How to change to a subdirectory and run an exe using a bat file in a Windows 7 system?

Question

Using a bat file, I want to change to a sub directory of folder which bat file is in, and run my_application.exe in that directory,

I try:

cd /d %cd%\my subdirectory
START %~dp0my_application.exe

But it doesn't work, it says it can't find my_application.exe

Solution 1

Just indicate to start command what program to start and what should be the starting folder for it.

Without the cd command, it can be written as

start "" /d "%~dp0my_subdirectory" "my_application.exe"

if the my_application.exe is located in the subdirectory, or

start "" /d "%~dp0my_subdirectory" "%~dp0my_application.exe"

if the application is located in the same folder as the batch file.

start command take the first quoted parameter as the title for the new process. To avoid problems, a empty string ("") is included in command as the title.

Solution 2

Try:

cd /d "%~dp0my_subdirectory"
start "" my_application.exe

or just:

start "" "%~dp0my_subdirectory\my_application.exe"

Comments

[foxidrive]

The first start command using /d specifies the working directory so the executable doesn't require a full path to be specified. That will simplify the command.

[MC ND]

@foxidrive, changed. Thank you.

[JoeCodeCreations]

I've been looking for this solution for awhile. This solved my problem. Thank you very much!