diff --git a/grum/mainwin.py b/grum/mainwin.py
index b596f7d..b5434b3 100644
--- a/grum/mainwin.py
+++ b/grum/mainwin.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from .dictlist import DictListWidget
 from .mdi import MDIArea, MDISubPlot
 from .rpc import RPCServerThread
 from .plotdesc import PlotDescription
+from .menus import BarMenu
 from .exampledata import exampledata
 
 
@@ -24,6 +25,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         lst.itemDoubleClicked.connect(self.on_select_list_item)
 
         bar = self.menuBar()
+
+        self.menu_settings = menu = BarMenu(bar, "&Settings")
+        menu.addCheckbox("Open new plots", state=True)
+
         self.mdi = mdi = MDIArea(bar)
 
         splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Horizontal)
@@ -44,8 +49,9 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
     def new_plot(self, name, cfg):
         desc = PlotDescription(**cfg)
         self.lst.set(name, desc)
-        if not self.mdi.findSubWindow(name):
-            self.sig_make_new_plot.emit(name, desc)
+        if self.menu_settings.checkboxes["Open new plots"].isChecked():
+            if not self.mdi.findSubWindow(name):
+                self.sig_make_new_plot.emit(name, desc)
 
 
     def append_data(self, name, point):
@@ -55,6 +61,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         sub = self.mdi.findSubWindow(name)
         if sub:
             sub.plot.setData(*desc.data)
+            item.set_alarm(False)
         else:
             item.set_alarm(True)