Prevent overwriting a file using cmd if exist

I am currently writing a .bat batch file that executes an installation file. Before it runs the installation file I check to see if the directory exists to avoid re-installing the application.

I do this by using a If Not Exist filename statement. If the installed file doesn't exist, I then execute the installation file.

For some reason, when I test it with the application where it has been installed already, it is still trying to reinstall the application over it.

Here is a snippet of my code:

cd "C:\Documents and Settings\John\Start Menu\Programs\"
pause
If NOT exist "Software Folder"\ (
 start \\filer\repo\lab\"software"\"myapp"\setup.exe
 pause
)

Where SoftwareFolder is a subdirectory of "C:\Documents and Settings\John\Start Menu\Programs\". I am checking to see if it exists in my Programs folder.

I know nothing is wrong with my start command. I have a feeling something is wrong with my beginning CD command or one of its parameters.

Thanks a lot, guys!

batch-file cmd command-prompt

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1 Answer

I noticed some issues with this that might be useful for someone just starting, or a somewhat inexperienced user, to know. First...

CD /D "C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Start Menu\Programs\"

two things one is that a /D after the CD may prove to be useful in making sure the directory is changed but it's not really necessary, second, if you are going to pass this from user to user you have to add, instead of your name, the code %username%, this makes the code usable on any computer, as long as they have your setup.exe file in the same location as you do on your computer. of course making sure of that is more difficult. also...

start \\filer\repo\lab\"software"\"myapp"\setup.exe

the start code here, can be set up like that, but the correct syntax is

start "\\filter\repo\lab\software\myapp\" setup.exe

This will run: setup.exe, located in: \filter\repo\lab...etc.\

answered 2013-07-28T10:09:02.293

Prevent overwriting a file using cmd if exist

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