How to use the start command in a batch file?

Question

I have a batch file that starts an app with a lot of command-line parameters:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DevServer\11.0\WebDev.WebServer40.exe" /port:1672 /path:"C:\Code.Net\My App\Iteration 6\REL_6.8.806_PerfEnhanceV\Fusion\Code\CC.Fusion\CC.Fusion.Services" /vpath:"/FusionServices"

The problem is that when I run the batch file, the DOS window stays up until the command completes and I would like it to go away. So I tried using the start command, but placing it in front, like this:

start "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DevServer\11.0\WebDev.WebServer40.exe" /port:1672 /path:"C:\Code.Net\My App\Iteration 6\REL_6.8.806_PerfEnhanceV\Fusion\Code\CC.Fusion\CC.Fusion.Services" /vpath:"/FusionServices"

But I get an error stating that Invalid switch - "/port:1672"

I have also tried escaping the double quotes, but I was not successful.

How do I fix that?

How do you kick off the batch file? Do you invoke it from the Command Prompt? — jimbo, Jun 19 '13 at 21:22

score 58 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 20 '13 at 02:08

58

An extra pair of rabbits' ears should do the trick.

start "" "C:\Program...

START regards the first quoted parameter as the window-title, unless it's the only parameter - and any switches up until the executable name are regarded as START switches.

answered Jun 20 '13 at 02:08

Magoo

68,705
7
55
76

score 9 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:18

9

I think this other Stack Overflow answer would solve your problem: How do I run a bat file in the background from another bat file?

Basically, you use the /B and /C options:

START /B CMD /C CALL "foo.bat" [args [...]] >NUL 2>&1

edited May 23 '17 at 12:18

Community

1
1

answered Jun 19 '13 at 21:25

jimbo

10,459
5
26
45

1

That question is for calling other batch files asynchronously. Unfortunately it doesn't solve my specific problem. – AngryHacker Jun 19 '13 at 22:05

How to use the start command in a batch file?

2 Answers2

Linked