Edit a batch file from within Windows Batch files are plain-text files , which means they can be edited as a text file by right-cli...
Edit a batch file from within Windows
Batch files are plain-text files
, which means they can be edited as a text file by right-clicking on the file and clicking Edit as shown in the picture.
Once you've clicked edit, your default text editor opens the file and allows it to be modified.
You can also open any text editor or word processor and from within that program open the batch file.
After making all changes save and exit the file. If you are asked how to save the file, make sure it is saved with a .bat file extension.
Tip: See our what commands are available in a batch file page for commands that can be added to a batch file.
Edit a bat file in a Command Prompt (DOS)
To edit a batch file in MS-DOS, follow the steps below.
Note: New versions of Windows or computers running a 64-bit version of Windows no longer support the edit command, which means these steps no longer work. Use the above steps if you are running the latest version of Windows.
Open an MS-DOS command window or load MS-DOS.
In the MS-DOS prompt, type: edit test.bat and press enter.
If typed correctly, you should now see a blue edit screen. Within the screen, type:
@echo off
echo Hello this a test batch file
pause
dir c:\windows
pause
After entering these lines, click File and choose exit; when prompted to save, click Yes. Users who do not have a mouse can accomplish this same task by pressing Alt+F to access the file menu, and then X to exit. Press Enter to save changes.
Once you are back at the MS-DOS prompt, type: test and press Enter to execute the test.bat file.
Tip: If you want to add more lines to this batch file, type edit test.bat to open the file for editing.
Additional information about the MS-DOS edit command is in our edit command page. Some versions of MS-DOS and bootable diskettes may not have the edit command. If this the case, you would either need to obtain the edit.com file or use the copy con command.
Tip: See our what commands are available in a batch file page for commands that can be added to a batch file.
