I have a batch file that I run from a flash drive. This file attempts to
1. Close 2 programs
2. Update data on the computer based on the data on the flash drive
3. Restart the programs
The code in this batch is:
taskkill /IM "MyProgram".exe
taskkill /f /fi "imagename eq MyProgram.exe"
copy e:\File1.xml C:\Folder\SubFolder1\Themes\Data\File1.xml /Y
copy e:\File2.xml C:\Folder\SubFolder1\Themes\Data\File2.xml /Y
copy e:\File3.xml C:\Folder\SubFolder2\Themes\Data\File3.xml /Y
copy e:\File4.xml C:\Folder\SubFolder2\Themes\Data\File4.xml /Y
start /MAX "" "C:\Folder\SubFolder2\MyProgram.exe"
start /MAX "" "C:\Folder\SubFolder1\MyProgram.exe"
The first two steps work fine, with the commands that are on lines 1-6. My issue starts with step 3 and the commands on lines 7 and 8.
Is there something wrong with the batch commands?
EDIT: After digging a little more, I have found that the programs appear to be starting in the background. When looking at task manager, the programs appear in the "Background Processes" section instead of showing in the foreground as expected.
What I believe is happening is your program does not know where the configuration files are located because the working directory is where the batch file started itself. So your program is looking for its files on your usb drive. By using the /D option with the START command it will switch the working directory to whatever path you set it to.
start "" /MAX /D "C:\Folder\SubFolder2\" MyProgram.exe
Related
I'm trying to create a batch file to load multiple Window programs, more specifically, applications that control peripheral flight hardware.
I can't seem to figure out how to open up all applications consecutively. I've tried a number of things including running the executable application:
#echo off
cd "D:\Controls\" & start "D:\HW_Controls\Control1.exe" &
cd "D:\Controls\" & start "D:\HW_Controls\Control2.exe" &
cd "D:\Controls\" & start "D:\HW_Controls\Control3.exe"
That would only run one application at a time, until I exit that application, which is what I don't want. I want them to open consecutively. So I read somewhere on StackOverflow from an old post to try running each application as its own batch file like so:
#echo off
start "D:\Controls1.bat" &
start "D:\Controls2.bat" &
start "D:\Controls3.bat"
In which each batch file within looks similar to this:
cd "D:\Controls\" & start "D:\HW_Controls\Control{1..3}.exe"
I've also tried using chdir:
chdir "D:\Controls\" & start "D:\HW_Controls\Control{1..3}.exe"
When I try to load the batch file within, it doesn't appear to change the directory, and loads only opens a command prompt where the initial batch file is located, in this case, the Desktop directory.
I know there are options to open them on Windows startup, but that's not what I want. I want to load them up when I need to use the applications.
BONUS POINTS: If someone can tell me how to exit all the applications in a batch script as well when I'm finished with them.
The batch parser works line by line. & is used to write two commands in one line. So it doesn't make sense to end a line with a &.
For readability, the use of & should be limited.
cd should be used with the /d switch to be able to switch to another drive.
start takes the first quoted parameter as a window title, so give it a pseudo title.
start has a /d parameter to set the working folder, so you don't need cd at all:
So your batch file simplifies to:
#echo off
start "" /d "D:\Controls\" "D:\HW_Controls\Control1.exe"
start "" /d "D:\Controls\" "D:\HW_Controls\Control2.exe"
start "" /d "D:\Controls\" "D:\HW_Controls\Control3.exe"
echo press any key to kill the program.
pause >nul
taskkill /im "Control1.exe"
taskkill /im "Control2.exe"
taskkill /im "Control3.exe"
Note: taskkill sends a termination signal to the application. If it does not answer correctly by closing itself, you can force-close it with the /f switch.
Here's one method to launch multiple programs at once:
#For %%A in ("notepad.exe" "chrome.exe" "calc.exe") do start "" %%~A
I am trying to create a batch file that runs a command.
The first part of the command checks to see if a particularly named window is open on my desktop. If it is it then closes that window (by sending a command to the program with the window open - Virtual Audio Cable).
#For /f "Delims=:" %A in ('tasklist /nh /v /fi "WINDOWTITLE eq Headphones"') do #if %A==INFO (echo Prog not running) else (start /min "audiorepeater_ks" "c:program files\Virtual Audio Cable\audiorepeater_ks.exe" /CloseInstance: Headphones)
Now this command seems to work fine when I execute it via the command line.
But it does nothing when I try to put it in a batch file
I have tried a .bat file and a .cmd file and also created a shortcut to the .cmd file where i have prepended the target field in properties with "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c"
Any ideas on how I can get this to run via batch?
You will have to escape "%A" with "%%A" as CristiFati pointed out. For more escape characters, please visit https://www.robvanderwoude.com/escapechars.php
I have a small problem with my batch script. The idea is simple:
I have an app that checks for updates periodically (checks for one exe file). If it finds one it then downloads it, renames it and puts it in the same directory as the old file. Then the app creates a .bat file and also puts it in the same directory. The contents of .bat file are :
#ECHO OFF
ECHO Waiting while old application closes...
ping 127.0.0.1 -n 5
taskkill /IM myApp.exe /f
ECHO Updating application
move /y myApp_TEMP.exe myApp.exe
START myApp.exe
pause
Before I close my application (myApp.exe) I instruct it to execute the .bat file, ant wait 5 sec. so it will properly close, that’s why the ping 127.0.0.1 -n 5 is here for. So ideally this script should:
Close myApp.exe
Rename myApp_TEMP.exe to myApp.exe
Overwrite old myApp.exe with new myApp.exe
Start myApp.exe
And it works when I double click on the .bat file, the problem occurs when I put myApp.exe in Windows startup list.
So the app start's, downloads update, generates the .bat file (keep in mind that everything is happening in the same directory) and then runs it. After some digging i found out that the line move /y myApp_TEMP.exe myApp.exe is not executing. But when I run this script manually everything works. Maybe someone has already experienced similar issues?
You are using relative paths in your filenames. Check that it's being run with the correct current directory or switch to absolute paths.
I would suggest using a CD /D <directory of the .exe file> before the move, that way you always know for sure you're in the right directory. Also, you can use timeout 5 /NOBREAK to wait for 5 seconds in regular batch-files
Might need to add some redundancy to the script. Such as:
#ECHO OFF
ECHO Waiting while old application closes...
taskkill /IM myApp.exe /f
timeout 5 /nobreak >nul
ECHO Updating application
IF EXIST "%cd%\MyApp_TEMP.exe" move /y myApp_TEMP.exe myApp.exe
IF EXIST "%cd%\MyApp.exe" GOTO STARTAPP
ECHO File not found. Unable to update.
pause
exit
:STARTAPP
START myApp.exe
pause
The problem seems to stem from a problem in directory searching. While this could be solved with a rather long search time, it'd be easier to make sure that the batch is in the same directory as "MyApp_TEMP.exe" or using
cd <path to MyApp_TEMP.exe>
ECHO Updating application
move /y myApp_TEMP.exe myApp.exe
START myApp.exe
pause
You could also use an ELSE if the file is not found, I just Personally prefer to use label jumping with GOTO.
I need start all folders in a the Windows "Start/Programs/Startup folder" of an XP machine, explorer is disabled to stop top people playing and remove the Start and Task-bar.
I can run a batch file at start-up but how do I write the batch to run ALL programs in the "Start/Programs/Startup folder" the programs in the folder may change but the batch needs to remain the same
I am able to open each file individually using the below code but I really need to be able to open everything in the folder to avoid problems in the future
start "" /b "C:\Documents and Settings\User\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\PROG.appref-ms"
I have tried the code below, that batch starts but nothing starts
%DIR%=C:\Documents and Settings\Pete\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
for %%a in (%DIR%\*) do "%%a"
Running the batch from the desktop also doesn't run the programs in the start folder, the DIR address is taken from windows explorer when I navigated to the folder with the short cuts in
This is an interesting request--one that I would question the motive behind, but since you asked, here's a way you could accomplish it:
#echo off
set DIR=C:\Your\Directory
for %%a in ("%DIR%\*") do "%%a"
Thank you, for those whom took the time to read my question. I am a gamer and would like to execute a few things. First, I would like to Trigger a batch file when I click a program, how do you do that or is it even possible? Basically, activating a game, triggers the batch file.
NOw for the batch file problem, I want to execute Xpadder when I activate games (this is an mmo) and when I close the game I want Xpadder's process/service to close. Ultimately, it's auto trigger,activate,wait,terminate.
That's kind of the process I want it to go if all can be done.
Batch File:
#echo off
start "Blade" "C:\Users\user\Documents\Blade.xpadderprofile" Blade.xpadderprofile
ECHO Blade.xpadderprofile STARTED
start /w "C:\Program Files (x86)\game\games.exe" games.exe
ECHO games STARTED
taskkill /f /im Xpadder.exe
This actually works but the problem is there are two ".exe" files with mmo's. I'll start the game and it would close Xpadder too early because one launcher starts another launcher/client. Xpadder works for the first launcher but the first launcher closes so the game will start. I hope I am explaining myself clear enough.
Reference link: How to automatically close App_A when I close App_B using batchfile
Essentially, this is the same question I have but it's not very clear. What is the batch code to get Xpadder to stay on until the second launcher/client is closed not the first one?
P.S
The game has to open through the launcher then into the second launcher/client or it will not work.
here is the other clients name and path i think:
C:\Program Files (x86)\game\gamer\bin\gam.exe
How about the use of the PsExec, a small MS ulility? Using it, your batch should work:
cmd /c psexec -d "Blade" "C:\Users\user\Documents\Blade.xpadderprofile" Blade.xpadderprofile
start /w "C:\Program Files (x86)\game\games.exe" games.exe
taskkill /f /im Xpadder.exe
The file psexec.exe must be placed in folder enlisted in the system variable WINDIR or PATH, or, otherwise, you should call it with its full path, eg. *C:\Program Files\Others\pstools.exe".
You can add #echo off, salt, pepper or some green Tabasco if you have mon€y for this :D