How-to: Create and Run a CMD batch file

To prepare a new batch script, save the file as plain ASCII text with the file extension .CMD

Run a batch file

A batch file can be run by double clicking it in Windows explorer, or by typing the name/path at the command line, optionally passing any parameters needed.

From the start menu: START > RUN c:\path_to_scripts\my_script.cmd , OK

If the filename includes any spaces, then you will need to surround the command with quotes:

«c:\path to scripts\my script.cmd «

Open a new CMD prompt by choosing START > RUN cmd , OK

From the command line, enter the name of the script and press return.

C:\Batch> Demo.cmd
or
C:\Batch> c:\path_to_scripts\my_script.cmd param1 param2

This can be made easier by creating a shortcut for the start menu or taskbar.

To run a batch file from within another batch file, use the CALL command, otherwise the first script will start the second script and immediately exit, so any further commands in the first script will not run.

It is also possible to run batch scripts with the old (Windows 95 style) .BAT extension, but be aware that these will run in 16 bit compatibility mode, and that sets the ERRORLEVEL according to the old MSDOS rules.

View the startup command line

The environment Variable %CmdCmdLine% will expand into the original command line passed to CMD.EXE

When a batch file is launched from the command line %CmdCmdLine% will return:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe param1

When a batch file is launched by double clicking in Windows Explorer or START > RUN, %CMDCMDLINE% will return:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /c «»C:\demo\batch.cmd param1

The /c can be used to detect the start mode:
Echo %CmdCmdLine% | findstr /c:» /c » >nul && Echo Started with a double click.

Run a Powershell script

To run a PowerShell script from the CMD shell:

If the arguments need quotes you will need to triple them so they are escaped:

When calling PowerShell from CMD be aware that a comma is a CMD delimiter, this makes it impossible to pass an array of comma separated values to PowerShell. item1,item2,item3 is treated the same as item1 item2 item3

Run a VBScript file

To run a VBScript from the CMD shell:

“The method of the enterprising is to plan with audacity and execute with vigor”

How do you run a command as an administrator from the Windows command line?

I have a small script that performs the build and install process on Windows for a Bazaar repository I’m managing. I’m trying to run the script with elevated, administrative privileges from within the Windows shell (cmd.exe)—just as if I’d right-clicked it and chosen Run as Administrator, but without using any method that requires use of the graphical interface.

8 Answers 8

A batch/WSH hybrid is able to call ShellExecute to display the UAC elevation dialog.

Press the start button. In the search box type «cmd», then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

All you have to do is use the runas command to run your program as Administrator (with a caveat).

In my case, this was

Note that you must use Quotation marks, else the runas command will gobble up the switch option to cmd.

Also note that the administrative shell (cmd.exe) starts up in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. This isn’t what I wanted, but it was easy enough to pass in the current path to my installer, and to reference it using an absolute path.

Caveat: Enable the admin account

Using runas this way requires the administrative account to be enabled, which is not the default on Windows 7 or Vista. However, here is a great tutorial on how to enable it, in three different ways:

I myself enabled it by opening Administrative Tools, Local Security Policy, then navigating to Local Policies\Security Options and changing the value of the Accounts: Administrative Account Status policy to Enabled, which is none of the three ways shown in the link.

Useful Run Commands Every Windows User Should Know

A quick-and-easy keyboard-only way to run Windows’ wealth of tools is through the “Run” command. If you know the corresponding Run command of a tool or task, then you know the quickest way to access said tool or task.

The following is a list of our favorite Run commands to help you be more productive.

Note: Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, and enter any of the below commands to access the respective tool.

List of Run Commands

1. services.msc – When you enter “services.msc” and press the Enter button, it will open the Windows Services app where you can easily start, stop and configure other settings for each and every service individually. It’s quite helpful when you want to toggle a service.

2. mstsc – Entering “mstsc” into the Run dialog box opens the Remote Desktop Connection app which allows you to connect to another Windows computers over the local network or through the Internet. This helps you use the host computer as your own.

3. msinfo32 – If you want to quickly get your system information, then the “msinfo32” command is the way to go. At a glance it will display all the system details including the hardware resources and software environment.

4. sdclt – This command opens the Backup and Restore window that allows you to quickly set a backup schedule or restore any of your previous backups.

5. compmgmt.msc – The Computer Management app is where you can access almost all the advanced Windows modules like Event Viewer, Shared Folder, System Tools, etc.

6. cleanmgr – This command allows you to open the Windows Disk Cleanup utility. Once opened, simply select the drive your want to clean up and click the “OK” button.

7. eventvwr.msc – Windows Event Viewer is where Windows stores all the monitoring and troubleshooting messages. You can use this command to quickly access the Event Viewer application.

8. control – Every Windows user knows a thing or two about the Windows Control Panel, and using this command you can quickly access the Control Panel with some stumbling around.

9. mmc – Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is an advanced Windows module that is mainly aimed at system administrators and power users, as it sports all the tools required for configuring and monitoring a Windows system.

10. resmon – Whenever you want to check how your system resources are being utilized, simply use this Run command, and it displays everything from your CPU to Dist to Network.

11. \ – This is one of the lesser-known Run commands. Just enter the backslash into the Run dialog box, and it will open up the C drive. It is one of the quickest ways to access the C drive.

12. . – This is yet another lesser-known Run command. When executed, it opens the current user’s home folder which hosts all the other local folders like the Downloads, Documents, Desktop, Pictures, etc.

13. .. – When you execute these two dots in the Run dialog box, it will open up the Users folder which is located directly in the C drive.

14. calc – If you want to quickly open the built-in Windows calculator app, typing calc in the Run dialog box is the easiest way to do it.

15. cmd – Even Windows users have to deal with the command line sometimes. With this command you can quickly open the command prompt without administrator privileges.

16. powershell – If the command prompt is too old for you, then you may want to try PowerShell. Just type this command in the Run dialog box, and you will have your PowerShell opened without administrator privileges.

17. netplwiz – The general user accounts option is available through the Control Panel, but if you want to mess with the advanced user account options, then use this command to open the Advanced User Accounts window. If you want to deal with the Authorization Manager, then use the Run command azman.msc .

18. gpedit.msc – Group Policy Editor in Windows allows you to set and edit different Windows policies of a local or remote computer. Since Group Policy Editor is an advanced tool, it is buried deep inside Windows, and this Run command is the easiest way to access it.

19. lusrmgr.msc – Using this command, you can open the Local Users and Groups Manager where you can edit several properties of all the users and groups.

20. mrt – Every month Windows releases a newer version of Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool through the Windows Update. This free tool helps you in cleaning some of the most popular malicious software from your Windows computer. This tool runs silently in the background, but if you want to run it manually, then use this Run command.

21. ncpa.cpl – Being an Internet user means that you have to deal with occasional (if not daily) network problems, and one way to troubleshoot your network connection is by accessing your Network Adapters. To access all your Network Adapters, you can use this Run command.

22. perfmon.msc – If you want to monitor the performance of your Windows computer and effects of the programs you run, running Performance Monitor will provide ample data. You can access the Performance Monitor using this command.

23. powercfg.cpl – Windows hosts a wide range of power options to deal with your computer’s power usage, and you can access all those Power Options using this command.

24. appwiz.cpl – Using this command you can quickly access the Programs and Features window where you can quickly uninstall your installed programs.

25. devmgmt.msc – Windows Device Manager is where you can manage all your hardware devices, and you can use this Run command to quickly access it. Alternatively, you can also use the command “hdwwiz.cpl.”

26. regedit – Regedit Run command can be used to access the Windows Registry, which is a hierarchical database that hosts all the configurations and settings of an operating system and the installed programs.

27. msconfig – Windows System Configuration is where you can edit different things like the boot options, startup options, services, etc. You can use this Run command to access the System Configuration window.

28. sysdm.cpl – If you ever want to access the System Properties window, then using this Run command opens it right up.

29. firewall.cpl – If you want to manage or configure your Windows firewall, then you can use this Run command to quickly access the Firewall window.

30. wuapp – Last but not least, you can use this command to check, manage and configure all your Windows update settings.

More Run Commands

Can’t get enough of the Run command? Here we have compiled a big list of all the Run commands available in Windows.

Task Name	Run Command
About Windows	winver
Add a Device	devicepairingwizard
Add Hardware Wizard	hdwwiz
Advanced User Accounts	netplwiz
Authorization Manager	azman
Backup and Restore	sdclt
Bluetooth File Transfer	fsquirt
Calculator	calc
Certificates	certmgr
Change Computer Performance Settings	systempropertiesperformance
Change Data Execution Prevention Settings	systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
Change Printer Settings	printui
Character Map	charmap
ClearType Tuner	cttune
Color Management	colorcpl
Command Prompt	cmd
Component Services	comexp
Component Services	dcomcnfg
Computer Management	compmgmt
Computer Management	compmgmtlauncher
Connect to a Network Projector	netproj
Connect to a Projector	displayswitch
Control Panel	control
Create A Shared Folder Wizard	shrpubw
Create a System Repair Disc	recdisc
Credential Backup and Restore Wizard	credwiz
Data Execution Prevention	systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
Default Location	locationnotifications
Device Manager	devmgmt
Device Pairing Wizard	devicepairingwizard
Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard	msdt
Digitizer Calibration Tool	tabcal
DirectX Diagnostic Tool	dxdiag
Disk Cleanup	cleanmgr
Disk Defragmenter	dfrgui
Disk Management	diskmgmt
Display	dpiscaling
Display Color Calibration	dccw
Display Switch	displayswitch
DPAPI Key Migration Wizard	dpapimig
Driver Verifier Manager	verifier
Ease of Access Center	utilman
Encrypting File System Wizard	rekeywiz
Event Viewer	eventvwr
Fax Cover Page Editor	fxscover
File Signature Verification	sigverif
Getting Started	gettingstarted
IExpress Wizard	iexpress
Import to Windows Contacts	wabmig*
iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool	iscsicpl
iSCSI Initiator Properties	iscsicpl
Language Pack Installer	lpksetup
Local Group Policy Editor	gpedit
Local Security Policy	secpol
Local Users and Groups	lusrmgr
Location Activity	locationnotifications
Magnifier	magnify
Malicious Software Removal Tool	mrt
Manage Your File Encryption Certificates	rekeywiz
Math Input Panel	mip*
Microsoft Management Console	mmc
Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool	msdt
NAP Client Configuration	napclcfg
Narrator	narrator
New Scan Wizard	wiaacmgr
Notepad	notepad
ODBC Data Source Administrator	odbcad32
ODBC Driver Configuration	odbcconf
On-Screen Keyboard	osk
Paint	mspaint
Performance Monitor	perfmon
Performance Options	systempropertiesperformance
Phone Dialer	dialer
Presentation Settings	presentationsettings
Print Management	printmanagement
Printer Migration	printbrmui
Printer User Interface	printui
Private Character Editor	eudcedit
Problem Steps Recorder	psr
Protected Content Migration	dpapimig
Registry Editor	regedit
Remote Access Phonebook	rasphone
Remote Desktop Connection	mstsc
Resource Monitor	resmon
Resultant Set of Policy	rsop
Securing the Windows Account Database	syskey
Services	services
Set Program Access and Computer Defaults	computerdefaults
Share Creation Wizard	shrpubw
Shared Folders	fsmgmt
Snipping Tool	snippingtool
Sound Recorder	soundrecorder
SQL Server Client Network Utility	cliconfg
Sticky Notes	stikynot
Stored User Names and Passwords	credwiz
Sync Center	mobsync
System Configuration	msconfig
System Configuration Editor	sysedit (This command doesn’t work in the 64-bit version of Windows.)
System Information	msinfo32
System Properties (Advanced Tab)	systempropertiesadvanced
System Properties (Computer Name Tab)	systempropertiescomputername
System Properties (Hardware Tab)	systempropertieshardware
System Properties (Remote Tab)	systempropertiesremote
System Properties (System Protection Tab)	systempropertiesprotection
System Restore	rstrui
Tablet PC Input Panel	tabtip*
Task Manager	taskmgr
Task Scheduler	taskschd
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management	tpm
User Account Control Settings	useraccountcontrolsettings
Utility Manager	utilman
Version Reporter Applet	winver
Volume Mixer	sndvol
Windows Activation Client	slui
Windows Anytime Upgrade Results	windowsanytimeupgraderesults
Windows Contacts	wab*
Windows Disc Image Burning Tool	isoburn
Windows DVD Maker	dvdmaker*
Windows Easy Transfer	migwiz*
Windows Explorer	explorer
Windows Fax and Scan	wfs
Windows Features	optionalfeatures
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security	wf
Windows Help and Support	winhlp32
Windows Journal	journal*
Windows Media Player	wmplayer*
Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler	mdsched
Windows Mobility Center	mblctr
Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard	wiaacmgr
Windows PowerShell	powershell*
Windows PowerShell ISE	powershell_ise*
Windows Remote Assistance	msra
Windows Repair Disc	recdisc
Windows Script Host	wscript
Windows Update	wuapp
Windows Update Standalone Installer	wusa
WMI Management	wmimgmt
WMI Tester	wbemtest
WordPad	write
XPS Viewer	xpsrchvw
Access Screen Resolution page	desk.cpl
Access Mouse properties	main.cpl
Access Windows Action Center	wscui.cpl
Access Network Adapters	ncpa.cpl
Access Power Option	powercfg.cpl
Access the Programs and Features Window	appwiz.cpl
Access the System Properties	sysdm.cpl
Access the Windows Firewall	firewall.cpl
*You cannot run these commands from a command prompt or the search box.

As you can see, the Windows Run command is one of the best utilities you can find in Windows. Besides the commands shared above that first come to mind, there are many other commands to access different parts of Windows. So if you think that we missed any of your favorite Run commands, do share them in the comments below.