How to Start Programs Sequentially in Windows

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This article was previously published under Q198044

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SUMMARY

This article describes how to start programs sequentially in Windows using the "start /w" command.

MORE INFORMATION

To start programs sequentially in Windows, create a text file containing the following lines:

start /w <program1.exe>
start /w <program2.exe>
start /w <program3.exe>
<additional lines as necessary>

Save the text file with a .bat extension.

For example, you could create the following Test.bat file:

start /w calc.exe
start /w notepad.exe

After you save the Test.bat file, double-clicking it causes Calculator to start. After you quit Calculator, Notepad starts.

When you use this method, the programs in the batch file are started sequentially. The next program does not start until you quit the previous program.