PowerToys Run: Doesn't Switch to Existing Application Instances

[rudrakshkarpe]

Description of the new feature / enhancement:

When utilizing the PowerToys Run feature to open an application that is already running, it currently creates a new instance of that application instead of switching to the existing one. This behavior can be counterproductive and inefficient, especially for programmers who frequently navigate between multiple instances of the same application, such as the Windows Terminal.

Scenario when this would be used?

Example - Windows Terminal:

Let's take the Windows Terminal as an example. As a programmer, I often have multiple terminal windows open, each serving a different purpose - one for running a local server, another for version control commands, and a third for general use.

With the current behavior of PowerToys Run:

If I use PowerToys Run to launch Windows Terminal while it's already open with these three instances, a new instance of Windows Terminal opens, adding unnecessary clutter to my workspace.

If I want to switch between these instances, I have to manually locate and click on the specific instance I want to use. This defeats the purpose of an application launcher like PowerToys Run, which is intended to streamline workflow and enhance productivity.

Supporting information

Suggested Improvement:

I propose that PowerToys Run should be enhanced to intelligently recognize when an application is already running and switch to the existing instance instead of creating a new one. This behavior would greatly benefit programmers and users who frequently switch between multiple instances of the same application.

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[TheJoeFin]

/dup #5962

[microsoft-github-policy-service]

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!