How to Start a Program from a Command Prompt in Windows
How to Start a Program From a Command Prompt in Windows
Article ID: 126410 - View products that this article applies to.
System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows 7 Solution Center
This article was previously published under Q126410
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SUMMARY
In Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows Me, you can start a Windows-based or MS-DOS-based program from the command prompt in an MS-DOS window. To do so, type the program's executable filename, or use the START command at the MS-DOS command prompt.
For example, to start ScanDisk for Windows, type "scandskw" (without quotation marks) or "start scandskw" (without quotation marks) at the MS- DOS command prompt.
NOTE: You may use Start.exe to activate a shortcut as well as a program. For example, this may be useful when running an MS-DOS-based program from within a batch file that has specific requirements configurable in the shortcut's properties.
MORE INFORMATION
If you type only the programs's executable filename, Windows 95/98 or Windows Me searches the current folder, and then the folders on the path statement for the executable file. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message: bad command or filename
If you use the START command, Windows 95/98 Windows Me searches the current folder, the folders on the path statement, and the registry. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message:
Cannot find file '' (or one of its components). Check to ensure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.
The START command is used at an MS-DOS prompt to start an MS-DOS-based or Windows-based program. The program is started as a separate task that can be run in the foreground or background. You can use the START command if you want to keep your current MS-DOS settings, while you run another MS- DOS-based
Article ID: 126410 - View products that this article applies to.
System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows 7 Solution Center
This article was previously published under Q126410
Expand all | Collapse all
SUMMARY
In Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows Me, you can start a Windows-based or MS-DOS-based program from the command prompt in an MS-DOS window. To do so, type the program's executable filename, or use the START command at the MS-DOS command prompt.
For example, to start ScanDisk for Windows, type "scandskw" (without quotation marks) or "start scandskw" (without quotation marks) at the MS- DOS command prompt.
NOTE: You may use Start.exe to activate a shortcut as well as a program. For example, this may be useful when running an MS-DOS-based program from within a batch file that has specific requirements configurable in the shortcut's properties.
MORE INFORMATION
If you type only the programs's executable filename, Windows 95/98 or Windows Me searches the current folder, and then the folders on the path statement for the executable file. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message: bad command or filename
If you use the START command, Windows 95/98 Windows Me searches the current folder, the folders on the path statement, and the registry. If the file is not found, you receive the following error message:
Cannot find file '' (or one of its components). Check to ensure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.
The START command is used at an MS-DOS prompt to start an MS-DOS-based or Windows-based program. The program is started as a separate task that can be run in the foreground or background. You can use the START command if you want to keep your current MS-DOS settings, while you run another MS- DOS-based