Thanks to those who helped me on my previous problem with my batch FILES and calling up command windows. The shell program WORKS great, now the only downfall is that when the command windows CALLED up by my batch file open, they are always the focus or active window. Is there any way to call them up so they will not keep jumping to the top layer on the screen? I ASK this because right now it takes about 3 hours to run the program that my shell is utilizing so it essentially MAKES that computer unusable for 3 hours. Thanks for the help.Try this: start /min yourfile.batJPH's suggestion should work.

But you should be able to switch to any other open program even though the command window is on top.

Try an OLD trick that goes back all the way to Windows 3.1(or before).
ALT_Tab
Press and hold the ALT key.
Press and release the Tab key one or more times until an icon for the program you want is displayed.
Release the ALT key.
You can use this method to switch between any open programs, but really comes in handy when your task bar is hidden under a full screen command window.