What is wrong with this command line?

trunxson · 18 Aug 2014

Help please I am pulling my hair out.

I use a desktop shortcut to run an application called get_iplayer.cmd located in the directory c:\program files\get_iplayer

The line in the Target of the shortcut properties therefore reads:

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k "c:\program files\get_iplayer\get_iplayer.cmd"

When the shortcut is run (as administrator) the following lines are returned:

'c:\program' is not a recognized internal or external command, operable program or batch file
c:\windows\system32>

However if I repeat the command again by running cmd and use CD to get to manually change directories the program runs as expected.

What is going wrong?

MilesAhead · 19 Aug 2014

This is the dreaded space in the filename issue. When you run a command with spaces in the path you must double up the double quotes as shown in the example
"Spaces in Program Path:"
CMD.exe (Command Shell) | Windows CMD | SS64.com

Kaktussoft · 19 Aug 2014

Try:
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k ""c:\program files\get_iplayer\get_iplayer.cmd""

trunxson · 19 Aug 2014

Sorry but I just get a label syntax error with the double ""

trunxson · 19 Aug 2014

actually i was wrong i now get

' "c:\program files\get_iplayer\get_iplayer.cmd' " is not recognised as an internal or external command ...blaa.. blaa..

MilesAhead · 20 Aug 2014

How about let the shell do it? Right click in the folder where the .cmd file is, New Shortcut, choose the .cmd file as target. Then if it works you should be able to drag the shortcut to the desktop or wherever and have it still function.

Edit: Or do it another way. Right click your shortcut on the desktop and click Properties. Fill in the "Start in:" field with the folder where the .cmd file is. Since program files has a space you may need to wrap it in double quotes. But this method should be more reliable.

Slartybart · 20 Aug 2014

Use the environment variable, ProgramFiles

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k %ProgramFiles%\get_iplayer\get_iplayer.cmd