In Windows if I have the PID for an application and I want to either focus or close the app via the command prompt.
What commands do I need to run?
e.g.
FOCUS 123
or
CLOSE 123
Where 123 is the PID.
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3 Answers
To kill an app instance using its PID, use taskkill /pid <pid> (tasklist will list all the running processes).
To switch focus to an app instance using its PID, use the VBScript below:
set objShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
objShell.AppActivate WScript.Arguments.Item(0)
objShell.SendKeys "% x"
The MSDN documentation says that % represents ALT. Together with SPACE we can access the Alt-Space popup menu, and use an keyboard accelerator to maximize or restore the window.
If you save it as Focus.vbs, you can invoke it from the command line using:
wscript Focus.vbs <pid>
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Actually there is a nasty bug with this. If the window is minimized then it makes it impossible to focus any other window as it tries to focus the window but can't and just flickers. Is it possible to get it to focus windows that have been minimized?– CameronJun 22, 2015 at 13:35
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Minimized windows can actually receive focus while remaining minimized. If you want the minimized window to be un-minimized/restored along with receiving focus, let me know and I'll see what can be done about it.– KaranJun 22, 2015 at 13:38
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Yes, I'd like it to un-minimized/restored and then focused so that this bug can't happen. Thanks.– CameronJun 22, 2015 at 13:39
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Ok, give me some time please. BTW, on my system the minimized window's taskbar button lights up showing it has received focus, but there's no flicker and I can easily click on and switch focus to other windows. Not sure what's causing the problem on your system.– KaranJun 22, 2015 at 13:40
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I think it;s the loop that causes it, because it hasn't managed to focus the application properly and thereforce causes it to keep trying and therefore prevents other windows from being interacted with. I've disabled the loop, so it's just a case of doing a restore and a focus and should be fine.– CameronJun 22, 2015 at 13:50
From windows command taskkill:
taskkill [/s Computer] [/u Domain\User [/p Password]]] [/fi FilterName] [/pid ProcessID]|[/im ImageName] [/f][/t]
Example: taskkill /pid 123
Source Microsoft
How do I kill a process using it's PID?
You can a process using tskill:
tskill 123
Syntax
TSKILL processid | processname [ /SERVER:servername] [ /ID:sessionid | /A] [ /V]
Source tskill
How do I set focus to a process using it's PID?
To set the focus to an application you will need to use a 3rd party application, such as Nircmd Win.
nircmd win focus process /123
Syntax
nircmd win [action] [find] [window to find] [Additional Parameters]
Source Nircmd Win
answered Jun 16, 2015 at 12:36
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I get the error that
winis not recognised as an internal or external command.– CameronJun 16, 2015 at 13:12 -
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winis actuallynircmd's subcommand, that is full syntax isnircmd win focus process /123.– user373230Jun 29, 2015 at 0:48