windows - How to use `%` in a batch file

Tuesday 6 March 2018

I want to associate a extension to a program by a batch file.

This command works fine when I write it interactively.

ftype wavfile="%ProgramFiles(x86)%\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" "%1"

But when I write it in a batch file and run, then %1 are recognized as a variable, so it ends up with:

ftype wavfile="%ProgramFiles(x86)%\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" ""

I think someone already ask a same question, but I couldn't find it. How can I use %1 or some other argument variables in a batch file?

Answer

You should use two percentage symbols like this: %%1, which will work for a batch file.

It will escape the %% into a percent sign.

Notes