How to check if another instance of an assembly is running (Different file names)

Question

Could someone show how it is possible to check whether another instance of the program (e.g. my_prog_1.exe) is running and if so stop the application from loading if there is an existing instance of it With Different File Name (e.g. my_prog_2.exe).
both assemblies are the same, but their file name is different.

please see this thread :
c-sharp-how-to-check-if-another-instance-of-the-application-is-running
in this thread the answer checks the file names, but i need another parameter other than file names...

Use `mutex` like described [here](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/19147/what-is-the-correct-way-to-create-a-single-instance-application) and [here](http://sanity-free.org/143/csharp_dotnet_single_instance_application.html). — Rohit Vats, Jan 01 '14 at 18:45
A word of caution regarding the second link posted by @Rohit: Do **not** copy the GUID (`{8F6F0AC4-B9A1-45fd-A8CF-72F04E6BDE8F}`) as is, but rather create a new one (VS: Tools -> Create GUID). [GUID](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globally_unique_identifier)s - as the name implies - are unique. — IInspectable, Jan 01 '14 at 18:57
thank you guys! interesting! works like a charm:) please put your comment as answer @Rohit Vats — SilverLight, Jan 01 '14 at 19:07

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 02 '14 at 06:47

You can use Mutex like described here to achieve single instance of an application. For the sake of completeness, i am posting the code here in case link gets stale.

static class Program {
    static Mutex mutex = new Mutex(true, "{8F6F0AC4-B9A1-45fd-A8CF-72F04E6BDE8F}");
    [STAThread]
    static void Main() {
        if(mutex.WaitOne(TimeSpan.Zero, true)) {
            Application.EnableVisualStyles();
            Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
            Application.Run(new Form1());
            mutex.ReleaseMutex();
        } else {
            MessageBox.Show("only one instance at a time");
        }
    }
}

Also make sure like i mentioned in comment generate new GUID and can append company URL so that you always lock on unique object for your application.

Exactly what i need. Neat solution. Thank you – Alan Deep Apr 10 '18 at 21:21 — Alan Deep, Apr 10 '18 at 21:21

How to check if another instance of an assembly is running (Different file names)

1 Answers1