# Win32ole questions

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/win32ole-questions/48216>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [November 15, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/win32ole-questions/48216 "2005-11-15T20:34:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/itsme213)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/win32ole-questions/48216/1 "2005-11-15T20:34:08Z")

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Starting without any Powerpoint or Word tasks running: after I do:

p1 = WIN32OLE.new “Powerpoint.Application”  
p2 = WIN32OLE.new “Powerpoint.Application”

w1 = WIN32OLE.new “Word.Application”  
w2 = WIN32OLE.new “Word.Application”

In Windows Task Manager I now see:  
1 Powerpoint task  
2 Word tasks

Why the difference?

Also, what is the best way to script non-COM applications on windows  
e.g. by  
scripting their UI events?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/itsme213)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/win32ole-questions/48216/2 "2005-11-15T22:38:16Z")

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On 11/15/05, itsme213 [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> 2 Word tasks
> 
> Why the difference?

PowerPoint allows only a single instance to be running at any one time.  
Word allows multiple instances. Simple as that.

> Also, what is the best way to script non-COM applications on windows e.g. by  
> scripting their UI events?

AutoIt ([AutoIt Scripting Language - AutoIt](http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/)) is pretty good for that  
kind of thing (and it’s free 🙂

Regards,

Sean

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@itsme213](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/itsme213)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/win32ole-questions/48216/3 "2005-11-15T23:35:29Z")

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Hi!

To see, in word (options), “fenêtres dans la barre des tâches” (in french) ;  
in english, it is, perhaps, “windows in taskbar”

@-salutations

Michel Claveau