Basics of Batch Files

Step 5 Creating the Batch File

Ok, so we've covered the basics of the DOS Command window, but how can we create a Batch file?

Well I'm very glad you asked that question, because that is exactly what we're trying to cover!

Batch files are simply Text files with the extension changed to .bat

Really Really easy stuff.

Just open up a text editor, type in your command, and save it as a .bat!

Tada! You've made your first batch file!

So what exactly can you do with this little file?

Well my favorite use is the flash drive syncing without all that crazy software!

Here's the command I use:

XCOPY "E:\" "C:\Documents and Settings\Neo\My Documents\Flash Drive" /S

This will copy all the files out of my flash drive, which is always E:/, including the subfolders, right into My Documents/Flash Drive, thus insuring all of my data is quickly backed up!

Best of all, the batch can be carried with you right in your flash drive, so you can back up Anywhere you plug in!

Pretty dandy eh?

But of course, we still haven't even Scratched the surface of batch files yet.

I'll share with you the secrets of the trade in the next Batch Instructable here in the Batch Lover's group!

~ciao~

Comments

[DNR]

hey wen i open any of my drives a "open with" dialogue box opens...what to do to make it open normally

[Guard13007]

You're opening it with:

start "C:/something/"

yes? Something like that? Use:

start "C:/something/" "explorer.exe"

This makes it open with explorer, which is what I assume you meant.

[j.yeshe108]

I'm not sure really but in the list of programs to open the drives with try to find one that says something like "Open files with windows" that has a picture of a folder next to it

[arnoldtheduck]

hey man, i can't get my shutdown batch file to run. it sorta flashes 4 a sec and then disappears. can u help me plz?

[Ask-Away15]

TRY THIS ONE INSTEAD! SIMPLE!

@echo off
echo (Your Message - Pull Them Into Pressing Another Button)
pause
echo (Your Message - Pull Them Into Pressing Another Button)
pause
echo (Your Message - Pull Them Into Pressing Another Button)
pause
shutdown -s -t 20 -c "Shutting Down"
:Top
echo (Your Message)
echo (Your Message)
echo (Your Message)
echo (Your Message)
echo (Your Message)
goto Top  

 

After This Is All Initiated, The Shutdown Is Unstopable, unless You Type Shutdown -a Into The CMD That Will Stop The Countdown Thus Stopping The Shutdown :)

By The Way You Dont Have TO Have 20 As The Shutdown Timer.. I Could Be 1 Second But Thats No Fun LOL Always Fun To Watch Them Like... WTF DUDE AHH WTF IS GOING ON.. lol

[arnoldtheduck]

hey thanks a lot dude!

[pinkspeedo]

no make sure it says shutdown -s -t (time here ) you dont need to pause if your shutting down..

[munchman]

You could add the line pause to the end of the file.

[knewman]

Can I put more than one command in a batch file? For instance I'm not sure that every time I plug in my flash drive it will be recognized as the E: drive, could I put the same command in the same batch file with a different letter drive? And will the batch file work if it is hidden?

[Neodudeman]

You Can put more than one command in a batch file. Just click on my name, and check out my other Batch instructables. And yes, you can put the same command with a different letter drive. If it's not the correct drive letter, it'll just complain, but it won't kill the batch. And yes, the batch will work if it's hidden

[Ouch]

Yea, you could also write an autorun.ini file so everytime you plug your drive in, it automatically syncs.

[userman]

That's cool! You could also use the /D and /Y switches to xcopy, so it will only copy new files and overwrite those who are older than the flash ones. (don't use /Y if you're not really sure the pen drive has the latest files and/or you don't have a backup)