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How to Create and

View Batch Files
(BAT) on Windows 11
By Aman Kumar Published August 4, 2023

While Windows makes it easy to install and remove

programs, some of them require complex steps to be
under taken in PowerShell or Command Prompt.
Whether you enjoy using the Command Prompt or
not, a compilation of commands can automate tasks
and make your work easy. With that, you can boost
your productivity.

DID YOU KNOW

The world’s first color photo
was made in 1861 by the
three-color method.
If you need to perform a repetitive task on your
computer, you can create a batch file for it. But what
precisely is a batch file? We will see what a batch
file is and when you should use it. We will also
explain how to create and view batch files (BAT) on
Windows 11. So, let’s begin.
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WHAT IS A BATCH FILE?

A batch file is an automated script containing a
sequence of commands executed in serial order and
these commands don’t require user input, unless
specified. Any file with a .BAT extension on your
The Complete Guide to Setting
computer is typically a batch file. Up Parental Controls In
Windows
A batch file is written using a simple scripting
language that contains commands, loops,
conditionals, and other structures. You can make a
.BAT file using Notepad or any other text editor.

How to Get Rid Of Widgets on

Windows 11

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The batch files are beneficial for repetitive tasks such
as opening programs and executing operations like JOIN THE NEWSLETTER
copying or deleting files. However, there are many
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You can use a batch file to change your computer Your email address
settings. For instance, you can execute a batch file
to sideload tools at once, that don’t come pre-
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installed on Windows.

A batch file can help you create a specific

environment required for developing a software
project.

You can write a batch file to instruct the computer

about the order and dependencies of commands.
This ensures that all the commands are executed
correctly with no or least intervention.

You can use a batch file to create backup and

transfer data between directories. For instance,
you can create and run a batch file to copy files
from one location to another.

A batch file can be used along with the Windows

Task Scheduler to automate tasks at a particular
time.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN

RUNNING A BATCH FILE ×
There are various aspects you must consider when
running a batch file. Neglecting them can make your
system unstable and cause different error codes.

You’ll need to sure that you run the batch file from
the correct directory. An incorrect file path or
directory can lead to unexpected computer
behavior or errors.

A batch file is executed line by line, meaning any

typo or missing command can render the entire
script useless. So, make sure all the BAT file
commands are in correct order.

When it comes to making system changes, a batch

file requires administrative permissions. So, ensure
you have admin rights on the computer.

As a batch file can modify system settings, so

you’ll need to handle them properly and protect
them from getting into the hands of any malicious
agents.

Unlike other Windows applications, a batch file

doesn’t have an error reporting mechanism. If a
batch file fails to execute, you will have to go
through all the commands in it one by one to spot
the error.

Now that you know a bit about batch files, let’s check
out how to create a view batch file (.BAT) on
Windows 11.
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HOW TO CREATE A BATCH SCRIPT
FILE (.BAT) ON WINDOWS 11
It’s very easy to make a BAT file on Windows 11.
You can take help of the Notepad or any text editor
on your Windows computer. Here’s a step-by-step
instruction on how it’s done:

Step 1: Press the Windows key to open the Start

Menu.

Step 2: Type Notepad in the search bar and press

Enter.

Step 3: Type @echo off and press Enter to move to

the next line. This command disables the display for
the entire script – that means you don’t see the script
while it runs.

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Step 4: Type title and then write the title of your
batch file. Then, press Enter.

Step 5: Type echo and type the text you want to

display on the output screen. After that, press Enter.

Step 6: Type pause and press Enter. This indicates

the end of the batch file. It also keeps the Command
Prompt window open, which otherwise would have
been closed once the command is successfully
executed.
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Step 7: Click the File option at the top left corner and
choose Save as from the context menu.

Step 8: Give a proper name to the batch file and

save it with BAT extension—for instance, hello.bat.

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To run the batch file, head toward the batch file
location and double-click on it. A Command Prompt
window will crop up, showing the output of the
batch file.

The above was a simple example of a batch file.

Similarly, you can create and run a batch file to
perform more complex operations like fixing
gpedit.msc missing error.

HOW TO VIEW A BATCH SCRIPT

FILE (.BAT) ON WINDOWS 11
There may be situations when you want to view the
content of the batch file. It may be because you are
×
suspicious about the file or want to edit its content.
Fortunately, various ways to view a batch file on
Windows 11 exist. Of course, you can open any
batch file using the Notepad app. But viewing a long
list of commands can be tedious and leaving a typo
in there can ruin the batch file. Let’s check out the
most convenient ways to preview a .BAT file.

1. Using File Explorer

The quickest way to view a batch file’s content is

through the Windows File Explorer preview option.
Here’s how to enable this option and view a batch
file using it:

Step 1: Press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to

open the File Explorer.

Step 2: Click the View button at the top and choose

the Preview pane.

Step 3: Head to the batch file location.

Step 4: Click on the batch file to view its content in

the preview pane.

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2. Using Command-Line Tools

Command-line tools like Command Prompt and

Windows PowerShell display the output of a batch
file and its content. Here’s how to use Command
Prompt to view a batch file:

Step 1: Right-click on the batch file and choose the

‘Copy as path’ option from the context menu.

Step 2: Open the Start Menu, type Command

Prompt in the search bar, and choose ‘Run as
administrator’ from the right pane.

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Step 3: Type more followed by the copied path and
press Enter. So, the command will look like this:

more “copied path”

You’ll see the batch file content in the result.

×
To view a batch file using PowerShell, follow these
steps:

Step 1: Copy the path of the batch file using the

steps mentioned above.

Step 2: Launch the Start Menu, type Windows

PowerShell, and choose the ‘Run as administrator’
option.

Step 3: Type get-content followed by the copied

path and then press Enter. So, the command will ×
look this:
get-content “copied path”

PowerShell will show the content of the batch file in

the result.

3. Using Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a great tool that helps power

users to enhance their productivity. You can also use
this tool to view the content of a batch file. Here’s
how:

Step 1: Launch the Start Menu, type PowerToys in

the search bar, and press Enter.

×
Step 2: Choose Peek from the left sidebar and turn
on the Enable Peek toggle.

Step 3: Click the Pen icon next to the Activation

shortcut option.

×
Step 4: Assign a shortcut key combination to trigger
the peek feature. Make sure the shortcut starts with
Windows, Alt, or Shift key. Then, click Save.

Step 5: Head towards the location of the batch file.

Step 6: Click on the batch file and press the peek

feature key combination.

4. Using a Browser

You can use your favorite browser to view the

content of a batch file. Below are the steps to view
batch files using Google Chrome. The steps will be
similar for any other browser.

Step 1: Navigate towards the batch file location,

right-click on it, and choose the ‘Copy as path’ option.

×
Step 2: Open the Start Menu, type Google Chrome
and press Enter.

Step 3: Paste the copied address in the address bar

and delete the double quotes from it. Then, press
Enter.

×
Google Chrome will display the batch file content.

EVERYTHING ABOUT BATCH

FILES

Whether you want to perform a repetitive task or

automate a process, you can use a batch file.
However, what if you want to ensure the safety of
the file before executing it? You can do that by
viewing the content of the batch file using the above
methods.

Last updated on 10 July, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support
Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The
content remains unbiased and authentic.

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WRITTEN BY

Aman
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Kumar
Aman is a Windows
specialist and loves writing
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about the Windows
ecosystem on Guiding Tech
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and MakeUseOf. He has a
Bachelor's in Information
 Technology and is now a full-
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time freelance writer with
expertise in Windows, iOS,
and browsers.

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