Opening files from Windows Explorer in the current instance

pdesaulniers · Post by **pdesaulniers** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:42 pm

I did search for topics regarding this question and found two. One the answer was a link to a topic that no longer exists, the other was an answer that isn't what I really want.

In Textpad 4, when I open a file in Windows Explorer while I already have an instance of Textpad running, the file opens in that instance. I have the "allow multiple instances" checked in my preferences. This is the desired behavior.

In Textpad 5, when I open a file in Windows Explorer while I already have an instance of Textpad running, I get a new instance of Textpad. I don't want to turn off "allow multiple instances" because at times I also want two instances running.

How can I get Textpad 5 to open files into a new tab instead of a new instance while allowing me to open another instance if I so choose?

Thank you

-- Peter

Bob Hansen · Post by **Bob Hansen** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:30 pm

I don't have access to TextPad right now, but....

You need to check this, but I think there is a startup switch that toggles multiple files option. Check Help for Parameters. I think the switch is "-m"

If that is correct, you could make two icons for starting Textpad. One without the switch active and another with the switch inactive.

But you will have to decide which will be associated with each file class. The system will never know whether you want multiple files active or not. You will need to make one of these the default. Else, leave everything alone, and use configuration to manually change preference before you go to select files to be opened.

Quatrix · Post by **Quatrix** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:56 pm

I want just the opposite -- always open a new instance since tabs aren't much use to me (that's what the Windows taskbar is for).

When I associate a new file extension from inside TextPad, the default behavior is to use an existing instance. I force it to open a new window by going into the XP file type properties and unchecking "Use DDE". It doesn't use -m by default, so I'm not sure that's the issue for this guy. If you can't get it working, my suggestion is to delete the Windows file association, then re-associate it from TextPad. That might reset the behavior to use an existing window.

leefa · Post by **leefa** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:57 pm

I want the file to open in the most recent instance , just like it did in Textpad 4 TOO!!!! But I still want to be able to have multiple instances.

sja · Post by **sja** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:59 am

I need exactly the same thing as leefa - I should be able to start as many TextPad instances as I like, but new files opened from Windows Explorer should load into the instance that last had focus, just like in 4.7.3.

This functionality was one of the many good things that made TextPad the best text editor in the world - the complete and easy control over which files loaded into which TextPad instance.

I have had to go back to 4.7.3 due to this issue, but this reversion has caused another strange problem - when I go into Preferences in v4.7.3, it takes several seconds to load the dialog box. I hope this can be fixed - having a broken TextPad is almost as bad as having a broken keyboard...

MattS · Post by **MattS** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:05 am

I second sja and would like the behaviour leefa describes. Is there a configuration setting or something which will allow the same behaviour as 4.7.3?

Thoksville · Post by **Thoksville** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:56 pm

I second MattS, seconding sja, and would like the behaviour leefa describes.
This thread seems to be old-ish, has anyone found the trick yet?
Thanks.