How to start external program from Python script in the foreground?

Question

import os
os.system("notepad macros.txt")

or

from subprocess import Popen
Popen(["notepad", "macros.txt"])

both start notepad in the background. How to start it in the foreground?

Cédric Julien · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-15 09:07:13Z

2

You can try to use the start command, maybe the /MAX option will force notepad to be in foreground, otherwise if you can wait untill notepad shutdown, use the /WAIT option/

Popen(["start", "/MAX", "notepad", "macros.txt"], shell=True)

edited Sep 15, 2011 at 9:07

answered Sep 15, 2011 at 8:39

Cédric Julien

81.2k16 gold badges131 silver badges134 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

DSblizzard Over a year ago

It seems this code does not work in Windows: "WindowsError: [Error 2]"

Cédric Julien Over a year ago

@DSblizzard : I add the shell=True parameter (otherwise you'll have to specify the complete pathes), on my WindowsXP it works even without the /MAX option.

pelos Over a year ago

is possible to populate a cmd? something like process = subprocess.Popen(["start", "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe", "cd C:/folder;dir"], shell=True) I want to be able to open 3 cmd windows and start certain programs from there.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to start external program from Python script in the foreground?

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related