Stereo Tool

New install on windows 11, latest version with new gui.

Finding that after a user complaining it won’t stop streaming, that multiple copies are running. This could be because they think it’s closed when it’s actually just minimised, but how do I stop it starting a new copy each time it’s “run”? Searching for things like “single instance” just brings up questions about how to use a single instance for multiple purposes

I’ve also been told that it started streaming to icecast by itself once, but in the absence of any evidence (maybe extended logging that I can dig into) I’m guessing that might be user confusion caused by the above.

edit: I may have misunderstood the question, please try restating it a different way. What do you mean by "run"? Not double-clicked, but using the Win+R "Run command"?

edit2: Are you asking for a way to prevent more than one instance from a single executable?

Not sure how that smilie ended up so big! But anyway...

> What do you mean by "run"? Not double-clicked, but using the Win+R "Run command"?

Just started, basically. There's a shortcut on the bottom bar to

"C:\Program Files\Stereo Tool\StereoTool.exe"

But, when it's minimised, clicking the icon again starts another copy. So they end up with several copies running (see image). So when they stop streaming from within Stereo Tool (at which point Liquid Soap should switch back to automated 24/7 music), cue panic because it won't stop streaming (cos one of the background Stereo Tools is still doing it!).

https://imgur.com/a/7jbZNeC

edit: Yes, I guess so! Not much of a windows guru, and ChatGPT told me I should try adding "--single-instance" to it, which didn't do a lot. But anything that will stop a second copy starting.

I've used older versions that didn't do this, but I don't know if this is a Windows 11 thing or a ST thing...

Ah! Thank you for making it more clear. Yeah the emojis are not properly supported on this forum software for some reason As far as I know, currently, there is no way to stop it from doing this. I remember this behavior being added a while back, but I was also never clear on why it worked this way. I've asked about a potential command line switch or checkbox to allow it to work in exclusively single-instance mode. I'll get back to you as soon as I hear something.

One thing you can do until then is try to avoid using a taskbar shortcut for Stereo Tool. It can start with Windows or you can use a desktop shortcut to circumvent this behavior. Then again, there's always the quick list of commonly used/pinned apps in the Start Menu-type thing in Windows 11, in case you like a clean desktop.

Using an icon on the desk top is no different unfortunately

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xna0x8hk ... q9vud&dl=0

Ah, sorry. I should have been more clear. You wouldn't be reopening the instance from the desktop/start icon. It would be for your initial launch. You would be reopening from the tray or from the taskbar itself if the "Minimize to system tray" is unchecked.

To keep it going to the tray, one would choose "On closing application -- Always minimize to system tray" found on the configuration page. Then to shut down the app, one would right-click the system tray icon.

I think that would be how to make sure it doesn't close, which is kind of the opposite But I guess I could write a script or something that checks for an open instance before starting it. Otherwise it's a case of trying to educate people not to start it, unless I completely hide the app