Parameter	Meaning
vbHide	The new application is invisible and does not appear in the task bar. This option is rarely used.
vbMaximizedFocus	The new application is maximized and gets the input focus.
vbMinimizedFocus	The new application is minimized and gets the input focus. While this seems like one of the less useful modes, it is the default if you leave the parameter off.
vbMinimizedNoFocus	The new application is minimized and does not get the input focus. This is more common than vbMinimizedFocus.
vbNormalFocus	The application starts normally and gets the focus. This is probably the most commonly used setting.
vbNormalNoFocus	The application starts at normal size but does not get the focus.

In this program, the TextBox txtProgram gives the path to the program and the ComboBox cboShellStyle selects the program's run style.

' Start the program.
Private Sub cmdRun_Click()
    On Error GoTo ShellError

    Select Case cboShellStyle.Text
        Case "vbHide"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbHide
        Case "vbMaximizedFocus"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbMaximizedFocus
        Case "vbMinimizedFocus"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbMinimizedFocus
        Case "vbMinimizedNoFocus"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbMinimizedNoFocus
        Case "vbNormalFocus"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbNormalFocus
        Case "vbNormalNoFocus"
            Shell txtProgram.Text, vbNormalNoFocus
    End Select
    Exit Sub

ShellError:
    MsgBox "Error Shelling file." & vbCrLf & _
        Err.Description, vbOKOnly Or vbExclamation, _
        "Error"
    Exit Sub
End Sub

• Start another program using Shell for basic information on using Shell.
• Start another program using Shell and get its Window handle (hWnd) for information on converting the task ID into a Window handle (hWnd).
• Start another program using Shell and wait for it to exit for information on starting a program and waiting for it to finish.