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How to Open Several Programs by One Click

Trick is to create a simple MS-DOS Batch file. Explore the rest of this article for more information on how you can do it step by step.

  1. 1
    Open Notepad ("Start" menu > "Run" > type notepad > press Enter).

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 1.jpg
  2. 2
    Click on "File" > "Save As...", and name the file with a batch file extension (ie: "startmyprg.bat"). Save the file somewhere easily accessible such as your desktop. The .bat extension is a must in the name.

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 2.jpg
  3. 3
    Type in the first line of the newly created file: @echo off

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 3.jpg
  4. 4
    Following lines should begin with "start", and contain a name of the executable file (.exe or .com) you want to include. For example: To run calculator, from your Windows "Start" menu, go to "Accessories", right click on calculator and select properties. Copy the shortcut path by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl-C. It should be similar to %SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 4.jpg
  5. 5
    Find all the programs you want to include. In this example, calculator and paintbrush are added, batch file will look like:

    @echo off
    start %SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe
    start %SystemRoot%\system32\mspaint.exe

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 5.jpg
  6. 6
    Click on the "File" menu and select "Save" and close the file, your job is done.

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 6.jpg
  7. 7
    Go to the folder where you saved the file (the desktop in this example) and launch your newly created file (startmyprg.bat in this example) and enjoy.

    Open Several Programs by One Click Step 7.jpg


Tips

  • Use "start /max" instead of just "start" in batch file, for opening the applications in full window.
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  • Windows systems may be configured to run programs with either a single or double-click.
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Warnings

  • Works in Windows operating system only.
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  • N.B. The path to the programs must be in old DOS style (unbelievable but true) i.e. c:\progra~1\... instead of c:\program files\...
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Article Info

Categories:
Hacks

Edited by Rojo Don Poho, Cipher_nemo, Kals, Chris Hadley and 7 others

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