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Batch Scripting

A batch script (or batch file) is a type of shell script on Windows.

It's a script that runs with cmd.exe and uses the .bat or .cmd file extension.

Syntax Overview

The general syntax for batch scripts:

REM comment here
:: Also a comment

:: Setting a variable
SET VAR=value

:: Wrap var name in % signs to expand it
ECHO %VAR%

:: Conditions
IF "%X%"=="y"...

:: Run a command
ECHO Hi

The official way to comment is using REM (stands for remark). The :: comment syntax is a hack using the label operator : twice.

NOTE: If using comments in a FOR loop, use REM style comments rather than ::.
Using :: comments in FOR loops can cause errors.

Batch Script to Disconnect Samba Shares

This is a simple batch script that disconnects all SMB shares and deletes saved credentials for the samba server. 

@echo off
echo Disconnecting all samba shares...
net use * /delete /y

echo Deleting cached credentials...
cmdkey /delete:192.168.4.11

echo Done!
pause

The @echo off disables the actual commands themselves from being printed to the terminal, only the output of the commands will be printed.

The pause at the end is so that the output can be inspected if running the script from the GUI (e.g., double clicking on disconnect_samba.bat). Without a pause, it would not hang to let you read the output.

Special Variables

Like Linux systems, there are environment variables that are always on the system.

  • %USERPROFILE%: Expands to the user's home directory (C:\Users\your-user)

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