Java: Execute /cmd /c start path-with-spaces\program.exe

Question

I've read a lot about the question but the answers I have found don't work completely.

I try to run this code :

String[] args = {"cmd","/c","start","C:\\Program Files\\XML Marker\\xmlmarker.exe"};
Runtime rt = Runtime.getRuntime();
ProcessBuilder pb = new ProcessBuilder(args);
Process pr = pb.start();      
//Process pr = rt.exec(args);

As I have spaces in my path, I use String array to pass the arguments to the Process But ... it opens a DOS command window but doesn't launch my program, as if the parameters where ignored

I tried with rt.exec(args) and pb.start() ... same result

Could someone give me some advice please ? Thank you.

actually you need to put an empty title: `start,"","Path\\To\\file"` — Sebastian, Feb 02 '12 at 14:11

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 30 '11 at 19:06

5

Try adding quotes around the path by inserting escaped quotes in your string, as follows:

String[] args = {"cmd","/c","start","\"C:\\Program Files\\XML Marker\\xmlmarker.exe\""};

Notice the \" at the start and end of the path string.

answered Aug 30 '11 at 19:06

Mansoor Siddiqui

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score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 30 '11 at 19:10

4

No need to have a "start" and "cmd" at the same time. You can safely take out "start". If you use a parameter enclosed in quotes with the "start" command, it treats it as a Title for a new command window.

answered Aug 30 '11 at 19:10

Arun

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Thanks Arun, I removed the start argument and it works perfectly ! – Hugues Sep 15 '11 at 16:17

Java: Execute /cmd /c start path-with-spaces\program.exe

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