.BAT File Extension
DOS Batch File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
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What is a BAT file?
A BAT file is a DOS batch file used to execute commands with the Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe). It contains a series of line commands in plain text that are executed to perform various tasks, such as starting programs or running maintenance utilities within Windows.
More Information
BAT files are typically only used by computer-savvy DOS or Windows users looking to make repetitive tasks easier to complete. Users can manually create BAT files with a text editor, such as Notepad or Wordpad, and add multiple commands on separate lines that can be executed by the command-line interpreter. When saving a batch file, save it with a .bat extension or save it as a .TXT file then rename the .txt file extension as .bat.
Common BAT Filenames
AUTOEXEC.BAT - The batch file run by DOS and older versions of Windows (95, 98, and Me) upon startup. It is located in the root directory of the boot drive.
Warning
BAT files may be used to distribute and execute malware attacks on victims' computers. To protect against malicious attacks, never double-click an unknown BAT file. If you want to inspect the commands stored in a BAT file, open it with a text editor.