Start (command)

In computing, start is a command of the IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows and ReactOS command-line interpreter cmd.exe to start programs or batch files or to open files or directories using the default program. is not available as a standalone program. The underlying Win32 API is .
The command is also one of the basic commands implemented in the Keyboard Monitor of the DEC RT-11 operating system.
The TOPS-10 and TOPS-20 operating systems also provide a start command. It is used to start a program in memory at a specified address.

Other environments

Typical Unix shells have no built-in registry of file types and associated default applications. Linux command-line tools with similar functions include xdg-open and run-mailcap.
On Cygwin, the command is implemented as the executable.
In PowerShell, the Invoke-Item cmdlet is used to invoke an executable or open a file.
On Apple macOS and MorphOS, the corresponding command is open.
On Stratus OpenVOS it is start_process.

Syntax

Windows, ReactOS

start
"title" Title of the window.
Path Specifies the startup directory.
I Use the original environment given to cmd.exe, instead of the current environment.
B Starts the command or program without creating any window.
MIN Starts with a minimized window.
MAX Starts with a maximized window.
WAIT Starts the command or program and waits for its termination.
command Specifies the parameters to be given to the command or program.

Examples

Windows, ReactOS

C:\>start notepad file.txt

C:\>start "C:\My Music\My Song.mp3"

C:\>start www.wikipedia.org