Using VBA to search with Everything

[vip_shadow]

From Microsoft Access VBA, I use the following line to search a file name :

Code: Select all

Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -s test.txt"

The file is searched successfully, but everything window remains minimized (or behind Excel/Access)
I have to select Everything's icon in taskbar to see the results.
Is there any way to bring Everything to front after each search?


thank you.

[void]

Sounds like Everything is denied SetForegroundWindow privileges.

Is the program calling
Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -s test.txt"
in the foreground?

Try running:
Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -debug -s test.txt"

And look for the following in the debug console:
SetForegroundWindow failed xxxxxxxx
SetActiveWindow failed xxxxxxxx
SetForegroundWindow2 failed xxxxxxxx

What is the error code?



For a hack to force Everything into the foreground (not recommended):

• In Everything, type in the following search and press ENTER:
  /set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1
• If successful, set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1 is shown in the statusbar for a few seconds.

This will allow Everything to set itself as the foreground window, even when SetForegroundWindow privileges are denied.

[vip_shadow]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Is the program calling
Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -s test.txt"
in the foreground?

Yes, It is.

Try running:
Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -debug -s test.txt"

And look for the following in the debug console:
SetForegroundWindow failed xxxxxxxx
SetActiveWindow failed xxxxxxxx
SetForegroundWindow2 failed xxxxxxxx

What is the error code?

Followed your instruction. But I couldn't find any mention of any keywords listed above. This is what I received.

2021-11-05_16-23-51.jpg (119.55 KiB) Viewed 5715 times

For a hack to force Everything into the foreground (not recommended):

• In Everything, type in the following search and press ENTER:
  /set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1
• If successful, set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1 is shown in the statusbar for a few seconds.

Since this is not recommended, I leave it as the last solution.

Any further assist is much appreciated.

[vip_shadow]

I just tested the same procedure on 3 other PCs, running on Win 10 and Win 11.
All has the same results.
Everything stays in the background though the file is searched and the result is OK.

[vip_shadow]

For a hack to force Everything into the foreground (not recommended):

• In Everything, type in the following search and press ENTER:
  /set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1
• If successful, set_foreground_window_attach_thread_input=1 is shown in the statusbar for a few seconds.

I just tested this on a machine that I don't use so often.
Copied and pasted the above (including /) into Everything.
Nothing appeared in the status bar.
This was a Win 10 machine.

[vip_shadow]

Any further insight on this please?

[void]

From the shell function documentation, please try calling:

Code: Select all

Shell "C:\Program Files\Everything\Everything.exe -s test.txt" 1

I'm not sure why the default is to run minimized.

[vip_shadow]

Million thanks.
Problem solved.