A batch file is a collection of MS-DOS and Windows command line commands used on a computer. If you are familiar with the command line, you can use your prior knowledge to help you create a batch file. If you're new to the command line or need a refresher, see: How to use the Windows command line (DOS).

The Batch file below is an example that start another program (cmd.exe in this case), send a command to it and then send an Up Arrow key, that cause to recover the last executed command. The Batch file is simple enough to be understand with no problems, so you may modify it to fit your needs. A batch file is a script file in DOS, OS/2 and Microsoft Windows.It consists of a series of commands to be executed by the command-line interpreter, stored in a plain text file. A batch file may contain any command the interpreter accepts interactively and use constructs that enable conditional branching and looping within the batch file, such as IF, FOR, and GOTO labels.

1. Jul 05, 2017 You now have a batch file with the.bat file extension. Double-click it to run it. This particular batch file sets ECHO off (which cleans up the output by hiding the commands from being printed at the prompt, prints the text “Hello World” to the screen, and then waits for you to press a key before it ends.
2. “The bat file is not necessary.” That’s nonsensical. This article is about how to pin a batch file. “You can write the command directly in the “Type the location of the file” box of the shortcut creation wizard.” What command? Again, this article is about how to pin a.batch file.

Batch commands

Below is a listing of commands used in a batch file with additional information about each of the commands.

Like all commands, all batch file commands are not case sensitive. However, we listed the batch file commands in all caps to help with identification.

@

The at symbol does not echo back text after the symbol. The @ is most often used as @ECHO OFF to only show the output of the command.

%1

The percent followed by a numeric value, beginning with one, allows you to add matched variables to a batch file. The line below is an example of what can be used in a batch file.

With a batch file containing the above line if you type myname (name of bat file) and then your name, as shown below.

It would output 'Hello Bob' because 'Bob' is the first matched text.

You can keep going to %2, %3, etc. For example, you could use %2 for a middle name and %3 as the last name.

BAT File (What It Is And How To Open One)

::

Two colons in front of a line remarks that line in the batch file and is never displayed when the batch file is run. Unlike REM, this line is not shown regardless if ECHO off is in the batch file.

:LABEL

By adding a colon in front of a word, such as LABEL, you create a category, more commonly known as a label. A label allows you to skip to certain sections of a batch file such as the end of the batch file. Also see GOTO.

CALL

A call is used to run another batch file within a batch file. When the batch file that is called is completed, the remainder of the original batch file is completed. If the batch file does not exist, you get an error.

CHOICE and SET

The choice and set commands allow you to have options in your batch file. Further information about each of these commands is on the choice and set pages.

CLS

Like the DOS command, cls would clear your screen. Run the cls command at the top of your batch file to clear any previous commands or output. This action makes the batch file output easier to find and read.

ECHO

Echo a message in the batch file. Such as ECHO Hello World prints Hello World on the screen when executed.

Without @ECHO OFF at the beginning of the batch file you'll also get 'ECHO Hello World' and 'Hello World.'

If you'd like to create a blank line, type ECHO. adding the period at the end creates an empty line.

EXIT

Exits out of the DOS window if the batch file is running from Windows. See the exit command page for further information on this command.

GOTO

Jumps to a label or section of a batch file. The goto function makes it easier to jump back to the start of a batch file if a condition is met, or an error occurs.

IF

Used to check for a certain condition if the condition exists. If that condition exists, it performs that function. See the if command for further information on this command.

PAUSE

Prompt the user to press any key to continue.

REM

Make A Batch File An Exe

One of two ways of adding remarks into the batch file without displaying or executing that line when the batch file is run.

SHIFT

The shift command changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program. See the shift page for further information on this command.

START

Used to open Windows programs. For example, START C:WINDOWCALC would run the Windows Calculator. The start command can also be used to start any file Windows recognizes. For example, you could start a movie or audio file in a batch file to start your default player for that file.

Batch File Add To Variable

In Windows 3.x, you need to utilize the WIN command. For example, WIN C:WindowsCALC.EXE would run Windows and then Calculator after Windows has finished loading.

Cached

OTHER COMMANDS

Batch File

See our command line overview and our MS-DOS help page for a full listing of MS-DOS and Windows command line commands.

Additional information

• See our batch file definition for related links and information.