I'm trying to programmatically execute an external file from cmd using this command:
START "filepath"
Where "filepath" is the path of my file. It opens fine but it also open a new command prompt window.
So, which is the right command for opening an external program without opening a new window?
In Windows 7+ the first quotations will be the title to the cmd window to open the program:
start "title" "C:\path\program.exe"
Formatting your command like the above will temporarily open a cmd window that goes away as fast as it comes up so you really never see it. It also allows you to open more than one program without waiting for the first one to close first.
Add /B, as documented in the command-line help for start:
C:\>start /?
Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.
START ["title"] [/D path] [/I] [/MIN] [/MAX] [/SEPARATE | /SHARED]
[/LOW | /NORMAL | /HIGH | /REALTIME | /ABOVENORMAL | /BELOWNORMAL]
[/NODE <NUMA node>] [/AFFINITY <hex affinity mask>] [/WAIT] [/B]
[command/program] [parameters]
"title" Title to display in window title bar.
path Starting directory.
B Start application without creating a new window. The
application has ^C handling ignored. Unless the application
enables ^C processing, ^Break is the only way to interrupt
the application.
I think if you closed a program
taskkill /f /im "winamp.exe"
//....(winamp.exe is example)...
end, so if you want to start a program that you can use
start "" /normal winamp.exe
(/norma,/max/min are that process value cpu)
ALSO
start "filepath"
if you want command line without openning an new window you write that
start /b "filepath"
/B is Start application without creating a new window. The application has ^C handling ignored. Unless the application enables ^C processing, ^Break is the only way to interrupt the application.
Just remove the double quote, this works in Windows 7:
start C:\ProgramFiles\folderName\app.exe
If you want to maximize the window, try this:
start /MAX C:\ProgramFiles\folderName\app.exe
Your command START "filepath" will start a command prompt and change the command prompt title to filepath.
Try to run start /? in windows command prompt and you will get more info.
If you're doing it via CMD as you say, then you can just enter the command like so:
path\to\your.exe
which will open it within the same window. For example in C++:
system("path\\to\\your.exe"); // Double backslash for escaping
will open your.exe in the current CMD window. Likewise to start with a new window, just go for:
system("start path\\to\\your.exe");
If you go for the first option, you would have to clear your screen unless you wanted to have the command to open your.exe on the screen still.
You can use the call command...
Type: call /?
Usage: call [drive:][path]filename [batch-parameters]
For example call "Example File/Input File/My Program.bat" [This is also capable with calling files that have a .exe, .cmd, .txt, etc.
NOTE: THIS COMMAND DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK!!!
Not all computers are capable to run this command, but if it does work than it is very useful, and you won't have to open a brand new window...
I got it working from qkzhu but instead of using MAX change it to MIN and window will close super fast.
@echo off
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.6\bin"
:: Title not needed:
start /MIN mysqld.exe
exit
20190907
OS: Win 10
I'm making an exe in c++, for some reason usting START make my program fail.
So, just use quotes:
"c:\folder\program.exe"
It's easier and safer to use the explorer.exe to start files/executeables, it is also opening files with the associated program and runs executables directly, if you execute:
start "" "%windir%\explorer.exe" "C:\Path\To\some.pdf"
If *.PDF files are not associated with any program. This works similar to a double-click and triggers the "open with program" dialog.
start "" "%windir%\explorer.exe" "%windir%\system32\calc.exe"
Will bring up the calculator.
start "" "%windir%\explorer.exe" "C:\pagefile.sys"
Will bring up a warning like: You are trying to open a system file (*.sys)... choose a programm...
explorer.exe always requires the full path to the executable/file, not the relative path. If you want to use relative paths, use
start "" "%windir%\explorer.exe" "relative\file.pdf","C:\dir\"
Using start "" "some\file.dat" will try to execute the file as binary file and start it, if possible. This can end in security related issues.
You can test it by creating a copy of cmd.exe calling it dummy.dat and start it using start dummy.dat
1-Open you folder that contains your application in the File Explorer. 2-Press SHIFT and Right Click in White Space. 3-Click on "Open command window here". 4-Run your application. (you can type some of the first characters of application name and press Up Arrow Key OR Down Arrow Key)
