Batch Files - Start Multiple Programs at Once
InformationAll of the work done in this tutorial will be done through MS DOS Batch Files. They are simply a method by which to enter multiple commands into a command prompt without manually typing them. Batch files are run through Command Prompt but can be accessed by shortcuts as well.
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
Batch Files - Start Multiple Programs At Once
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New #1
I usually also change the Icon for the shortcut so it doesn't look like a .bat file
Excellent Tutorial btw
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New #2
Actually since System32 is part of the windows search path and START is unneeded when launching a program you could have simpy used...
notepad
calc
that's it... two simple one word lines... are all you really needed.
Don't believe me? Try it.
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New #3
That's true, but it's much better to include the start line in the tutorial because people new to tutorials might think it's not necessary ever. It's much better to include optional commands because when they become necessary, the average user will have them there. Not to mention the fact that it doesn't hurt anything to keep them in there.
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New #5
How do you reference a directory that has spaces in it?
Ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\
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New #7
Oh, right, thanks, but now I'm encountering the same problem I was having even with the quotes. Whenever I try to run it, it says it can't find the exe files. Here's the exact script:
Also, is there a way to run one of these programs with administrator privileges?@echo off
rem Hamachi
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Hamachi"
start hamachi-2.exe
rem Privoxy
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Privoxy"
start privoxy.exe
exit
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New #8
Hello Rob,
The batch file looks correct to me.
Are you sure those are the correct folder locations that the .exe files are in?
Could you post screenshots of these folder locations showing the .exe files in them to see what the issue may be?
To "Run as administrator" for an .exe, you could use Option Five or Option Six in the tutorial below to set it to always "Run as administrator".
Run as Administrator
Hope this helps for now, :)
Shawn
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New #9
If your command prompt isn't coming up in c:\ when it launches, then the cd c:\"... " won't work. you will need to use "/d" to make this switch to the c:\
(this can happen if you have more than 1 hdd and c: isn't your primary or if you have a home or network drive assigned that shows up instead as the default)
I think option 5 and 6 will still give you a UAC prompt. you could use option 7 if you don't want the prompt. Elevated Program Shortcut without UAC Prompt - Create
and then have the batch file execute the shortcut.
Example: I would create a folder like C:\ASC\ (short for admin short cuts) and then create your shortcuts there.
@echo off
cd /d c:\asc
REM Hamachi
start hamachi.lnk
cd c:\asc
REM Privoxy
start privoxy.lnk
exitLast edited by Thorsen; 28 Feb 2013 at 10:17. Reason: many many edits lol
Batch Files - Start Multiple Programs At Once
How to Use a Batch File to Run Multiple ProgramsPublished by not so gray matter
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