Batch files : How to leave the console window open

Question

I have two batch files, one of them executes another, i.e.

1. "My Batch File" > 2. "Some Other Batch File"

I've created a shortcut of the first batch file and edited its properties to call its in following way.

cmd.exe /k "<SomePath>\<My Batch File>.bat" & pause 

What i want to do I want the console window to be open after the execution of the batch file is over. Now it just closes, tried to play around the cmd flags, no result.

Platform : Windows7

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UPDATE 1

Modified the structure, the simple example like this does not work as well, Only one batch file i.e. there is no the 2. "Some Other Batch File" The only batch file contains smth like this

start /B /LOW /WAIT make package cmd /K 

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UPDATE 2

The same shortcut which is invoked from Explorer does not close the console window. But the console window closes when the shortcut is invoked from the pinned item on taskbar

Any ideas how to keep the console window open?

Answer 1

If that is really all the batch file is doing, remove the cmd /K and add PAUSE.

start /B /LOW /WAIT make package PAUSE 

Then, just point your shortcut to "My Batch File.bat"...no need to run it with CMD /K.

UPDATE

Ah, some new info...you're trying to do it from a pinned shortcut on the taskbar.

I found this, Adding Batch Files to Windows 7 Taskbar like the Vista/XP Quick Launch, with the relevant part below.

1. First, pin a shortcut for CMD.EXE to the taskbar by hitting the start button, then type "cmd" in the search box, right-click the result and chose "Pin to Taskbar".
2. Right-click the shortcut on the taskbar.
3. You will see a list that includes "Command Prompt" and "Unpin this program from the taskbar".
4. Right-click the icon for CMD.EXE and select Properties.
5. In the box for Target, go to the end of "%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe" and type " /C " and the path and name of the batch file.

For your purposes, you can either:

1. Use /C and put a PAUSE at the end of your batch file.

   OR

2. Change the command line to use /K and remove the PAUSE from your batch file.

Answer 2

At here:

cmd.exe /k "<SomePath>\<My Batch File>.bat" & pause 

Take a look what are you doing:

1. (cmd /K) Start a NEW cmd instance.
2. (& pause) Pause the CURRENT cmd instance.

How to resolve it? well,using the correct syntax, enclosing the argument for the new CMD instance:

cmd.exe /k ""<SomePath>\<My Batch File>.bat" & pause"