What do you guys actually use batch files for?

[mattdoble]

Interesting

[ADMaster]

Someone once told me if you have to do it more than once script it. I use batch files for trivial repetitive tasks usually in conjunction with PDQ deploy and installers.

A few examples:

Somehow one of my images got set to the wrong time zone, I push out a .bat file with PDQ to set the correct time zone.

VLC media players silent install does not like to upgrade so my batch file uninstalls the old one then installs the new one.

Most recently I had to setup a lab for testing and there was software to install changes resolution, register the computer on the site, and install their active X controls.

I wrote a quick batch to install the software, change resolution, and set the publisher as a trusted publisher, and launch IE to their site to be registered.

For my more advanced scripts I use PowerShell. I used to use VBS for my user creation script but that was a copy and change to my needs job. I wrote my own user creation script in PowerShell without copying anyone and that was good.

If you manage windows my advice would be to learn PowerShell first because you can run most of the batch commands and it is the direction Microsoft wants to go. Also it is a snap to manage user accounts with the quest AD cmdlets.

 

Happy scripting;

[localzuk]

I don't often use batch files but I do use VBS a fair amount.

 

Our login script handles printer and drive assignments (Simple drive mapping and printer deployment - Script Center - Spiceworks)

I have a script for staff to do a quick enable/disable of proxy settings

For remote uninstallation of software based on the name, and then the uninstall key

Bulk folder creation

 

And any other little bits and pieces that crop up.

[SHimmer45]

use some simple scripts for backups which are run within windows backup.

recently been setting up a load for changing printers and drivers across the site here. (PrintUI)

havent used much VBS and no powershell.

 

should really get on board with powershell

[gshaw]

Used to use them a lot for logon \ startup scripts to merge registry entries, check for \ create files etc. GPP has put paid to a lot of that.

 

Used to use batch for updating our awkward MIS clients but changed over to VBS for that recently as I wanted more variables and clever queries so won't be going back

 

One thing I do still use .BAT for is msiexec commands involving transforms and suchlike. Why worry about typing out a long command when a quick double-click can do it for you

[gpe5732]

I use a batch file to set up file servers exactly like we want, initialize offline disks, format them, create the shares, enumerate shares, set up quotas, etc.