Short for “automatically executed batch file,” autoexec.bat is a startup file used with MS-DOS and early versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems (Windows 3.x and Windows 95). It contains commands that are to be executed by the operating system when the computer first boots. For example, if autoexec.bat contained the line c:\windows\win", Windows 3.x would be executed when the computer first boots.

Autoexec.bat today

Windows XP and later versions of Windows do not have or use the autoexec.bat file. Instead, these versions of Windows now use the registry.

Auto, Batch file, Config.sys, Exec, Operating system terms

  • Help with editing this file is available on our Autoexec.bat and Config.sys page.
  • Microsoft Windows registry help and support.