Hidden features of Windows batch files

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What are some of the lesser know, but important and useful features of Windows batch files?

Guidelines:

  • One feature per answer
  • Give both a short description of the feature and an example, not just a link to documentation
  • Limit answers to native funtionality, i.e., does not require additional software, like the Windows Resource Kit

Clarification: We refer here to scripts that are processed by cmd.exe, which is the default on WinNT variants.

(See also: Windows batch files: .bat vs .cmd?)

91 Answers
91

Line continuation:

call C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntbackup.exe ^
    backup ^
    /V:yes ^
    /R:no ^
    /RS:no ^
    /HC:off ^
    /M normal ^
    /L:s ^
    @daily.bks ^
    /F daily.bkf

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