Windows Batch File Syntax List
Windows Bat File Commands

Windows Batch Scripting: If/Then Conditionals. Checking that a File or Folder Exists. Which causes the the operand to effectively disappear and cause. In Windows Explorer (aka, “My Computer”), you should be able to view a batch file in Notepad by right clicking the file and seleting Edit from the context menu. If you need to view the contents within a command prompt window itself, you can use a DOS command like TYPE myscript.cmd or MORE myscript.cmd or EDIT myscript.cmd. Oct 25, 2012 If the pc is an XP machine, rename the P45login.bmp file to same nameOLD.bmp, then copy the file from loaction 14 into the directory noted. If the PC is a Win 7 machine, skip the first part, go to the second part, and commit the same changes.

Active6 years, 11 months ago

The following windows 7 batch file script returns the error:

The syntax of the command is incorrect

Using PSTOOLs to push out a change to computers, and will add the list when the syntax error is corrected.

The desired result:

If the pc is an XP machine, rename the P45login.bmp file to same name_OLD.bmp, then copy the file from loaction 14 into the directory noted.

If the PC is a Win 7 machine, skip the first part, go to the second part, and commit the same changes.

close the session.

I have moved quotes, added/subtracted switches, but arrive at the same error.

Surely it is just a simple syntax particularity that I am not catching.

Hoping someone will take a look, see the obvious I am missing, and point me in the right direction,.

Thank you for any help or suggestions.

zdan

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Michelle DanielMichelle Daniel

1 Answer

Your ren syntax is wrong. ren does not support any switches and also rename_to needs to be name only, not full path. See full details here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754276%28v=ws.10%29.aspx

Additionally:
- if exists needs quotes around path
- you use both E1 or E1 (with or without space). While both could be valid, I would double check if that's not an error.
- if the paths above are actually different, you need to use move (with full paths) instead of ren.

wmzwmz

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A batch file is a collection of MS-DOS and Windows command line commands that can be run on a computer. If you are familiar with the command line, you can use your prior knowledge to help you create a batch file. If you're new to the command line or need a refresher, see our how to use the Windows command line (DOS) page.

Batch commands

Below is a listing of commands used in a batch file with additional information about each of the commands.

Tip

Like all commands, all batch file commands are not case sensitive. However, we listed the batch file commands in all caps to help with identification.

@

The at symbol does not echo back text after the symbol. The @ is most often used as @ECHO OFF to only show the output of the command.

%1

The percent followed by a numeric value, beginning with one, allows you to add matched variables to a batch file. The line below is an example of what can be used in a batch file.

With a batch file containing the above line if you type myname (name of bat file) and then your name, as shown below.

It would output 'Hello Bob' because 'Bob' is the first matched text.

Tip

You can keep going to %2, %3, etc. For example, you could use %2 for a middle name and %3 as the last name.

::

Two colons in front of any line are one of two ways of adding remarks into the batch file without displaying or executing that line when the batch file is run. Unlike REM, this line is not shown regardless if ECHO off is in the batch file.

:LABEL

By adding a colon in front of a word, such as LABEL, you create a category, more commonly known as a label. A label allows you to skip to certain sections of a batch file such as the end of the batch file. Also see GOTO.

CALL

Windows Batch File Syntax List

A call is used to run another batch file within a batch file. When the batch file that is called is completed, the remainder of the original batch file is completed. If the batch file does not exist, you get an error.

CHOICE and SET

See our how to use choice and set in a batch file page for an example of how you can create options in your batch file. Further information about each of these commands can also be found on the choice and set page.

CLS

Like the DOS command would clear your screen. We find it helpful to run the cls command at the top of your batch file to clear any previous commands or output and make any output from the batch file easier to find and read.

ECHO

Echo a message in the batch file. Such as ECHO Hello World prints Hello World on the screen when executed.

Note

Windows Bat File Commands

Without @ECHO OFF at the beginning of the batch file you'll also get 'ECHO Hello World' and 'Hello World.'

Tip

If you'd like to create a blank line, type ECHO. adding the period at the end creates an empty line.

EXIT

Exits out of the DOS window if the batch file is running from Windows. See the exit command page for further information on this command.

GOTO

Jumps to a label or section of a batch file. The goto can make it easy to jump back to the start or end of a batch file if a condition is met, or an error occurs. See our how to use choice and set in a batch file page for an example of how goto can be used.

IF

Used to check for a certain condition if the condition exists. If that condition exists, it performs that function. See the if command for further information on this command.

PAUSE

Prompt the user to press any key to continue.

REM

One of two ways of adding remarks into the batch file without displaying or executing that line when the batch file is run.

SHIFT

The shift command changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program. See the shift page for further information on this command.

START

Used to open Windows programs. For example, START C:WINDOWCALC would run the Windows Calculator. The start command can also be used to start any file Windows recognizes. For example, you could start a movie or audio file in a batch file to start your default player for that file.