Batch File To Loop Menu - windows

I'm creating a batch file that will launch when I login to my user account. I followed this tutorial to create a batch file with a menu. It works, however, if the user enters a number that is not listed, I want it to go back to the menu. How would I implement that?
Side note: I understand I could use something more flexible like Powershell, however, I prefer batch files.
Here is what I have so far:
#ECHO OFF
CLS
:MENU
echo Welcome %USERNAME%
echo 1 - Start KeePass
echo 2 - Backup
echo 3 - Exit
SET /P M=Type 1,2,3 then press Enter:
IF %M%==1 GOTO StarKeePass
IF %M%==2 GOTO Backup
IF %M%==3 GOTO :EOF
:StarKeePass
SET keePass="%USERPROFILE%\KeePass\KeePass-2.30\KeePass.exe"
SET kdb="%USERPROFILE%\KeePass\PasswordDatabase\PasswordDatabase.kdbx"
echo I'll start KeePass for You
START "" %keePass% %kdb%
GOTO MENU
:Backup
SET backup="%USERPROFILE%\backup.bat"
call %backup%
GOTO MENU

To build a menu using set /P, I recommend the following changes:
after all the if queries, put a goto :MENU to catch unintended entries;
reset the selection variable by something like set "SELECT=" before the set /P command, because set /P keep the former value of the variable in case the user presses just ENTER;
put quotes "" around the expressions in the if statements to avoid syntax errors in case the variable is empty or it contains some characters that have special meanings (^ & ( ) < > |; the " character still causes problems though);
use the quoted syntax set [/P] "SELECT=anything" to avoid trouble with special characters;
in case letters are queried, add the /I switch to if to force case-insensitive comparison;
if you wish, you could put a cls command after the :MENU label to let the screen be built up every time you return to the menu;
Here is an example that demonstrates what I am talking about:
#echo off
:MENU
cls
echo --- MAIN MENU ---
echo 1 - do something
echo 2 - do something else
echo Q - quit
set "SELECT="
set /P "SELECT=Type 1, 2, or Q <Enter>: "
if "%SELECT%"=="1" GOTO :SOMEWHERE
if "%SELECT%"=="2" GOTO :SOMEWHERE_ELSE
if /I "%SELECT%"=="Q" GOTO :EOF
goto :MENU
:SOMEWHERE
rem do something here...
echo.
echo Print some text.
pause
goto :MENU
:SOMEWHERE_ELSE
rem do something else here...
echo.
echo Print some other text.
pause
goto :MENU
To avoid the above mentioned troubles with the " character, modify the set /P block as follows:
set "SELECT=""
set /P "SELECT=Type 1, 2, or Q <Enter>: "
set "SELECT=%SELECT:"=%"
if "%SELECT%"=="1" GOTO :SOMEWHERE
if "%SELECT%"=="2" GOTO :SOMEWHERE_ELSE
if /I "%SELECT%"=="Q" GOTO :EOF
goto :MENU

Related

how can I make a batch file create a batch file that can still contain percentage values

I'm trying to create a batch file that creates a batch file, but as it seems I can't get the first batch file to also send over percentage value's (e.g. %example%). How do I make the first batch file, which creates the second batch file ? But the generated file should contain % ? Also if you find any other errors in my script please correct it :)
Also while I'm here, as you can see I've put an "example, please help!" underneath the ":prep" I can't seem to figure out the ">nul" thing. No matter how many "^" I put it won't save to the last sector (which is "gnome.bat"). It will however save to the "setup.bat" but not any further. Please also help me with that!
The error is under ":Prep"
here's my full script: (not even close to being done with the script...)
#echo off
title Annoying Menu
mode 150
color a
:begin
cls
echo Welcome to "Annoying Menu"
echo This menu is made to prank your friends
echo All pranks that you make on your friends are completely your own responsibility
echo Please be aware that this menu contains what could be consideret "Virus"
echo No harm will however be done to either your, or your freinds pc
echo Please read through all the instructions before use, of the menu...
echo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
echo 1. Please select a password to cancel the prank, by pressing "3" (only numbers)
echo 2. Please make sure that the setup files are ready to be transferred, by pressing "1"
echo 3. Now you are ready to send off the setup file to one of your freinds
echo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
echo type "1" to create setup file
echo type "2" to prepare setup files for use
echo type "3" to download it on your own pc
echo type "4" to select password to cancel the prank (please only use numbers)
echo type "5" to test password
echo type "exit" to close the menu
echo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
echo.
set /p opt= Option:
if %opt%==1 goto create
if %opt%==2 goto prep
if %opt%==3 goto UD
if %opt%==4 goto pass_select
if %opt%==5 goto testpass
if %opt%==exit goto end
cls
echo please enter a valid number to continue...
echo.
pause
goto begin
:create
break>"C:\Users\%Username%\Desktop\setup.bat"
echo.
echo setup file created, please prepare the setup file before use, by pressing "2" in the main menu
echo.
pause
goto begin
:prep
#echo #echo off> setup.bat
#echo title quick_setup>> setup.bat
#echo color a>> setup.bat
#echo mode 150>> setup.bat
#echo :begin>> setup.bat
#echo break^>"C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\gnome.bat">> setup.bat
#echo cd C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup>> setup.bat
(Example, please help!)
#echo #echo ping localhost -n 2 ^>nul^>^> gnome.bat>> setup.bat)
#echo #echo set /a time=%clock%-1^>^> gnome.bat>> setup.bat
#echo #echo if %clock% EQU 0 goto Timesup^>^> gnome.bat>> setup.bat
#echo #echo :Timesup^>^> gnome.bat>> setup.bat)
goto begin
(Not Done!)
:UD
(Not Done!)
:pass_select
cls
echo Please enter a password that will be used to cancel the prank (please only use numbers)
echo.
set /p pas= Set Password:
set /a pss=%pas%
cls
echo the password has now been set to %pss%
echo to enter a new password simply select "3" again and choose a new password
echo.
pause
goto begin
:testpass
cls
echo we are now ready to test your newly set password (if not you've set a password, please do so first)
echo.
echo type "1" to start the test
echo type "2" to set a password/new password
echo type "exit" to go back to the main menu
echo.
set /p lll= Option:
if %lll%==1 goto test
if %lll%==2 goto pass_select
if %lll%==exit goto begin
cls
echo please enter a valid number to continue...
echo.
pause
goto testpass
:test
cls
echo please enter password to continue...
echo type "exit" to go back to main menu
echo.
set /p tes= Password:
if %tes%==%pss% goto completetest
if %tes%==exit goto begin
cls
echo either you typed the wrong password or it didn't work, please try to set a new password if the same thing happens twice...
echo.
pause
goto test
:completetest
cls
echo The test was successful!
echo you're password works as intended
echo.
pause
goto begin
:end
In order to have percentages in your second script you need to put %%. Then the you will have the % in the output script:
#echo cd C:\Users\%%Username%%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup>>setup.bat
Escaping% with another % is a documented feature as described here in chapter Escape Percent : https://ss64.com/nt/syntax-esc.html
Here's your prep section rewritten as required.
:prep
( Echo #Title quick_setup
Echo #Color A
Echo #Mode 125
Echo :begin
Echo #CD /D "%%AppData%%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup"
Echo #CD.^>"gnome.bat"
Echo ( #Echo #Timeout 1 /NoBreak^^^>NUL
Echo #Echo #Set /A time=clock-1
Echo #Echo #If %%%%clock%%%% EQU 0 GoTo timesup
Echo #Echo :timesup
Echo ^)^>^>"gnome.bat"
)>>"%UserProfile%\Desktop\setup.bat"
GoTo begin
Please note however, that I have written the content as you had, (other than using Timeout to replace the very hacky Ping command for your 1 second delay and my replacement of Break for CD. in creating the empty file). You will therefore need to account for the fact that your gnome.bat code uses a variable %clock% which has not been pre-defined anywhere in that code, and you need to be very sure that you're wanting to modify the content of the system variable %TIME%.

I am using a Batch File to search a list of functions for an exact match, wondering if its possible to do a keyword search instead

I am using a Batch File to search a list of functions for an exact match, wondering if its possible to do a key word search, so right now i have to type "open cmd"
(variations on spacing and capital letters are accounted for)
Id like to switch it over to a system that can look for "cmd" and perform the action so "hey, open cmd please" would yield the same result as the old system
Old system:
setlocal
:: /STARTUP
set speech=start scripts\nircmd.exe speak text
cls
:begin
set TALK=TypeSomething
SET /P TALK=
set TALK=%TALK:?=%
call :%TALK: =% 2>NUL
if %errorlevel% equ 0 goto begin
exit /B 0
:unknown
echo Old function no longer supported
:opencmd
:BOSopencmd
:cmd
echo Command Prompt has now been opened in a new window, sir.
%speech% "Command Prompt has now been opened in a new window, sir."
start scripts\cmd.bat
exit /B 0
It is based of a chat bot i tried to make in middle school so the %speech% is not an important item, i can add that and the echo later. I just need a system that works like the old one if possible. The other i can have any number of functions with
:cmd
start cmd
Exit /B 0
or
:reddit
start http://www.reddit.com/
exit /B 0
at these need to be able to stack. I can transition to having scripts for each function in a separate batch files if needed. Ive tried trying findstr but it wasn't giving the desired results. Ive exhausted my knowledge on what i might be able to do but I've come up short lol, If you are having trouble understanding what i'm asking don't hesitate to let me know
I learn by taking things apart so partial code is appreciated but will not be much help until after I've figured out what does what .
Here's a sample of how you might approach it using ECHO, FINDSTR, and CALL (This is a modified example from the original per your request to be able to process multiple keywords):
#echo off
set TST_FNDFLG=FALSE
set TST_USRANS=
set /P TST_USRANS=Enter keywords:
if "%TST_USRANS%" == "" goto ENDIT
echo %TST_USRANS% | findstr /i "CMD" >NUL 2>&1
if ERRORLEVEL 1 goto TRYRED
call :DOCMD
:TRYRED
echo %TST_USRANS% | findstr /i "REDDIT" >NUL 2>&1
if ERRORLEVEL 1 goto TRYGOO
call :DORED
:TRYGOO
echo %TST_USRANS% | findstr /i "GOOGLE" >NUL 2>&1
if ERRORLEVEL 1 goto TRYEND
call :DOGOO
goto TRYEND
:DOCMD
if [%TST_FNDFLG%] == [FALSE] echo.
echo CMD was found in "%TST_USRANS%"
set TST_FNDFLG=TRUE
goto :EOF
:DORED
if [%TST_FNDFLG%] == [FALSE] echo.
echo REDDIT was found in "%TST_USRANS%"
set TST_FNDFLG=TRUE
goto :EOF
:DOGOO
if [%TST_FNDFLG%] == [FALSE] echo.
echo GOOGLE was found in "%TST_USRANS%"
set TST_FNDFLG=TRUE
goto :EOF
:TRYEND
echo.
if [%TST_FNDFLG%] == [TRUE] echo No more keywords found
if [%TST_FNDFLG%] == [FALSE] echo Did not find any known keywords
goto ENDIT
:ENDIT
echo.
set TST_USRANS=
set TST_FNDFLG=

Can't find syntax error in batch file

So I'm relatively new to coding, and I just can't seem to find the syntax error in this code of mine. Every time the menu loads, and I press 1, it closes and flashes a quick error saying that there is a syantax error. If you guys could help me find out what's causing the problem. BTW, this is a text based rpg. No judge :)
#echo off
TITLE VICTIMQUEST =-= RETRO EDITION
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
:menu
color 0a
cls
echo.
echo VICTIMQUEST =-= RETRO EDITION
echo.
echo 1) Begin
echo 2) Exit
echo.
set /p c=C:\
if "%c%" == "1" goto new
if "%c%" == "2" exit
goto menu
:new
set health=100
set monsterhealth=30
set playerdmg=7
set monsterdmg=3
goto home
:home
cls
echo You sit in your nice, cozy cabin...
echo ----------------------
echo Nothing you need to worry about.
echo.
echo 1) FIGHT!
echo 2) Quit :|
echo.
set /p c=C:\
if "%c%" == "1" goto encounter1
if "%c%" == "2" goto menu
goto home
:encounter1
cls
echo You: %health%
echo.
echo 1) Attack
echo 2) Run away
echo.
set /p c=C:\
if "!c!" == "1' goto attack1
if "!c!' == "2" goto home
goto encounter1
Please help. Thanks!
3 Changes:
REM #echo off - Echo should be on when you are debugging or you're flying blind
The pipe character | is a special character and must be escaped with ^.
echo 2) Quit :^|
Incorrect quote mark. Needs to be a double quote.
if "!c!" == "1" goto attack1
I should warn you that computers are extremely picky when it comes to punctuation.
Things like "!c!" == "1' and "!c!' == "2" will never work.
The | character has a special meaning, so you cannot use it unless you escape it with a ^ or you place it in double quotes together with other stuff.
add
pause >nul
to the end of your batch file. this will make it so the batch file will not close until the user presses a key.

VBScript and Batch interaction

I am running a batch script and somewhere the user has to access a database.
At this moment, a window made in vbscript would prompt asking the user to type in the login and password. (OK, Cancel buttons)
If the credentials are correct after the OK, the batch would continue according to planA, otherwise the batch would do something else going to planB. If (Cancel), it would return to the batch and the main menu.
THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH:
#echo off
:Ini
echo [1] Access database
echo [2] Main menu
echo:
set /p Quest= What do you prefer (1 / 2)?
if not '%Quest%'=='' set Quest=%Quest:~0,1%
if '%Quest%'=='1' goto VBS
if '%Quest%'=='2' goto BATCH
echo Invalid option, please try again
cls
goto Ini
:BATCH
echo Heading for main menu ...
goto Main
:VBS
:wscript.echo InputBox("Enter your password","VBScript-Batch")
findstr "^:" "%~sf0" | findstr /i /v ":Label" >temp.vbs
for /f "delims=" %%N in ('cscript //nologo temp.vbs') do set pass=%%N
del temp.vbs
:Label1
If %pass%=="okay" echo Valid Password ! & goto PLAN-A
If not %pass%=="okay" echo Invalid Password !! & goto PLAN-B
:PLAN-A
echo continue from here
:PLAN-B
echo do something else
(...)
-- How to capture the user information, validate it and go back to the batch for the planA or planB ??
As you see, if we eliminate the "& goto PLAN" stuff the script works. It sends the VBS input "pass" to the batch and the batch echoes "continue from here" or "do something else", from where the rest of your code should continue in the same batch.
However, it is not working ... Any help to make this really work ?
Your primary issue was you didn't set up the file properly to facilitate extracting the VBS from the batch file. Your VBS looks no different than a batch label. You filter out "Label" labels, but you still include lines like :ini, :BATCH, etc. Obviously those will trip up VBS. I solved the problem by prefixing your VBS with ::: and adapting your filter. There is no need to explicitly filter out any labels. I chose 3 colons because a single colon is used for a label, and 2 colons is frequently used for comments. You could have multiple independent VBS scripts embedded within your batch simply by varying the number of preceding colons.
I also restructured the code a small amount, and sprinkled in some EXIT /B statements so that code does not fall through. Also your :MAIN is not defined so I commented out the GOTO and replaced it with EXIT /B.
#echo off
:Ini
echo [1] Access database
echo [2] Main menu
echo:
set /p Quest= What do you prefer (1 / 2)?
if not '%Quest%'=='' set Quest=%Quest:~0,1%
if '%Quest%'=='1' goto VBS
if '%Quest%'=='2' goto BATCH
echo Invalid option, please try again
cls
goto Ini
:BATCH
echo Heading for main menu ...
::goto Main
exit /b
:VBS
:::wscript.echo InputBox("Enter your password","VBScript-Batch")
findstr "^:::" "%~sf0" >temp.vbs
for /f "delims=" %%N in ('cscript //nologo temp.vbs') do set pass=%%N
del temp.vbs
If "%pass%"=="okay" (
echo Valid Password !
goto PLAN-A
) else (
echo Invalid Password !!
goto PLAN-B
)
:PLAN-A
echo continue from here
exit /b
:PLAN-B
echo do something else
exit /b

Batch file help (Loops and Menus)

I currently have this menu:
echo What would you like to do?
echo.
echo Choice
echo.
echo 1 Delete File
echo 2 Ignore File
echo.
:choice
set /P C=[1,2]?
if "%C%"=="2" goto Deleting
if "%C%"=="1" goto IgnoreFile
goto choice
Although it does not seem to work, when I select an option e.g. 2 it will not goto the :IgnoreFile section, instead it will continue the script (i.e. continue with the next command in the file, after entering my choice)
Very thrustrating, I am not sur
If I understand correctly your problem, you should make a end mark to skip a sequence of your script.
#echo off
echo What would you like to do?
echo.
echo Choice
echo.
echo 1 Delete File
echo 2 Ignore File
echo.
:choice
set /P C=[1,2]?
if "%C%"=="1" goto Deleting
if "%C%"=="2" goto IgnoreFile
goto choice
:Deleting
echo Deleting
[your code]
goto end
:IgnoreFile
echo IgnoreFile
[your code]
goto end
:end
the "goto end" at the end of each case allow you to skip the reste of the script. Don't forget to make a ":end" part at the very last line of your script.
If you don't use "goto end" and selected the "Deleting" case, the deleting part would be executed and the script would keep on going and run the "IgnoreFile" case

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