Batch HowTos
On this page you'll find a shorthand list of common tasks in batch files, and the command(s) that can be used to perform those tasks.
Notes:
Many, if not most, of the commands listed here require Windows 2000 and later, some require Windows XP or later, some require Active Directory.Read more detailed information by following the links provided.

Depending on the Windows version, some commands (e.g. SETX and NETSVC) may require installation of a Resource Kit.

Task Available command(s) or variable(s)
Add/remove computer to/from domain NETDOM (1)
Counters FOR /L or SET /A counter += 1
Delays PING
Current date DATE /T or %Date% or DEBUG
Current directory -CD or %CD%
Current drive -%CD:~0,2%
Current time TIME /T or %Time% or DEBUG
Directory of current batch file -%~dp0
Drive of current batch file %~d0
Environment, permanent changes SETX (2)
Firewall configuration NETSH
Harddisk & volume management DISKPART, FDISK, FORMAT, CONVERT, MOUNTVOL, VOL, CHKDSK, CHKNTFS, DEFRAG
Hardware inventory WMIC
IP address (local) PING %ComputerName%, NSLOOKUP %ComputerName% or IPCONFIG /ALL IP address (remote)
PING, NSLOOKUP or WMIC
IP address (WAN) to file WGET -O output_filename -q http://www.whatismyip.com/automation/n09230945.asp (3)
IP address (WAN) to screen WGET -q -O- http://www.whatismyip.com/automation/n09230945.asp (3)
Logoff Multiple commands available
Open a file, folder or web page START
Permissions CACLS, XCACLS (2), MMC & SECEDIT, SUBINACL (3) or SETACL (3)
Popup dialogs -NET Send %ComputerName%
Print text -NOTEPAD /P
Print anything -ASSOC, FTYPE & REGEDIT or REG
Printer management -RUNDLL32 PRINTUI.DLL,PrintUIEntry
Process management-Multiple commands available
Prompt for user input-SET /P & more
Read text files -FOR /F or occasionaly < redirection
Reboot -Multiple commands available
Registry-REGEDIT or REG
Service management -NET Stop, NET Start, SC or NETSVC (2)
Shutdown -Multiple commands available
Unicode to ASCII conversion -TYPE
User/group management -NET, DSADD, DSGET, DSMOD, DSMOVE, DSQUERY & DSRM (1) or CSVDE & LDIFDE (1)
Write text files -Redirected ECHO

Notes:
(1)Requires Windows XP with Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack, or Windows Server 2003 or later.

(2)
Resource Kit tool

(3)
Third party tool