Is it possible to insert a timed pause into batch files?

Question

Is it possible to insert a timed pause in a DOS batch file?

It should act like the pause command, but instead of having to hit any key, it will continue on its own in X seconds.

But seriously, I want to exceute shudown -r after a bunch of scripts have finished executing, don't ask why, and don't ask why I am not using shutdown -r -t X, it doesn't work for our purpose. — ToastMan, Aug 09 '10 at 19:28

score 6 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 13 '10 at 00:06

Assuming you're not talking about DOS batch files but Windows batch files:

> timeout /?

TIMEOUT [/T] timeout [/NOBREAK]

Description:

This utility accepts a timeout parameter to wait for the specified time period (in seconds) or until any key is pressed. It also accepts a parameter to ignore the key press.

Parameter List:
/T        timeout       Specifies the number of seconds to wait.
                        Valid range is -1 to 99999 seconds.

/NOBREAK                Ignore key presses and wait specified time.

/?                      Displays this help message.
NOTE: A timeout value of −1 means to wait indefinitely for a key press.

Examples:
TIMEOUT /?
TIMEOUT /T 10
TIMEOUT /T 300 /NOBREAK
TIMEOUT /T -1

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 09 '10 at 19:45

The ugly, but traditional, solution that I've seen used when you don't want to install any non-stock software is to use PING. Such as:

@echo off
rem Sleep 5 seconds
ping -n 6 127.0.0.1>NUL

The 6 is necessary because the first request is returned almost immediately, counting for roughly "0" seconds, so you need to send x + 1 more requests to get the desired delay.

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 09 '10 at 19:19

1

If you mean "batch" files. There's no built-in command; but the Win2003 Resource Pack included a program that functions the same. More info here: http://malektips.com/xp_dos_0002.html

answered Aug 09 '10 at 19:19

Chris S

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If it is a batch file you can use the the choice command. To wait for 3 seconds a command like `choice /t 3 /D N > nul` would work. – Zoredache Aug 09 '10 at 19:23
the choice command is not recognized :( – ToastMan Aug 09 '10 at 19:26
You think the sleep program would work on XP if I imported it? – ToastMan Aug 09 '10 at 19:31
@ToastMan, yes that program will work on Win2k to Win7. – Chris S Aug 09 '10 at 19:43
The `choice.exe` seems to on every version of windows except XP. I think it was added as part of DOS 6.0 if I remeber right. You may be able to copy a choice.exe from a w2k box if you have one available. – Zoredache Aug 09 '10 at 19:49

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Feb 15 '12 at 21:31

0

Or, you could do it this way:

@echo off
rem Sleep 5 seconds
CALL :TIMEOUT 5
ECHO Do other stuff here

GOTO :END

:TIMEOUT
ping -n %~1 -w 1 127.0.0.1>nul
EXIT /B 0

:END
pause

answered Feb 15 '12 at 21:31

djangofan

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Is it possible to insert a timed pause into batch files?

4 Answers4