How to run application in cygwin without blocking the shell

I would like to open applications in cygwin, e.g. notepad etc, without the shell blocking. Is there a way of doing this?

For example, typing in notepad myfile.txt will open notepad, and the cygw开发者_JS百科in shell will be unavailable until notepad is closed. I'd like cygwin to remain responsive whilst notepad is open.

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If you are using some UNIX shell such as sh, then

notepad &

should work.

Remember: If you're using another shell, then other rules apply. cmd won't block for GUI applications, unless start /wait is used. But on UNIX-likes there is no distinction between console programs and GUI programs. They all run interactively on the console unless detached by starting them with & after the command.