diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index 13c09b2..be3a63c 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@
 #include <openssl/err.h>
 #endif
 
+#define OVPN_EXITCODE_ERROR      1
+#define OVPN_EXITCODE_TIMEOUT    2
+#define OVPN_EXITCODE_NOTREADY   3
+
 /*  Declare Windows procedure  */
 LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProcedure (HWND, UINT, WPARAM, LPARAM);
 static void ShowSettingsDialog();
@@ -75,21 +79,10 @@ static int
 VerifyAutoConnections()
 {
     int i;
-    BOOL match;
 
     for (i = 0; i < MAX_CONFIGS && o.auto_connect[i] != 0; i++)
     {
-        int j;
-        match = FALSE;
-        for (j = 0; j < MAX_CONFIGS; j++)
-        {
-            if (_tcsicmp(o.conn[j].config_file, o.auto_connect[i]) == 0)
-            {
-                match = TRUE;
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-        if (match == FALSE)
+        if (GetConnByName(o.auto_connect[i]) == NULL)
         {
             /* autostart config not found */
             ShowLocalizedMsg(IDS_ERR_AUTOSTART_CONF, o.auto_connect[i]);
@@ -100,6 +93,49 @@ VerifyAutoConnections()
     return TRUE;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Send a copydata message corresponding to any --command action option specified
+ * to the running instance and return success or error.
+ */
+static int
+NotifyRunningInstance()
+{
+    /* Check if a previous instance has a window initialized
+     * Even if we are not the first instance this may return null
+     * if the previous instance has not fully started up
+     */
+    HANDLE hwnd_master = FindWindow (szClassName, NULL);
+    int exit_code = 0;
+    if (hwnd_master)
+    {
+        /* GUI up and running -- send a message if any action is pecified,
+           else show the balloon */
+        COPYDATASTRUCT config_data = {0};
+        int timeout = 30*1000;             /* 30 seconds */
+        if (!o.action)
+        {
+            o.action = WM_OVPN_NOTIFY;
+            o.action_arg = LoadLocalizedString(IDS_NFO_CLICK_HERE_TO_START);
+        }
+        config_data.dwData = o.action;
+        if (o.action_arg)
+        {
+            config_data.cbData = (wcslen(o.action_arg)+1)*sizeof(o.action_arg[0]);
+            config_data.lpData = (void *) o.action_arg;
+        }
+        PrintDebug(L"Instance 2: called with action %d : %s", o.action, o.action_arg);
+        if (!SendMessageTimeout (hwnd_master, WM_COPYDATA, 0,
+                                 (LPARAM) &config_data, 0, timeout, NULL))
+            exit_code = OVPN_EXITCODE_TIMEOUT;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        PrintDebug(L"Instance 2: Previous instance not yet ready to accept comamnds");
+        exit_code = OVPN_EXITCODE_NOTREADY;
+    }
+    PrintDebug(L"Instance 2: Returning exit code %d", exit_code);
+    return exit_code;
+}
 
 int WINAPI _tWinMain (HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
                     UNUSED HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
@@ -109,6 +145,16 @@ int WINAPI _tWinMain (HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
   MSG messages;            /* Here messages to the application are saved */
   WNDCLASSEX wincl;        /* Data structure for the windowclass */
   DWORD shell32_version;
+  BOOL first_instance = TRUE;
+  /* a session local semaphore to detect second instance */
+  HANDLE session_semaphore = InitSemaphore(L"Local\\"PACKAGE_NAME);
+
+  /* try to lock the semaphore, else we are not the first instance */
+  if (session_semaphore &&
+      WaitForSingleObject(session_semaphore, 0) != WAIT_OBJECT_0)
+  {
+      first_instance = FALSE;
+  }
 
   /* Initialize handlers for manangement interface notifications */
   mgmt_rtmsg_handler handler[] = {
@@ -166,16 +212,8 @@ int WINAPI _tWinMain (HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
   PrintDebug(_T("Shell32.dll version: 0x%lx"), shell32_version);
 #endif
 
-
-  /* Check if a previous instance is already running. */
-  if ((FindWindow (szClassName, NULL)) != NULL)
-    {
-        /* GUI already running */
-        ShowLocalizedMsg(IDS_ERR_GUI_ALREADY_RUNNING);
-        exit(1);
-    }
-
-  UpdateRegistry(); /* Checks version change and update keys/values */
+  if (first_instance)
+      UpdateRegistry(); /* Checks version change and update keys/values */
 
   GetRegistryKeys();
   /* Parse command-line options */
@@ -183,6 +221,21 @@ int WINAPI _tWinMain (HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
 
   EnsureDirExists(o.config_dir);
 
+  if (!first_instance)
+  {
+      int res = NotifyRunningInstance();
+      exit(res);
+  }
+  else if (o.action == WM_OVPN_START)
+  {
+      PrintDebug(L"Instance 1: Called with --command connect xxx. Treating it as --connect xxx");
+  }
+  else if (o.action)
+  {
+      PrintDebug(L"Instance 1: Called with --command when no previous instance available");
+      exit(OVPN_EXITCODE_ERROR);
+  }
+
   if (!CheckVersion()) {
     exit(1);
   }
@@ -200,6 +253,7 @@ int WINAPI _tWinMain (HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
   if (!VerifyAutoConnections()) {
     exit(1);
   }
+
   GetProxyRegistrySettings();
 
 #ifndef DISABLE_CHANGE_PASSWORD
@@ -350,6 +404,68 @@ dpi_initialize(void)
     dpi_setscale(dpix);
 }
 
+static int
+HandleCopyDataMessage(const COPYDATASTRUCT *copy_data)
+{
+    WCHAR *str = NULL;
+    connection_t *c = NULL;
+    PrintDebug (L"WM_COPYDATA message received. (dwData: %lu, cbData: %lu, lpData: %s)",
+                copy_data->dwData, copy_data->cbData, copy_data->lpData);
+    if (copy_data->cbData >= sizeof(WCHAR) && copy_data->lpData)
+    {
+        str = (WCHAR*) copy_data->lpData;
+        str[copy_data->cbData/sizeof(WCHAR)-1] = L'\0'; /* in case not nul-terminated */
+        c = GetConnByName(str);
+    }
+    if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_START && c)
+    {
+        if (!o.silent_connection)
+            ForceForegroundWindow(o.hWnd);
+        StartOpenVPN(c);
+    }
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_STOP && c)
+        StopOpenVPN(c);
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_RESTART && c)
+    {
+        if (!o.silent_connection)
+            ForceForegroundWindow(o.hWnd);
+        RestartOpenVPN(c);
+    }
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_SHOWSTATUS && c->hwndStatus && c)
+    {
+        ForceForegroundWindow(o.hWnd);
+        ShowWindow(c->hwndStatus, SW_SHOW);
+    }
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_STOPALL)
+        StopAllOpenVPN();
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_SILENT && str)
+    {
+        if (_wtoi(str) == 0)
+            o.silent_connection = 0;
+        else
+            o.silent_connection = 1;
+    }
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_EXIT)
+    {
+        CloseApplication(o.hWnd);
+    }
+    /* Not yet implemented
+    else if(copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_IMPORT)
+    {
+    }
+    */
+    else if (copy_data->dwData == WM_OVPN_NOTIFY)
+    {
+        ShowTrayBalloon(L"", copy_data->lpData);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        PrintDebug (L"WM_COPYDATA message ignored. (dwData: %lu, cbData: %lu)",
+                    copy_data->dwData, copy_data->cbData);
+    }
+    return TRUE; /* indicate we handled the message */
+}
+
 /*  This function is called by the Windows function DispatchMessage()  */
 LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProcedure (HWND hwnd, UINT message, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 {
@@ -373,6 +489,11 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProcedure (HWND hwnd, UINT message, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM
         SendMessage(hwnd, WM_SETICON, (WPARAM) (ICON_BIG), (LPARAM) (hIcon));
       }
 
+      /* Enable next line to accept WM_COPYDATA messages from lower level processes */
+#if 0
+      ChangeWindowMessageFilterEx(hwnd, WM_COPYDATA, MSGFLT_ALLOW, NULL);
+#endif
+
       CreatePopupMenus();	/* Create popup menus */  
       ShowTrayIcon();
       if (o.service_only)
@@ -387,6 +508,10 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProcedure (HWND hwnd, UINT message, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM
       OnNotifyTray(lParam); 	// Manages message from tray
       break;
 
+    case WM_COPYDATA:   // custom messages with data from other processes
+      HandleCopyDataMessage((COPYDATASTRUCT*) lParam);
+      return TRUE; /* lets the sender free copy_data */
+
     case WM_COMMAND:
       if ( (LOWORD(wParam) >= IDM_CONNECTMENU) && (LOWORD(wParam) < IDM_CONNECTMENU + MAX_CONFIGS) ) {
         StartOpenVPN(&o.conn[LOWORD(wParam) - IDM_CONNECTMENU]);
@@ -394,6 +519,9 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProcedure (HWND hwnd, UINT message, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM
       if ( (LOWORD(wParam) >= IDM_DISCONNECTMENU) && (LOWORD(wParam) < IDM_DISCONNECTMENU + MAX_CONFIGS) ) {
         StopOpenVPN(&o.conn[LOWORD(wParam) - IDM_DISCONNECTMENU]);
       }
+      if ( (LOWORD(wParam) >= IDM_RECONNECTMENU) && (LOWORD(wParam) < IDM_RECONNECTMENU + MAX_CONFIGS) ) {
+        RestartOpenVPN(&o.conn[LOWORD(wParam) - IDM_RECONNECTMENU]);
+      }
       if ( (LOWORD(wParam) >= IDM_STATUSMENU) && (LOWORD(wParam) < IDM_STATUSMENU + MAX_CONFIGS) ) {
         ShowWindow(o.conn[LOWORD(wParam) - IDM_STATUSMENU].hwndStatus, SW_SHOW);
       }
diff --git a/main.h b/main.h
index 1b2f61e..ba17e45 100644
--- a/main.h
+++ b/main.h
@@ -45,6 +45,21 @@
 /* Authorized group who can use any options and config locations */
 #define OVPN_ADMIN_GROUP TEXT("OpenVPN Administrators") /* May be reset in registry */
 
+/* Application defined message IDs */
+#define WM_NOTIFYICONTRAY      (WM_APP + 1)
+#define WM_MANAGEMENT          (WM_APP + 2)
+
+#define WM_OVPN_STOP           (WM_APP + 10)
+#define WM_OVPN_SUSPEND        (WM_APP + 11)
+#define WM_OVPN_RESTART        (WM_APP + 12)
+#define WM_OVPN_START          (WM_APP + 13)
+#define WM_OVPN_STOPALL        (WM_APP + 14)
+#define WM_OVPN_SHOWSTATUS     (WM_APP + 15)
+#define WM_OVPN_NOTIFY         (WM_APP + 16)
+#define WM_OVPN_EXIT           (WM_APP + 17)
+#define WM_OVPN_SILENT         (WM_APP + 18)
+#define WM_OVPN_IMPORT         (WM_APP + 20)
+
 /* bool definitions */
 #define bool int
 #define true 1
diff --git a/manage.h b/manage.h
index 1b89f41..94632bd 100644
--- a/manage.h
+++ b/manage.h
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@
 
 #include <winsock2.h>
 
-#define WM_MANAGEMENT (WM_APP + 2)
-
 typedef enum {
     ready,
     stop,
diff --git a/misc.c b/misc.c
index fb1e5d9..ec36fad 100644
--- a/misc.c
+++ b/misc.c
@@ -396,10 +396,10 @@ BOOL IsUserAdmin(VOID)
 }
 
 HANDLE
-InitSemaphore (void)
+InitSemaphore (WCHAR *name)
 {
     HANDLE semaphore = NULL;
-    semaphore = CreateSemaphore (NULL, 1, 1, NULL);
+    semaphore = CreateSemaphore (NULL, 1, 1, name);
     if (!semaphore)
     {
         MessageBoxW (NULL, L"Error creating semaphore", TEXT(PACKAGE_NAME), MB_OK);
diff --git a/misc.h b/misc.h
index f7f43cc..0480eeb 100644
--- a/misc.h
+++ b/misc.h
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ BOOL wcsbegins(LPCWSTR, LPCWSTR);
 BOOL ForceForegroundWindow(HWND);
 
 BOOL IsUserAdmin(VOID);
-HANDLE InitSemaphore (void);
+HANDLE InitSemaphore (WCHAR *);
 BOOL CheckFileAccess (const TCHAR *path, int access);
 
 BOOL Base64Encode(const char *input, int input_len, char **output);
diff --git a/openvpn-gui-res.h b/openvpn-gui-res.h
index a46b263..cce2457 100644
--- a/openvpn-gui-res.h
+++ b/openvpn-gui-res.h
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@
 #define IDS_MENU_ASK_STOP_SERVICE       1022
 #define IDS_MENU_IMPORT                 1023
 #define IDS_MENU_CLEARPASS              1024
+#define IDS_MENU_RECONNECT              1025
 
 /* LogViewer Dialog */
 #define IDS_ERR_START_LOG_VIEWER        1101
@@ -215,6 +216,7 @@
 #define IDS_NFO_ACTIVE_CONN_EXIT        1307
 #define IDS_NFO_SERVICE_ACTIVE_EXIT     1308
 #define IDS_ERR_CREATE_PATH             1309
+#define IDS_NFO_CLICK_HERE_TO_START     1310
 
 /* Program Options Related */
 #define IDS_NFO_USAGE                   1401
diff --git a/openvpn.c b/openvpn.c
index 030c4c9..e6155fe 100644
--- a/openvpn.c
+++ b/openvpn.c
@@ -50,9 +50,6 @@
 #include "access.h"
 #include "save_pass.h"
 
-#define WM_OVPN_STOP    (WM_APP + 10)
-#define WM_OVPN_SUSPEND (WM_APP + 11)
-
 extern options_t o;
 
 static BOOL
@@ -1565,7 +1562,7 @@ StatusDialogFunc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
         case ID_RESTART:
             c->state = reconnecting;
             SetFocus(GetDlgItem(c->hwndStatus, ID_EDT_LOG));
-            ManagementCommand(c, "signal SIGHUP", NULL, regular);
+            RestartOpenVPN(c);
             return TRUE;
         }
         break;
@@ -1597,6 +1594,9 @@ StatusDialogFunc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 
     case WM_OVPN_STOP:
         c = (connection_t *) GetProp(hwndDlg, cfgProp);
+        /* external messages can trigger when we are not ready -- check the state */
+        if (!IsWindowEnabled(GetDlgItem(c->hwndStatus, ID_DISCONNECT)))
+            break;
         c->state = disconnecting;
         RunDisconnectScript(c, false);
         EnableWindow(GetDlgItem(c->hwndStatus, ID_DISCONNECT), FALSE);
@@ -1604,7 +1604,7 @@ StatusDialogFunc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
         SetMenuStatus(c, disconnecting);
         SetDlgItemText(c->hwndStatus, ID_TXT_STATUS, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_NFO_STATE_WAIT_TERM));
         SetEvent(c->exit_event);
-        SetTimer(hwndDlg, IDT_STOP_TIMER, 3000, NULL);
+        SetTimer(hwndDlg, IDT_STOP_TIMER, 15000, NULL);
         break;
 
     case WM_OVPN_SUSPEND:
@@ -1615,7 +1615,7 @@ StatusDialogFunc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
         SetMenuStatus(c, disconnecting);
         SetDlgItemText(c->hwndStatus, ID_TXT_STATUS, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_NFO_STATE_WAIT_TERM));
         SetEvent(c->exit_event);
-        SetTimer(hwndDlg, IDT_STOP_TIMER, 3000, NULL);
+        SetTimer(hwndDlg, IDT_STOP_TIMER, 15000, NULL);
         break;
 
     case WM_TIMER:
@@ -1628,6 +1628,18 @@ StatusDialogFunc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
             KillTimer (hwndDlg, IDT_STOP_TIMER);
         }
         break;
+
+    case WM_OVPN_RESTART:
+        c = (connection_t *) GetProp(hwndDlg, cfgProp);
+        /* external messages can trigger when we are not ready -- check the state */
+        if (IsWindowEnabled(GetDlgItem(c->hwndStatus, ID_RESTART)))
+            ManagementCommand(c, "signal SIGHUP", NULL, regular);
+        if (!o.silent_connection)
+        {
+            SetForegroundWindow(c->hwndStatus);
+            ShowWindow(c->hwndStatus, SW_SHOW);
+        }
+        break;
     }
     return FALSE;
 }
@@ -1749,12 +1761,19 @@ StartOpenVPN(connection_t *c)
 
     if (c->hwndStatus)
     {
-        PrintDebug(L"Connection request when previous status window is still open -- ignored");
-        WriteStatusLog(c, L"OpenVPN GUI> ",
-                       L"Complete the pending dialog before starting a new connection", false);
-        SetForegroundWindow(c->hwndStatus);
+        PrintDebug(L"Connection request when already started -- ignored");
+        /* the tread can hang around after disconnect if user has not dismissed any popups */
+        if (c->state == disconnected)
+            WriteStatusLog(c, L"OpenVPN GUI> ",
+                       L"Complete any pending dialog before starting a new connection", false);
+        if (!o.silent_connection)
+        {
+           SetForegroundWindow(c->hwndStatus);
+           ShowWindow(c->hwndStatus, SW_SHOW);
+        }
         return FALSE;
     }
+    PrintDebug(L"Starting openvpn on config %s", c->config_name);
 
     RunPreconnectScript(c);
 
@@ -1955,6 +1974,14 @@ SuspendOpenVPN(int config)
     PostMessage(o.conn[config].hwndStatus, WM_OVPN_SUSPEND, 0, 0);
 }
 
+void
+RestartOpenVPN(connection_t *c)
+{
+    if (c->hwndStatus)
+        PostMessage(c->hwndStatus, WM_OVPN_RESTART, 0, 0);
+    else /* Not started: treat this as a request to connect */
+        StartOpenVPN(c);
+}
 
 void
 SetStatusWinIcon(HWND hwndDlg, int iconId)
diff --git a/openvpn.h b/openvpn.h
index 2bfa1d2..f1d6860 100644
--- a/openvpn.h
+++ b/openvpn.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 BOOL StartOpenVPN(connection_t *);
 void StopOpenVPN(connection_t *);
 void SuspendOpenVPN(int config);
+void RestartOpenVPN(connection_t *);
 BOOL CheckVersion();
 void SetStatusWinIcon(HWND hwndDlg, int IconID);
 
diff --git a/openvpn_config.c b/openvpn_config.c
index e1a02dc..5580adb 100644
--- a/openvpn_config.c
+++ b/openvpn_config.c
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ AddConfigFileToList(int config, const TCHAR *filename, const TCHAR *config_dir)
     /* Check if connection should be autostarted */
     for (i = 0; i < MAX_CONFIGS && o.auto_connect[i]; ++i)
     {
-        if (_tcsicmp(c->config_file, o.auto_connect[i]) == 0)
+        if (_tcsicmp(c->config_file, o.auto_connect[i]) == 0
+            || _tcsicmp(c->config_name, o.auto_connect[i]) == 0)
         {
             c->auto_connect = true;
             break;
diff --git a/options.c b/options.c
index cf3cf15..bfbd371 100644
--- a/options.c
+++ b/options.c
@@ -101,6 +101,14 @@ add_option(options_t *options, int i, TCHAR **p)
             exit(1);
         }
         options->auto_connect[auto_connect_nr++] = p[1];
+        /* Treat the first connect option to also mean --command connect profile.
+         * This gets used if we are not the first instance.
+         */
+        if (auto_connect_nr == 1)
+        {
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_START;
+            options->action_arg = p[1];
+        }
     }
     else if (streq(p[0], _T("exe_path")) && p[1])
     {
@@ -203,6 +211,56 @@ add_option(options_t *options, int i, TCHAR **p)
         ++i;
         options->preconnectscript_timeout = _ttoi(p[1]);
     }
+    else if (streq(p[0], _T("command")) && p[1])
+    {
+        ++i;
+        /* command to be sent to a running instance */
+        if (streq(p[1], _T("connect")) && p[2])
+        {
+            /* Treat this as "--connect profile" in case this is the first instance */
+            add_option(options, i, &p[1]);
+            ++i;
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_START;
+            options->action_arg = p[2];
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("disconnect")) && p[2])
+        {
+            ++i;
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_STOP;
+            options->action_arg = p[2];
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("reconnect")) && p[2])
+        {
+            ++i;
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_RESTART;
+            options->action_arg = p[2];
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("status")) && p[2])
+        {
+            ++i;
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_SHOWSTATUS;
+            options->action_arg = p[2];
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("silent_connection")))
+        {
+            ++i;
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_SILENT;
+            options->action_arg = p[2] ? p[2] : _T("1");
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("disconnect_all")))
+        {
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_STOPALL;
+        }
+        else if (streq(p[1], _T("exit")))
+        {
+            options->action = WM_OVPN_EXIT;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            ShowLocalizedMsg(IDS_ERR_BAD_OPTION, p[0]);
+            exit(1);
+        }
+    }
     else
     {
         /* Unrecognized option or missing parameter */
@@ -252,7 +310,7 @@ void
 InitOptions(options_t *opt)
 {
     CLEAR(*opt);
-    opt->netcmd_semaphore = InitSemaphore ();
+    opt->netcmd_semaphore = InitSemaphore (NULL);
     opt->version = MakeVersion (PACKAGE_VERSION_RESOURCE);
     opt->clr_warning = RGB(0xff, 0, 0);
     opt->clr_error = RGB(0xff, 0, 0);
@@ -354,6 +412,18 @@ GetConnByManagement(SOCKET sk)
     return NULL;
 }
 
+connection_t*
+GetConnByName(const WCHAR *name)
+{
+    for (int i = 0; i < o.num_configs; ++i)
+    {
+        if (wcsicmp (o.conn[i].config_file, name) == 0
+            || wcsicmp(o.conn[i].config_name, name) == 0)
+            return &o.conn[i];
+    }
+    return NULL;
+}
+
 /* callback to set the initial value of folder browse selection */
 static int CALLBACK
 BrowseCallback (HWND h, UINT msg, UNUSED LPARAM l, LPARAM data)
diff --git a/options.h b/options.h
index 5cae976..85468be 100644
--- a/options.h
+++ b/options.h
@@ -180,12 +180,15 @@ typedef struct {
     unsigned int dpi_scale;
     COLORREF clr_warning;
     COLORREF clr_error;
+    int action;            /* action to send to a running instance */
+    TCHAR *action_arg;
 } options_t;
 
 void InitOptions(options_t *);
 void ProcessCommandLine(options_t *, TCHAR *);
 int CountConnState(conn_state_t);
 connection_t* GetConnByManagement(SOCKET);
+connection_t* GetConnByName(const WCHAR *config_name);
 INT_PTR CALLBACK ScriptSettingsDlgProc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam);
 INT_PTR CALLBACK ConnectionSettingsDlgProc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam);
 INT_PTR CALLBACK AdvancedSettingsDlgProc(HWND hwndDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam);
diff --git a/res/openvpn-gui-res-en.rc b/res/openvpn-gui-res-en.rc
index 7f521e4..a528cd2 100644
--- a/res/openvpn-gui-res-en.rc
+++ b/res/openvpn-gui-res-en.rc
@@ -247,6 +247,7 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_MENU_CLOSE "Exit"
     IDS_MENU_CONNECT "Connect"
     IDS_MENU_DISCONNECT "Disconnect"
+    IDS_MENU_RECONNECT "Reconnect"
     IDS_MENU_STATUS "Show Status"
     IDS_MENU_VIEWLOG "View Log"
     IDS_MENU_EDITCONFIG "Edit Config"
@@ -342,6 +343,16 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_NFO_USAGE "--help\t\t\t: Show this message.\n" \
                   "--connect cnn \t\t: Connect to ""cnn"" at startup. (extension must be included)\n" \
                   "\t\t\t   Example: openvpn-gui --connect office.ovpn\n" \
+                  "--command cmd [args]\t: Send a command to a running instance of the GUI\n" \
+                  "Supported commands:\n"\
+                  "    connect cnn            \t: connect the config named ""cnn""\n"\
+                  "    disconnect cnn         \t: disconnect the config named ""cnn""\n"\
+                  "    reconnect cnn          \t: reconnect the config named ""cnn""\n"\
+                  "    disconnect_all         \t: disconnect all connected configs\n"\
+                  "    exit                 \t\t: terminate the running GUI instance (may ask for confirmation)\n"\
+                  "    status cnn           \t\t: show the status window of config ""cnn"" if connected\n"\
+                  "    silent_connection [0|1]\t: set the silent_connection flag on (1) or off (0)\n"\
+		  "\t\t\tExample: openvpn-gui.exe --command disconnect myconfig\n"\
                   "\n" \
                   "Options to override registry settings:\n" \
                   "--exe_path\t\t: Path to openvpn.exe.\n" \
@@ -461,4 +472,6 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD_INPUT "Invalid character in password"
     IDS_ERR_INVALID_USERNAME_INPUT "Invalid character in username"
     IDS_NFO_AUTO_CONNECT    "Connecting automatically in %u seconds..."
+    IDS_NFO_CLICK_HERE_TO_START "OpenVPN GUI is already running. Right click on the tray icon to start."
+
 END
diff --git a/tray.c b/tray.c
index ffbf3f3..7227e5d 100644
--- a/tray.c
+++ b/tray.c
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ CreatePopupMenus()
         if (o.service_only == 0) {
             AppendMenu(hMenu, MF_STRING, IDM_CONNECTMENU, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_CONNECT));
             AppendMenu(hMenu, MF_STRING, IDM_DISCONNECTMENU, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_DISCONNECT));
+            AppendMenu(hMenu, MF_STRING, IDM_RECONNECTMENU, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_RECONNECT));
             AppendMenu(hMenu, MF_STRING, IDM_STATUSMENU, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_STATUS));
             AppendMenu(hMenu, MF_SEPARATOR, 0, 0);
         }
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ CreatePopupMenus()
             if (o.service_only == 0) {
                 AppendMenu(hMenuConn[i], MF_STRING, IDM_CONNECTMENU + i, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_CONNECT));
                 AppendMenu(hMenuConn[i], MF_STRING, IDM_DISCONNECTMENU + i, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_DISCONNECT));
+                AppendMenu(hMenuConn[i], MF_STRING, IDM_RECONNECTMENU + i, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_RECONNECT));
                 AppendMenu(hMenuConn[i], MF_STRING, IDM_STATUSMENU + i, LoadLocalizedString(IDS_MENU_STATUS));
                 AppendMenu(hMenuConn[i], MF_SEPARATOR, 0, 0);
             }
@@ -349,18 +351,21 @@ SetMenuStatus(connection_t *c, conn_state_t state)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_CONNECTMENU, MF_ENABLED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_DISCONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_RECONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_STATUSMENU, MF_GRAYED);
         }
         else if (state == connecting || state == resuming || state == connected)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_CONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_DISCONNECTMENU, MF_ENABLED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_RECONNECTMENU, MF_ENABLED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_STATUSMENU, MF_ENABLED);
         }
         else if (state == disconnecting)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_CONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_DISCONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_RECONNECTMENU, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenu, IDM_STATUSMENU, MF_ENABLED);
         }
         if (c->flags & (FLAG_SAVE_AUTH_PASS | FLAG_SAVE_KEY_PASS))
@@ -384,18 +389,21 @@ SetMenuStatus(connection_t *c, conn_state_t state)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_CONNECTMENU + i, MF_ENABLED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_DISCONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_RECONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_STATUSMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
         }
         else if (state == connecting || state == resuming || state == connected)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_CONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_DISCONNECTMENU + i, MF_ENABLED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_RECONNECTMENU + i, MF_ENABLED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_STATUSMENU + i, MF_ENABLED);
         }
         else if (state == disconnecting)
         {
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_CONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_DISCONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
+            EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_RECONNECTMENU + i, MF_GRAYED);
             EnableMenuItem(hMenuConn[i], IDM_STATUSMENU + i, MF_ENABLED);
         }
         if (c->flags & (FLAG_SAVE_AUTH_PASS | FLAG_SAVE_KEY_PASS))
diff --git a/tray.h b/tray.h
index 88ee852..1ce5e07 100644
--- a/tray.h
+++ b/tray.h
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "options.h"
 
-#define WM_NOTIFYICONTRAY (WM_APP + 1)
-
 #define IDM_SERVICE_START       100
 #define IDM_SERVICE_STOP        101
 #define IDM_SERVICE_RESTART     102
@@ -42,6 +40,7 @@
 #define IDM_EDITMENU            (MAX_CONFIGS + IDM_VIEWLOGMENU)
 #define IDM_PASSPHRASEMENU      (MAX_CONFIGS + IDM_EDITMENU)
 #define IDM_CLEARPASSMENU       (MAX_CONFIGS + IDM_PASSPHRASEMENU)
+#define IDM_RECONNECTMENU       (MAX_CONFIGS + IDM_CLEARPASSMENU)
 
 void CreatePopupMenus();
 void OnNotifyTray(LPARAM);