Windows 7 - Batch Files - Start Multiple Programs At Once

Open a New Document in Notepad

Open a New Document in Notepad and save it as filename.bat, choose a filename that is easy to remember.

Command Echoing

The first thing we're going to do is turn off command echoing. It isn't an integral part of this tutorial, but becomes annoying when running the batch file through command prompt.

Enter this line in Notepad:
@echo off

Starting up the Programs

This next set of lines will start the programs. I will use real directories for programs that everyone has in order to show the process properly. The rem command is simply a comment, the cd command changes the directory and start is self-explanatory.

Enter these lines:
rem Notepad
cd %windir%\system32
start notepad.exe
rem Calculator
cd %windir%\system32
start calc.exe

Closing Command Prompt

No one wants to run a batch file and leave a command prompt open, so now we'll add a line to close it.

Enter this line:
Exit

• Confirmation

The final text document will look like this:

@echo off
rem Notepad
cd %windir%\system32
start notepad.exe
rem Calculator
cd %windir%\system32
start calc.exe
exit

Save & Create a Shortcut

Now you'll need to save the file as filename.bat. In reality the name can be *ANYTHING*.bat but name it something you can type easily since it'll be placed in the target command of the shortcut.

Now create a shortcut. It doesn't matter where you saved the .bat file, unless you plan on writing in the shortcut parameters instead of right clicking and sending the shortcut to the desktop.

Change the Icon for the Shortcut

Now you can change the icon for the shorcut.

Right Click Shorcut > Properties > Change Icon Box > OK > Choose From Available Icons