Open multiple programs at once

Step-by-step

Trick is to create a simple MS-DOS Batch file. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

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

2. Click on “File” > “Save As…”, and name the file with a batch file extension (ie: “myUtility.bat”). Save the file somewhere easily accessible such as your desktop. The .bat extension is a must in the name.

3. Type in the first line of the newly created file: @echo off

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 Crtl-C. It should be similar to %SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe

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/max %SystemRoot%\system32\mspaint.exe
start/min excel

6. Click on the “File” menu and select “Save” and close the file, your job is done.

7. Go to the folder where you saved the file (the desktop in this example) and launch your newly created file (myUtility.bat in this example) and enjoy.

Desktop before running the bat file

After running the batch file

• Windows systems may be configured to run programs with either a single or double-click.

• Use “start /max” instead of just “start” in batch file, for opening the applications in full window.

• Use “start /min” instead of just “start” in batch file, for opening the applications in minimized window

Warnings

• Works in Windows operating system.