How to Create an EXE From a .Bat File

Batch (.bat) files are a great way of automating tasks in Windows. With a simple text editor, such as Notepad, and some basic Windows command line knowledge, you can create batch files to do all sorts of things. For instance, entering the command "defrag c: /f" and saving the single line of text as "defrag.bat" in Notepad will allow you to run Disk Defragmenter with a single mouse click. Although batch files are convenient and can automate many tasks, you cannot pin batch file shortcuts to the Start Menu or Windows taskbar. To do this, you will first need to convert the batch file to an ".exe" executable file.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button and then enter "IExpress.exe" in the "Run" or "Search" box. Press the "Enter" key.

2. Wait for the "Welcome to IE Express 2.0" dialogue window to appear. Click and select the "Create new Self Extraction Directive file" option and then click the "Next" button.

3. Click the "Extract Files and Run an installation command" and then the "Next" button.

4. Enter a descriptive name for the new executable file in the "Package Title" window and click the "Next" button.

5. Click the "No Prompt" option and then the "Next" button.

6. Click and select the "Do not display a license" option and click on "Next."

7. Click the "Add" button on the next screen and then browse to the folder that contains the .BAT file you want to convert to an .EXE file. Click the "Next" button.

8. Enter a single-word name in the "Install Program" field on the next screen. Ensure the "Post Install Command" option is "None" and click the "Next" button.

9. Click the "Default (recommended)" option and then the "Next" button.

10. Click the "No Message" option and then "Next."

11. Click the "Browse" button on the next screen and navigate to the folder where you want to save the new .EXE file. Enter a file name for the executable file in the "Name" field and then click the "Save" button. Once the "Save As" window closes, click the "Next" button.

12. Click the "No Restart" option and then "Next."

13. Click the "Don't Save" option on the next screen and then "Next." Click the "Next" button on the "Create package" window. Click finish to exit the "IE Express 2.0" utility.

14. Test the new executable file by double-clicking it see if the batch file runs as intended.

References

• Gadget Cage: Convert .Bat file to .Exe File
• Microsoft Support: XCLN - How To Generate A User-Specific Profile Using IExpress and ODK