How can I run a program from a batch file without leaving the console open after the program starts?

Question

For the moment my batch file look like this:

myprogram.exe param1

The program starts but the DOS Window remains open. How can I close it?

Answer 1

Use the start command to prevent the batch file from waiting for the program. Just remember to put a empty double quote in front of the program you want to run after "Start". For example, if you want to run Visual Studio 2012 from a batch command:

Start ""  "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe"

notice the double quote after start.

Answer 2

You can use the exit keyword. Here is an example from one of my batch files:

start myProgram.exe param1
exit

Answer 3

Look at the START command, you can do this:

START rest-of-your-program-name

For instance, this batch-file will wait until notepad exits:

@echo off
notepad c:\test.txt

However, this won't:

@echo off
start notepad c:\test.txt

Answer 4

From my own question:

start /b myProgram.exe params...

works if you start the program from an existing DOS session.

If not, call a vb script

wscript.exe invis.vbs myProgram.exe %*

The Windows Script Host Run() method takes:

• intWindowStyle : 0 means "invisible windows"
• bWaitOnReturn : false means your first script does not need to wait for your second script to finish

Here is invis.vbs:

set args = WScript.Arguments
num = args.Count

if num = 0 then
    WScript.Echo "Usage: [CScript | WScript] invis.vbs aScript.bat <some script arguments>"
    WScript.Quit 1
end if

sargs = ""
if num > 1 then
    sargs = " "
    for k = 1 to num - 1
        anArg = args.Item(k)
        sargs = sargs & anArg & " "
    next
end if

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

WshShell.Run """" & WScript.Arguments(0) & """" & sargs, 0, False

Answer 5

This is the only thing that worked for me when I tried to run a java class from a batch file:

start "cmdWindowTitle" /B "javaw" -cp . testprojectpak.MainForm

You can customize the start command as you want for your project, by following the proper syntax:

Syntax
      START "title" [/Dpath] [options] "command" [parameters]

Key:
   title      : Text for the CMD window title bar (required)
   path       : Starting directory
   command    : The command, batch file or executable program to run
   parameters : The parameters passed to the command

Options:
   /MIN       : Minimized
   /MAX       : Maximized
   /WAIT      : Start application and wait for it to terminate
   /LOW       : Use IDLE priority class
   /NORMAL    : Use NORMAL priority class
   /HIGH      : Use HIGH priority class
   /REALTIME  : Use REALTIME priority class

   /B         : Start application without creating a new window. In this case
                ^C will be ignored - leaving ^Break as the only way to 
                interrupt the application
   /I         : Ignore any changes to the current environment.

   Options for 16-bit WINDOWS programs only

   /SEPARATE   Start in separate memory space (more robust)
   /SHARED     Start in shared memory space (default)

Answer 6

You should try this. It starts the program with no window. It actually flashes up for a second but goes away fairly quickly.

start "name" /B myprogram.exe param1

Answer 7

How to solve "space problem" and local dependencies:

@echo off
cd "C:\Program Files\HeidiSQL"
start heidisql.exe

cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application"
start chrome.exe

exit

Answer 8

Loads of answers for this question already, however I am posting this to highlight something important:

Start "C:\Program Files\someprog.exe"

The above might cause issues in some windows versions as Start actually expects the first set of quotation marks to be a windows title. So it is best practice to first double quote a comment, or a blank comment:

Start "" "C:\Program Files\someprog.exe"

or

Start "Window Title" "C:\Program Files\someprog.exe"

Answer 9

My solution to do this from the GUI:

1. Create a shortcut to the program you want to run;

2. Edit the shortcut's properties;

3. Change the TARGET field to %COMSPEC% /C "START "" "PROGRAMNAME"";

4. Change the RUN field to minimized.

Ready! See how you like it...

PS: Program parameters can be inserted in between the two final quotation marks; the PROGRAMNAME string can be either a filename, a relative or an absolute path -- if you put in an absolute path and erase the drive letter and semicolon, then this will work in a thumbdrive no matter what letter the host computer assigns to it... (also, if you place the shortcut in the same folder and precede the program filename in PROGRAMNAME with the %CD% variable, paths will always match; same trick can be used in START IN field).

Answer 10

If this batch file is something you want to run as scheduled or always; you can use windows schedule tool and it doesn't opens up in a window when it starts the batch file.

To open Task Scheduler:

• Start -> Run/Search -> 'cmd'
• Type taskschd.msc -> enter

From the right side, click Create Basic Task and follow the menus.

Hope this helps.

Answer 11

Here is my preferred solution. It is taken from an answer to a similar question.

Use a VBS Script to call the batch file:

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run chr(34) & "C:\path\to\your\batchfile.bat" & Chr(34), 0
Set WshShell = Nothing

Copy the lines above to an editor and save the file with .VBS extension.