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What is a batch file?
Learn what a batch file is.
John Savill
January 8, 2000
1 Min Read
A. A batch file is a text file with a .bat or .cmd extension. A batch file adheres to a syntax and a set of valid commands or instructions. To run a batch file, enter the file’s name. You don't need to enter the .cmd or .bat extension. To write a basic batch file, perform the following steps.
@echo hello world@echo off".cmd"@echo off".cmd"Open Notepad.
Enter the command
Text that follows the echo command will output to the screen. The @ symbol suppresses the command from printing to the screen. To prevent commands from displaying for an entire batch file, enter
at the top of the batch file.
Select Save As from the file menu.
Enter the batch file’s name as
Be sure to enter the name in quotes, or Notepad will add .txt to the end.
Run cmd.exe to start a command session.
Enter the batch file’s name, without the extension.
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