start - Run Other Batch Files
The start command launches another program or batch file.
It is especially useful in batch files when you want to run something in a separate window asynchronously, wait for it to finish before moving on, or open a URL or an associated file.
Basic syntax of the start command
start <"title"> [/d <path>] [/i] [{/min | /max}] [{/low | /normal | /high | /realtime | /abovenormal | /belownormal}] [/wait] [/b] [command or program] [arguments]By default, start moves on to the next line without waiting for the launched process to finish.
start treats the first quoted string as the window title. When launching a program whose path
contains spaces, put an empty title first, as in start "" "C:\My Scripts\job.cmd".
Basic usage
Launch another batch file asynchronously
@echo off
echo Started caller.cmd.
start "" callee.cmd
echo Finished caller.cmd.@echo off
echo Started callee.cmd.
timeout /t 5 /nobreak > nul
echo Finished callee.cmd.
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callee.cmd runs in a separate window, so caller.cmd can finish without waiting.
With asynchronous execution, the order in which output appears may vary depending on the environment and timing. Do not assume a fixed order.
Run with arguments
start "" callee.cmd 1
start "" callee.cmd 2callee.cmd can receive the arguments as %1, %2, and so on.
@echo off
echo Started callee.cmd.
echo This is run number %1.
timeout /t 3 /nobreak > nul
echo Finished callee.cmd.Launch a program whose path contains spaces
start "" "C:\My Scripts\daily backup.cmd"This is where start trips people up most often. The first "" is the title, and the quoted string after it is the program to run.
Open a URL or an associated file
If you specify a URL or a document, it is opened with the associated application (for example, the default browser).
start "" https://example.com
start "" report.pdfCommonly used options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
/wait | Wait for the launched program to finish |
/b | Launch without creating a new window |
/min | Launch minimized |
/max | Launch maximized |
/d path | Set the working directory of the launched program |
/low /high, etc. | Set the priority of the process |
/wait - wait for completion before continuing
start "" /wait installer.exe /S
echo This line runs after the installation finishes./b - launch without opening a new window
start "" /b tool.exe --quietWith /b, no new command prompt window is opened. Non-GUI programs write their output to the same window as the caller.
If you only want to call another batch file in the same window and continue after it finishes,
call usually matches your intent better than start /wait.
Difference from the call command
| Command | Main use |
|---|---|
start | Asynchronous execution, launching a new window, opening URLs or associated files |
call | Call another batch file and continue in the same window after it finishes |