Start (and stop) multiple programs with one click?

[iynque]

I want to be able to quit several programs that are usually running in the background with one click so I can devote more resources to resource-intensive programs. When I'm done, I want to bring all those programs back with one click.

What's the best way to accomplish this? If not quitting them, how can I at least launch them all at once, rather than repeatedly diving into the Start Menu to open each one?

 

[derekimo]

Welcome to the forum,

I found this for starting multiple programs at once,

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...w-start-multiple-programs-one-mouseclick.html

 

[iynque]

Welcome to the forum,

I found this for starting multiple programs at once,

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...w-start-multiple-programs-one-mouseclick.html

I saw that and tried it. It didn't work for me. No errors, and no programs launched. I used to write batch files for Windows 98 and a little for XP too, but then I switched to Mac. I have no idea how that command works or why it produces no results, either errors or successfully launched programs.

...If you want to look at it closely and either explain it or debug it, I would really appreciate it...

EDIT: Here's exactly what happens when I try to run my batch file:

And the whole of my batch:

FOR %%X IN (%userprofile%\LaunchEm\*.*) DO rundll32 shell32.dll,ShellExec_RunDLL %%X

 

[iynque]

I know it's only been 18 hours since I first posted, but... really? No ideas? Anyone?

On my Mac, I do the same thing with Automator. It's as easy as dropping in "Quit Application" and "Launch Application," and then saving it as a new app. One click and it's all taken care of for me. Is there anything like this on Windows?

I found Jitbit Macro Recorder (http://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder/) which claims to be "Automator for Windows," but surely there's a way to launch and quit programs without spending $30-$60 for the privilege.

 

[derekimo]

Sorry, that's not working.

I've asked for some other eyes to have a look.

 

[iynque]

Thanks!

For now I'm using a folder full of shortcuts for launching the programs, but I would still like a one-click solution, and I have no way to shut them down other than going to each one and killing it myself. :/

 

[derekimo]

You're welcome, I'm sure someone will post something, our members never cease to amaze me with the vast array of knowledge they have.

 

[F5ing]

Instead of this:

FOR %%X IN (%userprofile%\LaunchEm\*.*) DO rundll32 shell32.dll,ShellExec_RunDLL %%X

Try this (same line but inserted two quotation marks):

FOR %%X IN ("%userprofile%\LaunchEm\*.*") DO rundll32 shell32.dll,ShellExec_RunDLL %%X

 

[iynque]

Success! Thanks! I thought about that, but when I went to my batch file obviously %userprofile% has no spaces so I figured it was okay. My mistake!

So that takes care of launching several programs. I still don't know how to easily quit them.

 

[F5ing]

Yeah, it wasn't immediately obvious to me either when I looked at your batch line, but looking at the screenshot nailed it ('C:\Users\Andrew' instead of 'C:\Users\Andrew Williams\...'). Over the years I've gradually come around to making sure I use the quotes whether they're needed or not; you never know how a parameter will be expanded (including the *.* in your code). On top of that it's usually a pain in the rear to debug when they're missing when needed.

Type taskkill /? in a command prompt. You can use some form of that in a batch file to kill your apps. Not sure if you'll be able to get your stop.bat as versatile or 'elegant' as your start.bat, but at least it'll be able to get it done with a single command.

 

[iynque]

Type taskkill /? in a command prompt. You can use some form of that in a batch file to kill your apps. Not sure if you'll be able to get your stop.bat as versatile or 'elegant' as your start.bat, but at least it'll be able to get it done with a single command.

OK, cool. I'll play around with it and see what I can do. Thanks for your help!

 

[F5ing]

You're welcome! Let us know what you end up with.