]==[%1] GOTO %2 {Subroutine-Handler}
start /min "CMD window" "%0" GOTO: _MAIN %0 %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
@ECHO OFF
CLS
EXIT

GOTO EOF {=Subroutine-section-below=}
:_MAIN
FOR %%C IN (1 2 3) DO SHIFT

ECHO. Your Batch code goes here

:EOF {End-of-file}

====End cut-and-paste (omit this line)
Simulated Win2000 for study/demo use. Cut-and-paste as Batch text file.
Batch file troubleshooting: http://www.allenware.com/find?UsualSuspects

The outline passes any Batch parameters (up to %9) to the _MAIN
child shell, and restores their normal positions.

For an explanation of the unusual combo of lines:
@ECHO OFF
CLS
EXIT
to close the initial window, see our Usual Suspects page
http://www.allenware.com/find?UsualSuspects
and look under item
"Window stays open" MS-DOS window doesn't close (or closes too soon)

--
William Allen
Free interactive Batch Course http://www.allenware.com/icsw/icswidx.htm
Batch Reference with examples http://www.allenware.com/icsw/icswref.htm
Header email is rarely checked. Contact us at http://www.allenware.com/

Herb Martin wrote:

> I have a program which spawns a filter command (batch file) and does it by
> running CMD.exe in an open window which has the annoying habit of coming
> to the front and taking focus.
>
> I need a tool to push the command prompt to the background and better to
> minimize it -- my intent is to run it as the first line of the batch.
>
> Is there a better way? (Other than fixing the stupid program which calls
> it which I cannot do directly.)
>
Hi,

A couple of freeware command line tools that can do this:

Min.exe
http://www.paulsadowski.com/WSH/cmdprogs.htm

ShowConsole.exe
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/mi...de=source&hl=en


--
torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of
the 1328 page Scripting Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sc...er/default.mspx

In microsoft.public.win2000.cmdprompt.admin Torgeir Bakken (MVP)
wrote:

> Herb Martin wrote:
>
>> I have a program which spawns a filter command (batch file) and
>> does it by running CMD.exe in an open window which has the
>> annoying habit of coming to the front and taking focus.
>>
>> I need a tool to push the command prompt to the background and
>> better to minimize it -- my intent is to run it as the first
>> line of the batch.
>>
>> Is there a better way? (Other than fixing the stupid program
>> which calls it which I cannot do directly.)
>>
> Hi,
>
> A couple of freeware command line tools that can do this:
>
> Min.exe
> http://www.paulsadowski.com/WSH/cmdprogs.htm
>
> ShowConsole.exe
> http://groups.google.co.uk/group/mi...win2000.cmdprom
> pt.admin/msg/360bde2490a40b13?dmode=source&hl=en

And adding CMDOW.EXE
http://www.commandline.co.uk/
http://www.commandline.co.uk/cmdow/index.html

I had the same kind of problem and just fixed it using the solution suggested by William.

Thanks Mr. Allen!