Run batch file in location A from anywhere

Marduk · Mar 3, 2026

Hi,

I have a batch file that works fine but only when run from it's own location. How can I run from any other location?

garlin · Mar 3, 2026

In a batch file, the shell variable%~dp0returns the script's folder location.
%cd%is the current folder your shell is running from.

If you are reading files from a folder (using a relative path, instead of an absolute path), you may need to use a different variable in the file's pathname so the script can find it no matter where you run the script from.

Marduk · Mar 3, 2026

I don't understand how

Code:

%~dp0

can find the location of the script.

When a command prompt is opened it starts in C:\users\user (for me). Now the script is in A:\scripts\new tests.

How can I run that script from C:\users\user where it assumes it is actually in A:\scripts\new tests?

dacrone · Mar 3, 2026

Marduk said:
I don't understand how

Code:

%~dp0

can find the location of the script.

When a command prompt is opened it starts in C:\users\user (for me). Now the script is in A:\scripts\new tests.

How can I run that script from C:\users\user where it assumes it is actually in A:\scripts\new tests?

either copy it to that location and run the copy or modify the content of the .bat. @garlin told you the correct information as to what is running it from the script dir.

Spunk · Mar 3, 2026

If you still need help, please post your .bat file here so we can tell you specifically how.

garlin · Mar 3, 2026

Code:

@echo off

@echo Script path is %~dp0
@echo Current path is %cd%
@echo.

@echo DIR of Script path
dir %~dp0

@echo.

@echo DIR of Current path
dir %cd%

%~dp0%filename.doc is a file in the script's own folder. You don't need a \ separator since ~dp0 already includes a trailing \.

Marduk · Mar 12, 2026

Thanks guys, I finally figured it out. It was actually much easier then I assumed. I thought I had to somewhere path in the path of the script with the %~dp0 command. But now I understand that the command actually tells the script to be executed as if it was run from the path where the script is located.

pseymour · Mar 12, 2026

Yep. If you want to see more of those type of variables, look at the help for the "for" command, for /?. You'll see the variables near the end: ~d, ~p, ~x, etc.

Search

Run batch file in location A from anywhere

Marduk

New member

My Computer

System One

garlin

Well-known member

My Computer

System One

Marduk

New member

My Computer

System One

dacrone

Well-known member

My Computer

System One

Spunk

Well-known member

My Computer

System One

garlin

Well-known member

My Computer

System One

Marduk

New member

My Computer

System One

pseymour

putting the mental back in experimental

My Computer

System One

Similar threads

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials