"File > Open Recent" closes all open editor windows before opening the recent file

[peterdarthur]

• VSCode Version: Code 1.16.1 (27492b6, 2017-09-14T16:24:39.530Z)
• OS Version: Darwin x64 17.0.0
• Extensions: none

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Multiple editor windows are supported in VSCode, although it is not as intuitive as Sublime or other editors to achieve this:

• can't drag a tab out into a new window
• can't right-click a file in the explorer to open in a new window
• can't right-click an open tab to open in a new window
• the only way I'm aware of opening a file in a new window is File > New Window, which requires browsing for the file instead of using the other methods listed.

But in this case, it seems like VSCode explicitly wants to prevent multi-window editing. Try this for yourself:

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open file_A.
2. File > Open Recent > /path/to/file_B
3. Notice that file_A is not open anymore.

Is it just me?

[isidorn]

There are already issues open regarding this including
Closing as duplicate #396 and there are also other issues that cover this
fyi @bpasero

[mit-mit]

@isidorn this was closed as a duplicate of #396, but it I read that issue correctly it covers the ability to have multiple project folders in a single editor window.

What I thought the present bug covers is better support for multiple editor windows. cc @peterdarthur to see if he had the same in mind?

Specifically, as the title suggest, there is a very annoying issue that if you are in an editor window with some folder opened, and you then use File > Open Recent to open another folder, then vscode force-closes the current editor window before opening a new one.

[isidorn]

fyi @bpasero

[peterdarthur]

This is very different from #396. I don't need multiple project folders open at once in one window, but what I would like (concerning the original complaint) is either:

A. Warning dialog that prompts me with "Are you sure you would like to open X recent file? Proceeding will close all currently open files and projects" [Cancel] [OK]

or
B. Integrate the recent file(s) into the currently open window.

or
C. (Best case) If recent file belongs to the open project folder, open it in the already-open window. Else if it's from a different project, open it in a new window WITHOUT CLOSING ANY OTHER WINDOWS.

Currently, as mentioned in the original post, opening a recent file force-closes open windows. I haven't found any other threads that mention "Open Recent" in this way. This bug closes files without warning and should be addressed. Is it possible to reopen this issue, @isidorn ?

[mit-mit]

I would also prefer something like option C.

[bpasero]

We never close any window when you pick a file from the File > Open Recent list. You are talking about opening folders right? Anyway, you workaround this by setting "window.openFoldersInNewWindow": "on" or by Alt+clicking the entry in the list to force open in new window.

[Rylon]

@bpasero I'm encountering this issue myself actually, running on macOS - if I choose a project from "Open Recent", the currently open window is replaced entirely with the other project, even if I have "window.openFoldersInNewWindow": "on" in my settings.

Option+Clicking the entry forces it to open in a new windows as expected, but I'd like to make that the default somehow. Do you have any ideas as to what might be causing that?

EDIT: I found the cause - my own stupidity 😆 - I had actually set openFilesInNewWindow, not openFoldersInNewWindow. Thanks!