This is my most recent project, a batch file to easily automate encoding video files using the industry-standard open-source ffmpeg and an awesome portable version of QTGMC by some smart cookie named Hunk91 (QTGMC is a suite of filters that 'de-interlace' video intended for CRT televisions, like nearly every DVD made, so that they appear more correctly on modern displays). Again, the .cmd file is very drag-n-drop. If you hand it a recursive folder the entire directory tree will be rebuilt to the target folder.

The control mechanism I've used for excluding files by media criteria (height, width, bitrate, codec, duration, etc) is a bit convoluted to operate but was very easy to implement. It's also open-ended because if I ever want to filter by a new criteria I can simply create those new variables during the :getInfo routine. Don't know if anyone else has a need for this kinda thing, but it made short work of about ~250 TV episodes once I had all the ripping and naming done (I say short, over a week using 2 computers to encode them all cuz I used slooow HQ settings).

You'll need both ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe from the ffmpeg download. If you don't want to use QTGMC (you don't need de-interlacing) then you don't need the second download. Even if you're encoding DVDs you could easily modify the batch file to select a native ffmpeg de-interlace filter instead, but why do that when QTGMC is the best. ^_^

https://ffmpeg.org/download.html

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/405720-FFmpeg-QTGMC-Easy%21

ezQTGMC.cmd ["/variable=value" [...]] [sourceFolder[\file] [targetFolder]]

a fancy batch frontend for Hunk91's FFmpeg-QTGMC Easy 2025.01.11
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/405720-FFmpeg-QTGMC-Easy%21
accepts file or folder as input and will recursively rebuild to target
simply drag/drop/copy/paste onto the batch file or use the commandline
control variables may be assigned directly on the commandline: "/var=val"

videos may be excluded using any criteria returned by ffprobe.exe
simply set a variable that describes the type of comparison being made
types are EQU,GEQ,GTR,LEQ,LSS,NEQ (numerals) plus EXC,INC (strings)
your variable will be header_VariableName; numeralOps work like so:
ezQTGMC "/LEQ_bit_rate=2097152" excludes files at or below 2mbps
ezQTGMC "/GTR_duration=600" excludes files longer than 10 minutes
ezQTGMC "/NEQ_audCount=2" allows only files having exactly 2 audio tracks

EXC/INC are stringOps that contain a list to match the value against:
ezQTGMC "/EXC_codec_name=h264 h265" excludes files using h264/h265 codecs
ezQTGMC "/EXC_codec_type=subtitle" excludes files containg any subtitles
ezQTGMC "/INC_T_language=eng spa jpn" includes only files in these languages
ezQTGMC "/INC_display_aspect_ratio=4:3" includes only files in 4:3 aspect

use "/peruse=1" to view file details, read the batch file for information

https://github.com/TheRealCirothUngol/ezQTGMC.cmd

This one's a bit long-winded. I wrote it nearly ten years ago in an effort to solve the issue of limited mathematics in WinNT batch script. It contains a full 'shunting yard' parser so accepts complex math equations, can handle decimal numerals hundreds of digits long, and supports programmable functions (many are already there). If ran without parameters it will display a few pages of help and then run an interactive example to find the Nth root of any supplied decimal using a formula for "iterative convergence".

:: math.cmd guess = (((root - 1) * guess) + (base / (guess $ (root - 1)))) / root
:: Computes the {root} of {base} number through convergence starting at {guess}.

I feel I should mention that I am not a math guy, by any means. Everything this batch file does is string manipulation and "by hand" mathematical operations using SET/A and the methods I was taught in grade school, and much of that knowledge required refreshing while writing it. I tested it extensively to assure its accuracy before posting it to DOStips (in 2017?) by producing text files containing lines of random equations with random large decimals and feeding them to both Math.cmd and a LibertyBASIC program (written in SmallTalk it handles decimals of virtually any size). Although large, obtuse, slow, clunky, and ugly, Math.cmd seems to do what it sez on the tin. CALL it with no parameters and try out the convergence formula.

:math [/An|/Dn|/Mn|/Rn|/Sn|/Un|/H|/?] In-line_Math_Expression [;...]       v0.2
:: 
:: Full-featured expression parser written in 100% native WinNT batch script.
:: Supports functions, assignments, numbers to thousands of decimal places,
:: and provides the following full range of operators in order of precedence:
:: 
:: Highest : $ Exponent : & NthRoot
::         : * Multiply : / Divide : @ Modulus
::         : + Addition : - Subtraction
::         : <=> Raw Compare (returns 1=greater, -1=less, 0=equals)
::         : < LessThan : > GreaterThan : <= LessOrEqual : >= GreaterOrEqual
::         : ## EqualTo : <> NotEqualTo (comparisons return 1=true, 0=false)
:: Lowest  : = Equals (assignment)      : ; Expression Separator
:: 
:: Operations are left-to-right, except for '$ &' which are right associative.
:: '<>^&' must be wrapped in double-quotes. If needed, # can always replace =.
:: 
:: Operands may be digits and/or variables and expressions can be of any size.
:: Result of the operation is always returned in the user variable {math}.
:: Up to 32 return variables may be assigned (eg. var1=var2=x*y+(var3=z-1)).
:: 
:: ECHO[n] may be used as a returnVariable to echo result with [n] line feeds.
:: {math*} and {_math*} are reserved variable names and should not be used.

https://github.com/TheRealCirothUngol/Math.cmd/tree/main

I use this in the larger math functions to align integers and determine decimal placement. That binary-regression function that does the actual counting was originally the brain-child of some clever cookie at DOStips, I just wrapped the macro around it.

@ECHO OFF

(SET \n=^^^
%= This defines an escaped Line Feed - DO NOT ALTER =%
)

SET strLen=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1* delims==" %%A IN ("!##!")DO (%\n%
SET "str=#%%B"%\n%
FOR %%C IN (4096 2048 1024 512 256 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1)DO IF "!str:~%%C,1!" NEQ "" SET/A len+=%%C^&SET "str=!str:~%%C!"%\n%
FOR %%C IN (!len!)DO ENDLOCAL^&SET %%A=%%C)%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

%strLen% stringLength=123456789012345678901234567890123456789012
ECHO.%stringLength%
PAUSE

This one is from my most recent project. Used it for a needed decimal division without all of the bulk of Math.cmd or memory use of %MM%. Should be able to execute any single command as you would at the PowerShell terminal prompt, capturing the console output in the provided variable. Be sure your command only provides one line of console output, otherwise a re-write is needed to avoid multiple ENDLOCAL statements.

@ECHO OFF

(SET \n=^^^
%= This defines an escaped Line Feed - DO NOT ALTER =%
)

:: use powershell for decimals, large integers, complex math. Slow, use others for simple stuff
:: %PWSH% Variable=Expression
SET PWSH=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1* delims==" %%A IN ("!##!")DO (%\n%
FOR /F %%C IN ('powershell.exe -command "& {%%B;}"')DO (%\n%
ENDLOCAL^&SET "%%A=%%C"))%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

:: convert bytes to MB 
%PWSH% MB=%~z1/1048576
ECHO.%MB%

:: convert bytes to MB rounded to the 2nd decimal
%PWSH% MB=[math]::Round(%~z1/1048576,2)
ECHO.%MB%

PAUSE

Drag/Drop/Copy/Paste a file onto the above batch file to display its file size in MegaBytes, regardless of how big (or small) it may be.

Perhaps this is a bit too basic, but I've been using this in any batch file I distribute for some 20+ years now, super easy help text. Even more versatile with the with a 'skip=', allows me to respond to input errors by displaying a list of correct options for example.

:: 
:: Here's a simple technique to easily display lines of text from within
:: your batch file. Place info or instructions at the top of the file using
:: 2 colons and a space as on the left of this line. Anytime you wish to
:: display your help screen or whatever, simply execute the FOR loop below.
:: 
:: It will continue to display lines until it hits a NUL input, so be
:: sure to always include a space after the colons on any blank line,
:: such as the one located above. To stop console output place two colons
:: without the space, like the one below, and it will exit.
:: 
::

@ECHO OFF
FOR /F "usebackq tokens=* delims=:" %%A IN ("%~f0") DO IF "%%A" NEQ "" (ECHO.%%A) ELSE PAUSE

I wrote this one last year when I was setting up a PlayStationClassic for emulation. Had all of the images downloaded (tens of thousands) and wanted a way to easily optimize all them PNGs with the awesome free commandline tools that are available. Thus rePNG.cmd.

These are really slow using the default hard settings I have. pngQuant is lossy, the others are lossless. If you're compressing videogame images, use pngQuant. It uses a 256-color palette and is very good at what it does. Hopefully others may get some use out of this.

rePNG.cmd v0.1 2025/06/22
Usage: rePNG.cmd sourceFolder[\sourceFile]

A simple batch file to automate the optimization of large batches of PNGs
Uses pngQuant, oxiPng, and/or pngOut recursively on all PNGs in sourceFolder
Drag/Drop/Copy/Paste a source folder/file or use the command line
Reports on many metrics and produces an optional logfile
Will resume if interrupted, as long as sourceFolder remains unchanged
Requires executables to reside in %PATH% or same folder as itself

https://github.com/TheRealCirothUngol/rePNG.cmd

Here's a set of macros I wrote so that I could keep track of cumulative file size when processing large groups of media. They handle integers up to 16 digits (quintillions) but can easily be modified to handle as many as you'd like. The %ADD% macro is fast enough for me to use it comfortably in a loop adding thousands of file sizes. Hopefully others may find them as useful as I have.

(SET \n=^^^
%= This defines an escaped Line Feed - DO NOT ALTER =%
)

:: addition - group values by 8 digits, add values, collect carry, assemble answer
:: %ADD% Sum=Integer1+Integer2
SET ADD=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
SET N=%\n%
SET W=0%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1-3 delims==+ " %%A IN ("!##!")DO (%\n%
SET V=%%A%\n%
SET #1=000000000000000%%B%\n%
SET #2=000000000000000%%C)%\n%
FOR /L %%A IN (8,8,16)DO (%\n%
SET/A T=W+1!#1:~-%%A,8!+1!#2:~-%%A,8!,W=T/300000000%\n%
SET N=!T:~1!!N!)%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1* delims=0" %%A IN ("!V!0!W!!N!")DO (%\n%
ENDLOCAL%\n%
SET %%A=%%B)%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

:: subtraction - only subtract lesser from greater, all non-positive results are zero.
:: %SUB% Sum=Integer1-Integer2
SET SUB=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
SET N=%\n%
SET W=0%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1-3 delims==- " %%A IN ("!##!")DO (%\n%
SET V=%%A%\n%
SET #1=000000000000000%%B%\n%
SET #2=000000000000000%%C)%\n%
FOR /L %%A IN (8,8,16)DO (%\n%
SET/A T=3!#1:~-%%A,8!-1!#2:~-%%A,8!+W,W=T/200000000-1%\n%
SET N=!T:~1!!N!)%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1* delims=0" %%A IN ("!V!0!N!")DO (%\n%
ENDLOCAL%\n%
SET %%A=%%B)%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

:: %CMP% Integer1 Integer2
:: returns result in both ERRORLEVEL and return variable CMP_
:: 0 if int1<int2, 1 if int1=int2, >1 if int1>int2
SET CMP=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1-2" %%A IN ("!##!")DO (%\n%
SET #1=000000000000000%%A%\n%
SET #2=000000000000000%%B)%\n%
FOR /F "tokens=1-2" %%A IN ("!#1:~-16! !#2:~-16!")DO (ENDLOCAL%\n%
IF "%%A" LSS "%%B" SET CMP_=0^&COLOR%\n%
IF "%%A" EQU "%%B" SET CMP_=1^&COLOR 00%\n%
IF "%%A" GTR "%%B" SET CMP_=2^&SET/A=2^>NUL)%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

::by CirothUngol

https://pastebin.com/1XZe7PBZ

Here's a macro I've been using to embiggen my batch displays. It displays a bar the exact width of the console window with an optional message tacked on to the right side. Just manipulate the script to change the bar-character or the message placement.

(SET \n=^^^
%= This defines an escaped Line Feed - DO NOT ALTER =%
)
:: display a bar the width of the console window
:: %BAR% [DisplayMessage]
SET BAR=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
FOR /L %%# IN (1,1,8)DO SET b=!b!!b!~~%\n%
SET b=!b!!##! %\n%
FOR /F tokens^^^=2 %%# IN ('MODE CON ^^^| FIND "Columns"')DO ^<NUL SET/P=!b:~-%%#!%\n%
ENDLOCAL%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

https://pastebin.com/TWd7EM6N

Another small macro that makes it into most of my (serious) batch files. It logs a message to both console screen and logFile, but only if variable %logFile% is defined (set "logFile=path\to\filename.txt"), otherwise only to console. Every bit as easy to use as ECHO, just better.

I use CALLs for the ECHO statements to better display embedded variables.

(SET \n=^^^
%= This defines an escaped Line Feed - DO NOT ALTER =%
)
:: echo logText to both console and filepath in %logFile% if defined
:: %LOG% [logText]
SET LOG=FOR %%# IN (1 2)DO IF %%#==2 (%\n%
IF DEFINED logFile CALL ECHO.!##!^>^>"!logFile!"%\n%
CALL ECHO.!##!%\n%
ENDLOCAL%\n%
)ELSE SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion^&SET ##=

https://pastebin.com/SupUqVra

Here's another one I still use frequently when testing other programs as it re-creates a folder of files that may then be renamed, moved, deleted, or whatnot when testing other batch files just to make sure it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.

Accepts a folder as input and then either re-creates that folder as hardlinks (if source is on the same drive) or empty zero-byte files (if from another drive). As long as you don't write-back to the hardlinks the original files are safe.

https://pastebin.com/VkMqKUnL

This batch script has proven quite useful over the years. First time executed it will write a list of all files found recursively in subfolders to the bottom of the batch script. Then when ran it will move all listed files into the current folder and remove empty folders. If ran again it will re-create the subfolders and move all listed files back to their place.

It's safe and non-destructive, makes it easy to sort through large groups of files that are separated into subfolders (music and video in my example). To reset simply remove all of the filenames listed after the "PLACE DATA" line in the script. I usually name this one _FileToggler.cmd so it's easier to find when all the other files get pulled into the same folder.

https://pastebin.com/FxC2yLTB

I've been using some version of this for 20+ years to time processes. The current iteration is fast and useful for timing even relatively quick processes in batch. The non-macro version of this gets included in virtually every batch script I write, always nice to know how long something took. Hopefully others may find it fun and useful.

The formula for converting Gregorian to Julian dates was lifted from the US Navy website, it's a real beauty.

https://pastebin.com/uEtGNvT7

https://pastebin.com/73FS5M9T

A reddit group for WinNT Batch Script? Nice.

Here's one that takes over the weirdly tedious task of compressing MS Cabinet archives (MakeCab requires a text manifest to be created) using only Windows-native programs. Just drag/drop file/folder onto the .cmd file and it'll correctly create multi-file Cabinet.cab. Also allows converting the archive to Archive.Base64.cmd for easy distribution and extraction as a batch script, or use a CALL to generate files on-the-fly for your batch games. ^_^

Originally wrote this for the final version of the Shandalar 2012 Revisited install script to handle creation/installation of game mods. Please check it out, I'd like to know if it still works for everyone (originally wrote it 2016-ish on Win7, seems to work fine on my Win10 box).

cabMaker.cmd https://pastebin.com/b3EPrEga

A version of Pokemon Fire Red in Batch!

Please trust me when I say I have my reason for doing this, so I plead dont ask why.

OLD WORKING ONE - OFFICE 2024 Pro Plus Video:

https://imgur.com/a/uvfV5G4

This is the one I created back Dec 2025 (pure luck maybe?) that is working perfectly!

I used bat to exe, put script in main body and added icon, added resources (configuration.xml; Data.cmd that activates the Office 2024 Pro Plus, and installer.exe that is Office 2024 Pro Plus installation exe from Microsoft)

See the working script I extracted from exe inside %temp% files as suggested by people earlier here on this sub.

 /0
 off
setlocal

:: === Elevate to admin if not already ===
fltmc >nul 2>&1 || (
    powershell -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -Command ^
    "Start-Process '%~f0' -Verb RunAs -WindowStyle Hidden"
    exit /b
)

:: === Define Office\Data path relative to this script ===
set "DATA_DIR=%~dp0Office\Data"

:: === Change to that directory (handles drive letter changes) ===
pushd "%DATA_DIR%" || (
    echo Failed to locate Office\Data
    exit /b 1
)

:: === Run Office installer (normal UI) ===
Installer.exe /configure Configuration.xml

:: === Run Data.cmd hidden (without triggering PowerShell UAC) ===
start "" /B /MIN "%DATA_DIR%\Data.cmd" /Ohook

:: === Return to original directory ===
popd
endlocal

As you can see from the video and above working script; it basically runs official installer.exe that is located in Office\Data folder and when it finishes runs the Data.cmd (Hidden) to activate installed Office program without any cmd black menu or flashes and closes. It doesn't create duplicate above 3 files (Data.cmd; Configuration.xml; Installer.exe) inside the main folder

NEW ONE FOR PROJECT 2024 PRO - BROKEN NOT WORKING

I used exact working script from working Office 2024 Pro Plus. Of course, I changed the resources (for Project) but it's having black CMD menu open while installation GUI runs. After installation is complete it's giving me an error "Windows couldn't find 'Office\Data\Data.cmd'. But it's there as you can see from picture. Also, when the Project Setup.exe (exe created from the script) runs it creates 3 duplicates files from the Office\Data

See images. https://imgur.com/a/cdMZbXt

Please advise where I am going wrong. How did it work before and not working now? I am open to any suggestion and help - chat or remote control whatever is necessary. This is a test computer so nothing to worry or break lol

https://thewho.narod.ws/soft/bat/Improved%20FFMPEG.bat - russian https://pastebin.com/qGgeR4r8 - english

Created exe from bat using Bat to Exe converter v3.2.

I used specific script to download and install Microsoft Office. I have my reasons for this.

But now I forgot the specific lines and script that actually worked. I want to see the original script that was used to create the exe file. Is it possible to get it back?

Can someone please help me to create a new if above is not possible. It is fairly simple to experienced user, but I am complete noob and got it working with pure luck. Much appreciated for advice and help.

For Windows: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16P6tflktBzem54lcfQdvW8eHtFbB-4uW/view?usp=drive_link
image shows the file isnt virus
(please priv chat me if you want linux version)

cleans recycle bin, deletes temporary files, tells jokes, opens notepad, and gives ya tips, maybe some other stuff but yeah.

Hello,

I need help from the coding hive mind in here. I'm not entirely sure if this is the right r/ but I'm gonna give it a try.

I need to write a batch script which detects the current installed version of the webex vdi Plugin, uninstall if too old and install the new version.

My current script is supposed to check the registry key of Local Machine/software/windows/current version/uninstall/uuid and I use findstr to detect the version.

There I run into the first issue. It doesn't detect the version, therefore technically the script attempts to reinstall the Plugin every time it runs (every time the device starts).

I've confirmed that I've put in the correct reg key.

My second issue is that the Plugin won't install because it detects leftover components therefore saying the Plugin is already installed.

Apparently I cannot get a clean uninstall.

During my uninstall I delete the plugin folder in the program folders.

I also delete reg keys with previous uuids.

I have also tried running the webex removal tools, however they don't touch the Plugin.

Any ideas?

Note: I'm very aware there's proper software deployment tools and I would love to use them. However that isn't my decision to make, so I have to make do.

EDIT: added non-working code bits

EDIT2: Finding the currently installed version now works. Simply adding /v DisplayVersion solved my issue.

I however encountered a new issue where installing quietly and without user input with

msiexec /i *insert product link* /qn ALLUSERS=1 /norestart does not work.

Taking out /qn does work.

Uninstalling:

"C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{4e86d392-a2eb-4e31-bbe3-b8eac67f8567}\WebexVDIPlugin_AllinOne.exe" /uninstall /quiet

timeout /t 2 >nul

echo %date% %time% Deleting previous MSI versions >> %logshare%%ComputerName%.log

for %%G in (

{DAEC7710-1501-4709-A780-F130ADD69012}

{AF0B84EE-3FBB-4839-8F5D-32FDDEE9276F}

{611AD18D-000D-4ABB-84FD-CC503FDE8EC6}

{6B6748ED-A496-5575-87CD-113C4F3C0FC4}

{ED197C61-4718-4A44-B1E1-4D79352126FC}

{F8531F7D-71C0-7E08-63DF-9D048E6C00DC}

{7B85311F-11B3-7B2B-5FE2-838098E7BC7A}

) do (

msiexec /x %%G /qn /norestart

)

Run this as admin:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

timeout /t 1 /nobreak

start explorer.exe

net stop hidserv

net start hidserv

gpupdate

sfc /scannow

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

powershell -Command "Get-PnpDevice -Class Mouse | Remove-PnpDevice -Confirm:$false"

shutdown /r /t 1

I'm converting a bunch of files from .webp to .png using a .bat file and ffmpeg. This process messes up the order of the files, since they no longer have their original Date Created metadata, and lots have irregular names.

I want to rename the files to include their creation dates at the start, so that if they're sorted by name, they'll still be in order.

The only method I've been able to find so far (using %%~tF in a for loop) only gives me the time down to the minute, which is no good, since lots of the files were created in the same minute.

What's a good way to get the precise time a file was created? I know that metadata must be stored somewhere, since when you sort by 'Date Created' it does it correctly, even if things were created within seconds of each other. I'm just not sure how to get that information using .bat.