Member Avatar for Duki

Hey guys,

Could someone show me how to write a batch file to install software? I just need something very basic that, when run, will auto install the software.

I know it isn't that hard, but I don't know how. :(
thanks!

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Dani AI

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Short practical guide to make a .bat actually install software (grounded in the thread above). The usual failure causes are working-directory or path problems, missing quotes around paths with spaces, the installer spawning a separate process so the batch exits immediately, wrong “silent” switches for that installer, or lack of elevation. is right that a batch is just one command per line; and are also correct that switches differ by product. The OP’s note about an existing .ini is useful — most vendor wrappers accept a config-file switch, but the exact flag is installer-specific.

MSI example (reliable, standard switches; writes a log and checks result):

@echo off
set "LOG=%~dp0install.log"
msiexec /i "%~dp0MyProduct.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "%LOG%"
if %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 (
  echo Install failed: %ERRORLEVEL% >> "%LOG%"
) else (
  echo Install succeeded >> "%LOG%"
)

EXE wrapper example (shows waiting and passing a config file — the shown switches are illustrative; consult the installer’s docs for the exact syntax):

@echo off
set "EXE=%~dp0Setup.exe"
set "INI=%~dp0installer.ini"
start "" /wait "%EXE%" /S /INI="%INI%"
echo Setup returned %ERRORLEVEL% >> "%~dp0install.log"

Troubleshooting checklist: run the batch from a command prompt (not by double‑click) to see immediate errors; always quote paths and use %~dp0 to reference the batch folder; use start /wait when the launcher hands off to another process; check the installer’s documentation or run the installer with /? or /help to discover silent switches; ensure the script runs elevated on Vista/Windows 7+; inspect the verbose log (use MSI /l*v or vendor log switches). For multi-machine deployments, consider packaging tools or MSI repackaging so switches are consistent.

Recommended Answers

All 16 Replies

Member Avatar for DarkRubicant

Why not post this in the programmers forum? I know you know this as you've been around the site for awhile.

Member Avatar for Duki

well, considering it's more pertaining to DOS....

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

installing windows software with a .bat? you would need to find the actual setup switches to make it a silent install, and those are product specific

Member Avatar for Member #127113

Why not you use Autorun.inf (Setup Information) it will Auto Execute the Setup.exe.

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

but that way unattended or scripted setup will not work

Member Avatar for Member #127113

For more Configuration also can setup a .ini file for it.

Member Avatar for Duki

I have a .ini file setup that does a complete installation with no user intervention. I need a way to run the link through a script though.

Member Avatar for Agita

This random link might help

http://www.leeos.com/infdoc.html

I don't completely understand it myself, just in theory.

Hope it helps

Member Avatar for Member #127113

Also you can link .bat (MS-DOS Batch Script) through Autorun.inf File.

Member Avatar for Duki

I understand how to make the script autorun, but I need help writing it.
Thanks though

Member Avatar for Agita

yep, that really depends on the program. Just a double click silent install?

Member Avatar for Member #46692

Seriously, if you are using a big microsoft products i.e, office, outlook, autocad etc, just fire them off from the msi installers and call the relevant switches.

It really is that simple.

Member Avatar for jbennet

? you would need to find the actual setup switches to make it a silent install, and those are product specific

Not really. Most MSI packages use a standard set of switches (i wrote a bat file to install all MS hotfixes post SP2)

I understand how to make the script autorun, but I need help writing it.

Thanks though

you just write the DOS commands, one to a line (as if you were hitting enter. Thats it)

Member Avatar for Duki

I don't know which DOS commands to use though :( i r newb, i know.

Member Avatar for jbennet

c:/pathtoinstaller/setup.exe
c:/pathtoinstaller2/setup.exe

etc...

something like that

Member Avatar for Duki

I've done that, and saved it as a .bat file. Didn't work though.

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