Guest 116 Posted August 17, 2007 Posted August 17, 2007 I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some sample script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with people shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps something that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. Thanks David
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc needs to already be open): dim WshShell set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" WScript.Quit Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first place. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some sample > script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with people > shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps something > that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. > > Thanks > David
Guest 116 Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Thanks for the assist. I will give this a try. Reason being, there certain DB utilities I run on a weekly basis. And with users still login into the DB I have to go to each work station, or remote in to log them out. "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, I > find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a kludge > that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc needs to > already be open): > > dim WshShell > set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" > WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" > WScript.Quit > > Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name of > the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not sure how > to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the title of the > app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For example, while the > title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like Word and IE list the > open document's name, followed by the app's name, like this: "My Test > Document - Microsoft Word". > > I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first place. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... > >I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some sample > > script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with people > > shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps something > > that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. > > > > Thanks > > David > > >
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for Firefox, with this command: for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a Here is the script equivalent: Option Explicit Const App = "FIREFOX" Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine While Len(line) > 0 If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & Left(line,InStr(line," "))) End If line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine Wend http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, > I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a kludge > that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc needs > to already be open): > > dim WshShell > set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" > WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" > WScript.Quit > > Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name > of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not sure > how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the title of > the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For example, while > the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like Word and IE > list the open document's name, followed by the app's name, like this: "My > Test Document - Microsoft Word". > > I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first > place. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some sample >> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with people >> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps something >> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >> >> Thanks >> David > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... You'll find this reference handy: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8c6yea83.aspx -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:59AA4BD3-6BF9-49DD-96F0-B3E9837FF97A@microsoft.com... > Thanks for the assist. I will give this a try. Reason being, there > certain > DB utilities I run on a weekly basis. And with users still login into the > DB > I have to go to each work station, or remote in to log them out. > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, >> I >> find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a kludge >> that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc needs >> to >> already be open): >> >> dim WshShell >> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >> WScript.Quit >> >> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name >> of >> the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not sure >> how >> to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the title of >> the >> app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For example, while >> the >> title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like Word and IE list >> the >> open document's name, followed by the app's name, like this: "My Test >> Document - Microsoft Word". >> >> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >> place. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >> >I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >> >sample >> > script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >> > people >> > shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >> > something >> > that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >> > >> > Thanks >> > David >> >> >>
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. Tried with Calc open and with it closed. Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for > Firefox, with this command: > for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a > > Here is the script equivalent: > Option Explicit > Const App = "FIREFOX" > Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec > Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line > > Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") > > Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") > > line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine > line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine > While Len(line) > 0 > If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then > line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) > WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & > Left(line,InStr(line," "))) > End If > line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine > Wend > > > http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, >> I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a >> kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc >> needs to already be open): >> >> dim WshShell >> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >> WScript.Quit >> >> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name >> of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not >> sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the >> title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For >> example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like >> Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the app's name, >> like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >> >> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >> place. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>sample >>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>> people >>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>> something >>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>> >>> Thanks >>> David >> >> > >
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Tasklist.exe is a standard WinXP command. It resides in the System32 folder. If I had to resolve this issue then I would perform these steps from a Command Prompt: - Check if tasklist.exe exists in the System32 folder. - Invoke it from the Command Prompt. - Ensure that the path includes the System32 folder. - Check if the batch file version works. "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG > transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then > nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I > don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. > Tried with Calc open and with it closed. > > Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a > recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message > news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >> Firefox, with this command: >> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >> >> Here is the script equivalent: >> Option Explicit >> Const App = "FIREFOX" >> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >> >> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >> >> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >> >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> While Len(line) > 0 >> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >> End If >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> Wend >> >> >> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example >>> (calc needs to already be open): >>> >>> dim WshShell >>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>> WScript.Quit >>> >>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For >>> example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps >>> like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the app's >>> name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>> >>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>> place. >>> >>> -- >>> Gary S. Terhune >>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>> http://www.grystmill.com >>> >>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>sample >>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>> people >>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>> something >>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>> >>>> Thanks >>>> David >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Doh... There's the problem. TASKLIST.EXE doesn't exist on this system, anywhere. Weird. But then again neither do this user's TIF index.dat or History index.dat files (referring to another thread), but part of that may be because when I set it up, I changed the TIF directory to a different partition. (It's my wife's business machine and I don't dare mess with it too much now.) Guess I'll have to wait till I get back to my own machines to get any farther. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message news:eNcYkpd4HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Tasklist.exe is a standard WinXP command. It resides in the > System32 folder. If I had to resolve this issue then I would > perform these steps from a Command Prompt: > - Check if tasklist.exe exists in the System32 folder. > - Invoke it from the Command Prompt. > - Ensure that the path includes the System32 folder. > - Check if the batch file version works. > > > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG >> transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then >> nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I >> don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. >> Tried with Calc open and with it closed. >> >> Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a >> recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message >> news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >>> Firefox, with this command: >>> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >>> >>> Here is the script equivalent: >>> Option Explicit >>> Const App = "FIREFOX" >>> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >>> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >>> >>> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >>> >>> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >>> >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> While Len(line) > 0 >>> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >>> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >>> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >>> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >>> End If >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> Wend >>> >>> >>> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an >>>> example (calc needs to already be open): >>>> >>>> dim WshShell >>>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>>> WScript.Quit >>>> >>>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. >>>> For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, >>>> apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the >>>> app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>>> >>>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>>> place. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>> >>>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>>sample >>>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>>> people >>>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>>> something >>>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> David >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Paul Randall Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... The command line reference a-z supplied with WXP tells you about tasklist.exe. On my computer it resides in my system32 folder. -Paul Randall "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG > transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then > nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I > don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. > Tried with Calc open and with it closed. > > Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a > recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message > news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >> Firefox, with this command: >> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >> >> Here is the script equivalent: >> Option Explicit >> Const App = "FIREFOX" >> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >> >> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >> >> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >> >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> While Len(line) > 0 >> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >> End If >> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >> Wend >> >> >> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example >>> (calc needs to already be open): >>> >>> dim WshShell >>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>> WScript.Quit >>> >>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For >>> example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps >>> like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the app's >>> name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>> >>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>> place. >>> >>> -- >>> Gary S. Terhune >>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>> http://www.grystmill.com >>> >>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>sample >>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>> people >>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>> something >>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>> >>>> Thanks >>>> David >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Like I said, tasklist doesn't exist on this system. Turns out it's Home Edition. I'd forgotten about that. SysInternals' Process Explorer gives the info, but the PID varies for any one app. Assuming Tasklist.exe on the OP's system, he would have to use your script to return the PID and then use my SendKeys example to terminate it (or maybe a better method exists.) Even then, while it works with calc, my experimentation using WinWord for some reason fails. The app activates, but the SendKeys doesn't work...Odd... There's also the issue of dealing with any possible prompts for things like unsaved files... -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message news:uv551Ce4HHA.4400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > The command line reference a-z supplied with WXP tells you about > tasklist.exe. On my computer it resides in my system32 folder. > > -Paul Randall > > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG >> transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then >> nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I >> don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. >> Tried with Calc open and with it closed. >> >> Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a >> recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message >> news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >>> Firefox, with this command: >>> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >>> >>> Here is the script equivalent: >>> Option Explicit >>> Const App = "FIREFOX" >>> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >>> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >>> >>> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >>> >>> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >>> >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> While Len(line) > 0 >>> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >>> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >>> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >>> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >>> End If >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> Wend >>> >>> >>> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an >>>> example (calc needs to already be open): >>>> >>>> dim WshShell >>>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>>> WScript.Quit >>>> >>>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. >>>> For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, >>>> apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the >>>> app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>>> >>>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>>> place. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>> >>>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>>sample >>>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>>> people >>>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>>> something >>>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> David >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 18, 2007 Posted August 18, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Never mind, it works. While SendKeys doesn't work well if the window isn't actually brought up (AppActivate doesn't actually pull up the window) the use of Alt-F4 works for any of them. But this other thing would need to be dealt with: Say you have two instances of an app like Word open. AppActivate only activates one of them, arbitrarily. The remaining instance would have the same PID, so the script would need to loop through the same PID until none was found to exist. The script generates no errors using AppActivate if the PID doesn't exist. It just skips on by. AppActivate supposedly returns a Boolean value, but damned if I can retrieve it. Brain is getting foggy. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message news:uv551Ce4HHA.4400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > The command line reference a-z supplied with WXP tells you about > tasklist.exe. On my computer it resides in my system32 folder. > > -Paul Randall > > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG >> transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then >> nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I >> don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no return. >> Tried with Calc open and with it closed. >> >> Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a >> recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file." >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message >> news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >>> Firefox, with this command: >>> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >>> >>> Here is the script equivalent: >>> Option Explicit >>> Const App = "FIREFOX" >>> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >>> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >>> >>> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >>> >>> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >>> >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> While Len(line) > 0 >>> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >>> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >>> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >>> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >>> End If >>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>> Wend >>> >>> >>> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an >>>> example (calc needs to already be open): >>>> >>>> dim WshShell >>>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>>> WScript.Quit >>>> >>>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. >>>> For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, >>>> apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the >>>> app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>>> >>>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>>> place. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>> >>>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>>sample >>>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>>> people >>>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>>> something >>>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> David >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 19, 2007 Posted August 19, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... My mistake, using the title, e.g., "Microsoft Word" works just fine. I was encountering a different error. AppActivate will look at the title in various ways until it finds one that fits. Thus, Process ID isn't necessary. But after thinking about it, why not look into EndItAll? Not sure, but I presume there is a simple way to run it from a command line or script. Gets rid of the need to figure out what's open that needs closing. Or, you can force a reboot and then run your utilities. Of course, if anything needs saving, that last suggestion will force the reboot and the save will not occur. Then again, that's only really a problem for your lazy users, isn't it? -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB script, > I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example of a kludge > that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an example (calc needs > to already be open): > > dim WshShell > set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" > WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" > WScript.Quit > > Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the name > of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm not sure > how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using the title of > the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. For example, while > the title bar for Calculator is always the same, apps like Word and IE > list the open document's name, followed by the app's name, like this: "My > Test Document - Microsoft Word". > > I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first > place. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some sample >> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with people >> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps something >> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >> >> Thanks >> David > >
Guest Pegasus \(MVP\) Posted August 19, 2007 Posted August 19, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... If you have several applications of the same name then each has its own PID. Switching to that PID and using Alt+F4 would kill each application individually. A more effective method might be to use taskkill.exe (another WinXP Professional tool): taskkill /PID nnn /f taskkill /Im Winword /f The /f switch would take care of user prompts. "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:ePj4%23ze4HHA.2752@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > Never mind, it works. While SendKeys doesn't work well if the window isn't > actually brought up (AppActivate doesn't actually pull up the window) the > use of Alt-F4 works for any of them. But this other thing would need to be > dealt with: Say you have two instances of an app like Word open. > AppActivate only activates one of them, arbitrarily. The remaining > instance would have the same PID, so the script would need to loop through > the same PID until none was found to exist. The script generates no errors > using AppActivate if the PID doesn't exist. It just skips on by. > AppActivate supposedly returns a Boolean value, but damned if I can > retrieve it. Brain is getting foggy. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message > news:uv551Ce4HHA.4400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> The command line reference a-z supplied with WXP tells you about >> tasklist.exe. On my computer it resides in my system32 folder. >> >> -Paul Randall >> >> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >> news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG >>> transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, then >>> nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, which I >>> don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with no >>> return. Tried with Calc open and with it closed. >>> >>> Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a >>> recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch >>> file." >>> >>> -- >>> Gary S. Terhune >>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>> http://www.grystmill.com >>> >>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message >>> news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >>>> Firefox, with this command: >>>> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >>>> >>>> Here is the script equivalent: >>>> Option Explicit >>>> Const App = "FIREFOX" >>>> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >>>> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >>>> >>>> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >>>> >>>> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >>>> >>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>> While Len(line) > 0 >>>> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >>>> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >>>> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >>>> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >>>> End If >>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>> Wend >>>> >>>> >>>> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >>>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>>> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>>>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one example >>>>> of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as an >>>>> example (calc needs to already be open): >>>>> >>>>> dim WshShell >>>>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>>>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>>>> WScript.Quit >>>>> >>>>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>>>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. I'm >>>>> not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. Using >>>>> the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it varies. >>>>> For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the same, >>>>> apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed by the >>>>> app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>>>> >>>>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>>>> place. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>>> >>>>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>>>sample >>>>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>>>> people >>>>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>>>> something >>>>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks >>>>>> David >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 19, 2007 Posted August 19, 2007 Re: Closing a program with script... Using Process Explorer to see the PID, launching several instances of Word only generates one PID. Have to repeat the close procedure until all are closed. Launching several instances of IE behaves as you describe. Taskkill looks more interesting, but it still requires that the script identify apps that are open that need to be closed, as opposed to services, etc., that you don't want killed. I think EndItAll is probably the best solution. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message news:%23a1wmXi4HHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > If you have several applications of the same name then each > has its own PID. Switching to that PID and using Alt+F4 > would kill each application individually. > > A more effective method might be to use taskkill.exe (another > WinXP Professional tool): > > taskkill /PID nnn /f > taskkill /Im Winword /f > > The /f switch would take care of user prompts. > > > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:ePj4%23ze4HHA.2752@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> Never mind, it works. While SendKeys doesn't work well if the window >> isn't actually brought up (AppActivate doesn't actually pull up the >> window) the use of Alt-F4 works for any of them. But this other thing >> would need to be dealt with: Say you have two instances of an app like >> Word open. AppActivate only activates one of them, arbitrarily. The >> remaining instance would have the same PID, so the script would need to >> loop through the same PID until none was found to exist. The script >> generates no errors using AppActivate if the PID doesn't exist. It just >> skips on by. AppActivate supposedly returns a Boolean value, but damned >> if I can retrieve it. Brain is getting foggy. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message >> news:uv551Ce4HHA.4400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >>> The command line reference a-z supplied with WXP tells you about >>> tasklist.exe. On my computer it resides in my system32 folder. >>> >>> -Paul Randall >>> >>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>> news:O2jEiwc4HHA.4676@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>> After fixing the line return problems in the script, engendered by NG >>>> transfer, I can't make it work. I get a command window flashing by, >>>> then nothing. I'm using Calculator as a test, rather than Firefox, >>>> which I don't have installed. Tried it in a command window, also, with >>>> no return. Tried with Calc open and with it closed. >>>> >>>> Using the command line in a command window, I get "'Tasklist'" is not a >>>> recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch >>>> file." >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>> >>>> "Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message >>>> news:OjM25fb4HHA.1184@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >>>>> You can obtain the process ID of an active task, e.g. for >>>>> Firefox, with this command: >>>>> for /f "tokens=2" %a in ('tasklist ^| find /i "Firefox"') do echo %a >>>>> >>>>> Here is the script equivalent: >>>>> Option Explicit >>>>> Const App = "FIREFOX" >>>>> Dim ObjWshShell, ObjExec >>>>> Dim ComSpec, SystemRoot, line >>>>> >>>>> Set ObjWshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>>> ComSpec = ObjWshShell.Environment("PROCESS")("ComSpec") >>>>> >>>>> Set ObjExec = ObjWshShell.Exec(ComSpec & " /c tasklist.exe") >>>>> >>>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>>> While Len(line) > 0 >>>>> If InStr(UCase(line), App) > 0 Then >>>>> line=LTrim(Right(line, Len(line) - InStr(line," "))) >>>>> WScript.Echo("Process ID for """ & App & """ is " & >>>>> Left(line,InStr(line," "))) >>>>> End If >>>>> line = ObjExec.StdOut.ReadLine >>>>> Wend >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> http://www.stadt-solothurn.ch/de/aktuelles/aktuellesinformationen/?action=showinfo&info_id=54610 >>>>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message >>>>> news:emtBqhU4HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>>>>> What apps? Oddly enough, while it's easy to run an app using a VB >>>>>> script, I find no method to easily exit an app. But here's one >>>>>> example of a kludge that will work for some apps. Using calculator as >>>>>> an example (calc needs to already be open): >>>>>> >>>>>> dim WshShell >>>>>> set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") >>>>>> WshShell.AppActivate "calculator" >>>>>> WshShell.SendKeys "%{f4}" >>>>>> WScript.Quit >>>>>> >>>>>> Problem is, to identify the application and activate it requires the >>>>>> name of the app as it appears in the title bar, or the Process ID. >>>>>> I'm not sure how to obtain a Process ID, but that's what you'd want. >>>>>> Using the title of the app is not useful in many cases, because it >>>>>> varies. For example, while the title bar for Calculator is always the >>>>>> same, apps like Word and IE list the open document's name, followed >>>>>> by the app's name, like this: "My Test Document - Microsoft Word". >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm curious: Why it's important that the apps be closed in the first >>>>>> place. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Gary S. Terhune >>>>>> MS-MVP Shell/User >>>>>> http://www.grystmill.com >>>>>> >>>>>> "116" <116@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>>>> news:4B36897E-3D5E-4FED-8E20-E1ABD840DF51@microsoft.com... >>>>>>>I am looking for some assistance in locating who to or perhaps some >>>>>>>sample >>>>>>> script for closing a running program. I am having difficulty with >>>>>>> people >>>>>>> shutting down app's when they go home for the evening. Perhaps >>>>>>> something >>>>>>> that I can Task Schedule to run every evening. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks >>>>>>> David >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
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