Spyder opens new instances when double-clicking Python scripts

[jsh9]

Problem Description

I recently upgraded Spyder to 3.2.8 from 3.2.4. I bind Spyder with any .py files on my Windows 10 computer, i.e., on the right-click menu of a certain .py file, under "open with", I choose "choose another app", and choose "C:\Anaconda3\Scripts\spyder.exe" to open .py files (and I check "Always use this app to open .py files" option).

After upgrading to 3.2.8, I found that every time I double-clicked a .py file, a new instance of Spyder opens up, with an empty cmd window pointing to "C:\Anaconda3\Scripts\spyder.exe" also open.

This was not the case for my previous versions of Spyder.

What steps will reproduce the problem?

The steps are described above.

What is the expected output? What do you see instead?

If a Spyder instance is already open, then double-clicking other .py files does not open new Spyder instances. Instead, the .py files should be opened in the current Spyder instance.

Paste Traceback/Error Below (if applicable)

N/A

Package Versions

• Spyder: 3.2.8
• Python: 3.6.3
• Qt: 5.6.2
• PyQt: 5.6.0
• Operating System: Windows 10

Dependencies

N/A

[ccordoba12]

This is supposed to be fixed. @dalthviz, could you take a look at this when you have some time? Thanks!

[jakubnyc]

I can confirm that I have repeatedly had troubles with new instances appearing with a number of the recent 3.2* versions. I regularly upgrade Spyder. I update via Anaconda.
Current version with the problem is 3.2.8
Python 3.6.5 |Anaconda, Inc.| (default, Mar 29 2018, 13:32:41) [MSC v.1900 64 bit (AMD64)]
Windows 10
Ipython 6.3.0

I did not have the problem with 3.2.6. I just downgraded to that version and the new instance problem is gone via conda install spyder=3.2.6.

The downgrade to 3.2.7 did not work to solve things. Hence you may want to look at the diff between 3.2.6 and later versions.

[ccordoba12]

See https://stackoverflow.com/q/33817046/438386 for ways people is using this feature on Windows.

[ccordoba12]

This is another related question: https://stackoverflow.com/q/50162165/438386

[dalthviz]

@jsh9 @jakubnyc could you help us testing the changes in #7260 to see if that solves the problem for you?

[jakubnyc]

@dalthviz If there is a new version of Spyder, I will try it out and see if the problem has been solved. The latest version I see is 3.2.8 which was not working. I will download 3.2.9 when it is ready and give feedback.

[jsh9]

@dalthviz @ccordoba12
I upgraded to Spyder 3.3.0. On my Windows 10, here is what I observed:

(1) When no Spyder instance is opened, double-clicking a Python script opens up Spyder, but the cmd window stays open (I don't remember what the behavior of Spyder was
(2) When there is a Spyder instance opened, double-clicking a Python script opens up that script inside Spyder, and the cmd window automatically closes

Maybe (1) is still a bug? But the original problem associated with this issue (i.e., (2)) is solved.

[ccordoba12]

@jsh9, then please open a new issue about (1).