Why does a Toplevel window get destroyed when the main window is minimized?

Question

from tkinter import *

root = Tk()
root.geometry("500x500")

toplevel = Toplevel()
toplevel.attributes("-toolwindow" , 1)

mainloop()

In this code, when I minimize the main window and open it again, the toplevel window disappears.

Here's an image(GIF) describing my problem:

Is there any way to avoid this?

It would be great if anyone could help me out.

(OS: Windows 10, Python version: 3.9.1, Tkinter version: 8.6)

Yes, the problem does not occur when I remove the `-toolwindow` attribute, but I am using this attribute because I want to remove the minimize and maximize option in my toplevel window. — Lenovo 360, Feb 18 '21 at 17:31
In Windows 7, the *tool* window keeps open even the main window is minimized. So better state the platform you used. — acw1668, Feb 19 '21 at 01:38
I tested in Windows 10 (Python 3.9.1) and the result is the same as when I tested in Windows 7. — acw1668, Feb 19 '21 at 11:38
@acw1668: I have posted an image(GIF) that describes my problem. — Lenovo 360, Feb 21 '21 at 04:45
@acw1668 : Yes, you are right. The window does not disappear, instead it just goes behind all windows — Lenovo 360, Feb 21 '21 at 09:52

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 18 '21 at 17:30

1

The toolwindow attribute is specifically designed to make the window hide when the root window hides. If you don't want that behavior, don't set that attribute.

answered Feb 18 '21 at 17:30

Bryan Oakley

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I am using the `-toolwindow` attribute because I want to remove the minimize and maximize option in my toplevel window. If it is the `-toolwindow`attribute that is causing the problem, is there anything else I can do to remove the minimize and maximize options? – Lenovo 360 Feb 18 '21 at 17:36
@Lenovo360: you can set the `overrideredirect` flag which will remove the entire titlebar. – Bryan Oakley Feb 18 '21 at 18:02
I don't want to remove the whole title bar, instead I only want to remove the minimize and maximize option. Is there any way to achieve this? – Lenovo 360 Feb 18 '21 at 18:07
@Lenovo, yes but it probably will be system specific. – Thingamabobs Feb 18 '21 at 18:37

Lenovo 360 · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-14T13:49:04.677

With the help of acw1668, I found the answer by myself.

The top-level window does not disappear; instead, it just goes behind all the windows.

There is a way to bring it back:

from tkinter import *

root = Tk()
root.geometry("500x500")

def bring_window_back(e):
    toplevel.attributes('-topmost' , 1)
    toplevel.attributes('-topmost' , 0)
    
toplevel = Toplevel(root)
toplevel.attributes("-toolwindow" , 1)

root.bind("<Map>" , bring_window_back)

mainloop()

Note: The <Map> binding may not work properly on linux. If you are searching for a solution for this, please see: Binding callbacks to minimize and maximize events in Toplevel windows

Hope this helps you all.

Why does a Toplevel window get destroyed when the main window is minimized?

2 Answers2