Simple batch files *.bat files

(Yes, this is old, but it reference for those that still have old systems).

This very useful command can be used to schedule all sorts of things from Defragging drives, to performing backups, stopping services on servers, etc.

One way is to create a batch file (*.bat) which does the relevant job. (There are more powerful tools built in to server to do this, but are far more complex to use than this simple task).To do this, you need to do the commands as in DOS. Those exact commands are typed (or copied and pasted) into your batch file.

So, for example, you have a folder on H Drive called "Retrospect Catalog" which you need to copy onto your C Drive every day (as your C Drive automatically gets backed up, whereas H Drive does not). These copied files need to be placed in a folder called "retrocpy" on C Drive, which you have already manually created. This is how it is done under DOS, the copy /V/Y commands are to verify the copy (/V) and to overwrite existing files without asking (/Y).

The batch file is made of the exact same commands:

h:

cd\retros~1

copy *.* c:\retrocpy /V/Y

Open Notepad (Start Menu/ Programs/ Accessories/Notepad) which is a simple text editor. Type these same commands into Notepad and save them. However, DO NOT save them a a text file (*.txt). Instead on the bottom, where it says "type", click on there and choose "All Files *.*"

Then in the space above type the name of the script and end it with .bat, so in this case "copyret.bat"

Click here to download the above example

So any commands you need to do (even on a remote computer) can all be saved in a single batch file and run as one job. In my case I saved it on the desktop and double click it every time it needs to be run.

But, it can be automated via the AT command to run at a specific time, or on specific days. Click here.

Example 1:

When shutting down a Windows 2000 Advanced Server,running as Web Server only run this batch file first, then go to the Start Menu and Shutdown. You will find on   bigger servers it can cut the shutdown time by 15 minutes. It doesn't include any Exchange services stopping, which you need to add if you are running Exchange on the same server (by doing so you will save another 15-20 minutes if you are running both on the same server.)

NET STOP Alerter

NET STOP Automatic Updates

NET STOP AutoTask

NET STOP Background Intelligent Transfer Service

NET STOP "Com+ Evenet System"

NET STOP Computer Browser

NET STOP DHCP Client

NET STOP Distributed File System

NET STOP Distributed Link Tracking Client

NET STOP Distributed Transaction Coordinator

NET STOP DNS Client

NET STOP File Server for Macintosh

NET STOP FTP Publishing Service

NET STOP IIS Admin Service

NET STOP Indexing Service

NET STOP Internet Authentication Service

NET STOP Licence Logging Service

NET STOP Logical Disk Manager

NET STOP Machine Debug Manager

NET STOP Messenger

NET STOP Net Logon

NET STOP Network Connections

NET STOP "Network News Transport Protocol(NNTP)"

NET STOP pcAnuwhere Host Service

NET STOP Persits Software EMail Agent

NET STOP Plug and Play

NET STOP Print Server for Macintosh

NET STOP Print Spooler

NET STOP Protected Storage

NET STOP Remote Access Connection Manager

NET STOP "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)"

NET STOP "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator"

NET STOP Remote Registry Service

NET STOP Removable Storage

NET STOP Routing and Remote Access

NET STOP RunAs Service

NET STOP Security Accounts Manager

NET STOP Server

NET STOP "Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP)"

NET STOP "Simple TCP/IP Service"

NET STOP Site Server ILS Service

NET STOP SNMP Service

NET STOP Task Scheduler

NET STOP System Event Notification

NET STOP Task Scheduler

NET STOP "TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service"

NET STOP "TCP/IP Print Server"

NET STOP Telephony

NET STOP Telnet

NET STOP Terminal Services

NET STOP Terminal Services Licensing

NET STOP Windows Management Instrumentation

NET STOP Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

NET STOP Windows Time

NET STOP World Wide Web Publishing Service

Click here to download the above example

Example 2.

To start the same services up, put the above example into word and change "STOP" to "START" for all occurrences, and then put it into a batch file. You will be able to start all the services with double clicking a single file....

Click here to download Example 2

Example 3

You want all local machines to be set to the same time as the server fileserver, create a batch file with this entry:

NET TIME \\FILESERVER /SET /Y

and each computer it is run on will synchronise with FILESERVER.

Use the AT command to set it each night, and this will ensure your logs remain accurate across machines.

Example 4

Simple backup using NT Backup.exe on a tape storage device and to eject the tape at the end

The batch file contains:

ntbackup backup c: /t normal /b /l"c:\backup.log"

ntbackup eject

and backs up drive c to the tape drive, putting a log file of c:\backup.log in text format.

NOTE

that on Windows 2000/2003, this task is much easier to accomplish using the Scheduler.