JSI Tip 3439. How can I bring a window to the forefront, or start it if it isn't running?

Downloads
activate.zip

If you need to script the start of an application, or activate it if it is already running, ACTIVATE freeware, from the author of Reg, may suit your needs:

ACTIVATE \[/T"TITLE PREFIX" \[/C"Class"\] cmdline

Silly example

If you want to activate or start Notepad, without any document loaded:

activate /T:"Untitled - Notepad" Notepad.exe

NOTE: The Title Prefix is NOT case sensitive. In the above example, untitled - n will also work. NOTE: This functionality could be usefull when using SendKeys.