Run batch file in location A from anywhere

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Marduk

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #1

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?

 

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garlin

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #2

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.

 

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Marduk

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #3

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?

 

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dacrone

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #4

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?

Click to expand...

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.

 

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Spunk

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #5

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

 

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garlin

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• Mar 3, 2026

• #6

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 \.

 

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Marduk

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• Mar 12, 2026

• #7

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.

 

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pseymour

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• Mar 12, 2026

• #8

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.

 

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