PersistentWindows/Help.md

PersistentWindows quick help

• PW command line options

  Command line option	Meaning
  -splash=0	No splash window at PW startup
  -redirect_appdata	Use current dir instead of user appdata dir to store database file, this option allows launching multiple PW instances.
  -prompt_session_restore	Upon resuming last session, ask user before restore window layout, this may help to reduce total restore time for remote desktop session on slow internet connection.
  -notification=1	Turn on balloon tip and sound notification when restoring windows
  -halt_restore <seconds>	Delay auto restore by specified seconds in case monitor fails to go to sleep due to fast off-on-off switching.
  -redraw_desktop	redraw whole desktop windows after restore
  -fix_zorder=1	Turn on z-order fix for automatic restore
  -fix_offscreen_window=0	Turn off auto correction of off-screen window
  -fix_unminimized_window=0	Turn off auto restore of unminimized window
  ‑auto_restore_missing_windows=1	Restore missing windows from disk without prompting user
  ‑auto_restore_missing_windows=2	Automatic restore missing windows from disk at startup, user will be prompted before restore each missing window
  ‑auto_restore_missing_windows=3	Automatic restore missing windows from disk at startup without prompting user
  -check_upgrade=0	Disable PW upgrade check from beginning
  -auto_upgrade=1	Upgrade PW automatically without user interaction

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• Command shortcut to capture/restore snapshot

  Snapshot command	Shortcut
  Capture snapshot 0	Double click PW icon
  Restore snapshot 0	Click PW icon
  Capture snapshot N	Shift click PW icon N times (N = 1, 2, 3)
  Restore snapshot N	Ctrl click PW icon N times
  Capture snapshot X	Double click PW icon then immediately press key X (X represents a digit [0-9] or a letter [a-z])
  Restore snapshot X	Click PW icon then immediately press key X
  Undo last snapshot restore	Alt click PW icon

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• Run PW with customized icon

  • Rename your customized icon file as pwIcon.ico and copy it to 'C:/Users/<YOUR_ID>/AppData/Local/PersistentWindows/', or copy it to current directory if running (second inst of) PW with -redirect_appdata switch from command console.
  • Add second icon file, rename it to pwIconBusy.ico, this icon is displayed when PW is busy restoring windows.

• Manipulate window z-order

  • Bring a window to top z-order by clear the topmost flag of obstructive window
    • Click on other window first to defocus, then Ctrl click the window (or the corresponding icon on taskbar) that you want to bring to top.
  • Send remote desktop or vncviewer window to bottom z-order (because Alt+Esc hotkey does not work for them)
    • Defocus rdp window first, then hold Ctrl+Win keys and click the rdp window

• Enable/Disable auto restore for a particular window

  • To add a (child/dialog) window for auto capture/restore, move the window using mouse
  • To remove a window from auto capture/restore, hold Ctrl+Shift keys then move the window using mouse