How to Hide the Console Window When Running Python Scripts with Popen

Discover a simple method to effectively hide console windows when running Python scripts through Popen in exe mode.
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How to Hide the Console Window When Running Python Scripts with Popen

When developing Python applications, especially those that need to run in a graphical user interface (GUI) environment, there are times when you may want to run subprocesses without displaying a console window. This can enhance user experience by eliminating unnecessary distractions and keeping the interface clean.

The Problem

You may find yourself in a situation where your Python script works perfectly in its script form but shows an unwanted console window when you compile it to an executable file using PyInstaller. For instance, if you use the command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You might expect no console to appear when running the exe, yet you still see an empty console window flashing on the screen as the program executes a subprocess with Popen. This can be frustrating, particularly when you want your application to provide a seamless user experience.

In your specific case, while trying to run PowerShell commands via Python’s subprocess module, you faced this issue. Even attempts to set window styles to hidden did not yield the desired outcome. So what should you do to effectively hide the console?

The Solution: Using Creation Flags

Thanks to contributions from the community, particularly insights from a user named Glycerine, a straightforward solution has been identified. Instead of modifying the startup info, you can directly utilize the creationflags parameter within the subprocess.Popen() function.

Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding the Code: You were using the subprocess.Popen call like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command does not specify any options to suppress the console window.

Implementing the Fix: To hide the console window, you need to adjust your Popen call to include the creationflags parameter set to subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW. Here’s how your code should look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code:

subprocess.Popen: This function is used to spawn new processes, connect to their input/output/error pipes, and obtain their return codes.

creationflags: This parameter allows you to specify flags that modify the process creation. By using subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW, you ensure that the console window does not appear.

Benefits of This Approach

Clean User Interface: By hiding the console, users can focus on the GUI without distractions.

Simplicity: This solution is straightforward and does not require extensive changes to your existing code.

Compatibility: Works seamlessly with the existing PyInstaller flags you are using to compile your application.

Conclusion

Hiding the console when running Python scripts transformed into executables is crucial for creating a polished user experience. By utilizing the creationflags in subprocess.Popen, you can effectively suppress any unwanted console windows that may appear. Implement the provided solution in your code, and enjoy a cleaner, more user-friendly application.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or further insights on improving your Python applications!

[VascoDias-el]

I've been looking for a solution for this issue for days, I've tried several solutions and nothing worked. Even AI wasnt able to hide the fucking wsl console - you helped me a lot! Thank you boss