Check if PID exists on Windows with Python without requiring libraries

Question

Is there a way to check if a PID exists on Windows with Python without requiring libraries? How to?

by libraries you mean any (including python standard library) or just external ones? — Raven, Jul 12 '13 at 17:41
By libraries I mean any relatively big piece of code I would have to include with my project or add to the list of dependencies (to install with `easy_install`, `pip` or whatever) — Alicia, Jul 12 '13 at 17:56
possible duplicate of [Check if pid is not in use in Python](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/568271/check-if-pid-is-not-in-use-in-python) — moooeeeep, Jul 12 '13 at 19:06
I just wanted you to wish for it. Otherwise I had put it as an answer. — moooeeeep, Jul 12 '13 at 19:29
Related: [How to detect if a process is running using Python on Win and MAC](http://stackoverflow.com/q/8135899/95735) — Piotr Dobrogost, Jul 12 '13 at 21:48

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 15 '13 at 00:11

4

This is solved with a little cup of WINAPI.

def pid_running(pid):
    import ctypes
    kernel32 = ctypes.windll.kernel32
    SYNCHRONIZE = 0x100000

    process = kernel32.OpenProcess(SYNCHRONIZE, 0, pid)
    if process != 0:
        kernel32.CloseHandle(process)
        return True
    else:
        return False

answered Jul 15 '13 at 00:11

Alicia

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Could you specify OS version and architecture? – Alicia Mar 19 '14 at 20:51
Windows 8.1, x64. I think you need to check the exit result with a second API call AFTER the open process for this technique to work reliably on all versions of Windows. – Warren P Mar 20 '14 at 03:22
It seems it works as long as it's running with the same user as the checked process. – Alicia Mar 20 '14 at 09:52
Hm. I'm running from an elevated command prompt in win8.1, which then launches python, which then runs a subprocess, yet it doesn't work. – Warren P Mar 20 '14 at 14:21
If you are launching a subprocess, wouldn't it be more reliable to use `.poll()` instead? PIDs can be recycled. – Alicia Mar 20 '14 at 14:28

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 12 '13 at 18:04

1

This works on my system..

>>> import subprocess
>>> out = subprocess.check_output(["tasklist","/fi","PID eq 1234"]).strip()
>>> if out == "INFO: No tasks are running which match the specified criteria.":
...   print "No such PID :D"
...
No such PID :D

answered Jul 12 '13 at 18:04

vidit

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4

But won't work for anyone whose Windows is not set with English locale. – Alicia Jul 12 '13 at 19:15

Check if PID exists on Windows with Python without requiring libraries

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