Pause


Applies To: Windows Server 2008,Windows Vista

Suspends the processing of a batch program and displays the following prompt:


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Press any key to continue . . .

For examples of how to use this command, see Examples.

Syntax


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pause

Parameters

Parameter

Description

/?

Displays help at the command prompt.

Remarks


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Press any key to continue . . .


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Terminate batch job (Y/N)?

If you press Y (for yes) in response to this message, the batch program ends and control returns to the operating system.

Examples

To create a batch program that prompts the user to change disks in one of the drives, type:


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@echo off
:Begin
copy a:*.*
echo Put a new disk into drive A
pause
goto begin

In this example, all the files on the disk in drive A are copied to the current directory. After the message prompts you to put a new disk in drive A, the pause command suspends processing so that you can change disks and then press any key to resume processing. This batch program runs in an endless loop—the goto begin command sends the command interpreter to the Begin label of the batch file. To stop this batch program, press CTRL+C and then press Y.

Additional references

Command-Line Syntax Key