Microsoft hasn’t built a dedicated multi-app launcher into Windows 11, but a technique that’s been hiding in plain sight for decades can get the job done. As first reported by Neowin, you can create a simple batch file that launches multiple applications with a single double-click, saving you the repetitive task of opening each program manually.

This isn’t a new feature or a hidden setting — it’s a .BAT file, the same kind of script that’s been part of Windows since the MS-DOS days. But it’s precisely this vintage that makes it reliable: it requires no extra software, no admin rights, and works on every recent version of Windows, including Windows 11 24H2.

Here’s how to set it up, why it still matters in an era of AI assistants, and what to do when you need something more sophisticated.

The simple script that does the heavy lifting

The core of the trick is the start command, which tells Windows to launch a program in a new window. When you string together several start commands in a plain text file and save it with a .bat extension, you’ve created a custom launcher.

For example, a .BAT file containing these three lines:

start "" "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
start "" "C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe"
start "" "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE"

will fire up Chrome, VS Code, and Outlook in one go. The empty double quotes after start are a window title placeholder — leaving them blank prevents the command from mistakenly interpreting a path with spaces as a title.

You can launch virtually any executable (.exe), and in many cases, even shortcuts (.lnk), documents, or folders. For instance, start "" "C:\Users\YourName\Documents" opens the Documents folder, and start "" "https://windowsnews.ai" opens a website in your default browser.

Neowin’s guide recommends placing the .BAT file on your desktop for quick access, but you can also pin it to the taskbar or the Start menu by right‑clicking and selecting “Pin to Start” or “Pin to taskbar” (you might need to create a shortcut to the .BAT file first, then pin that shortcut).

What this means for your daily workflow

If you’re a home user who fires up the same three apps every morning — say, a browser, a news reader, and a music player — a batch file can turn a 30‑second routine into a single click. Over a year, that’s roughly two hours saved just by automating the launch sequence.

Power users and IT professionals can take it further. Imagine a developer who needs to start a local server, an IDE, and a database tool when beginning a coding session. A .BAT file can launch them simultaneously, plus open a specific project folder or a terminal window in the right directory. The start command also accepts the /d switch to specify a working directory, which is handy for apps that need to start in a particular folder.

For network administrators, batch files can be deployed via Group Policy or as part of a login script, ensuring that critical business applications open automatically when a user signs in. This is a lightweight alternative to configuring dozens of Startup items, and it’s easier to update: just modify one text file.

However, there are limits. The batch file runs commands sequentially. If you need to wait for one app to fully load before launching another, you can use start /wait, but that negates the time‑saving advantage of parallel launches. Also, some modern apps installed via the Microsoft Store can be trickier — they’re not always launched by a direct .exe path. You can often use the app’s “App Execution Alias” if one exists, or a start command with the app’s package name (e.g., start bingnews:), though that’s less straightforward.

The long history behind a one‑line command

Batch files date back to the earliest days of PC computing. In MS‑DOS, AUTOEXEC.BAT was the startup script that configured your system. With Windows 95, the tradition continued, though the graphical login slowly replaced it. For decades, power users have relied on .BAT files to automate repetitive tasks, from cleanup jobs to software installations.

Windows 11 still includes Command Prompt (cmd.exe), which interprets .BAT files out of the box. Microsoft has been nudging users toward PowerShell with its richer scripting language, but .BAT remains the simplest option for a quick multi‑launch setup. Unlike PowerShell scripts, .BAT files don’t require you to adjust execution policies or worry about script signing. They just run.

This longevity is remarkable in an industry that changes rapidly. When Neowin revisited the trick in 2025, it was a reminder that sometimes the most useful tools are the ones that have been with us all along. Windows 11’s modern Settings app, Snap Layouts, and AI‑powered Copilot are all designed to boost productivity, but none directly address the simple desire to open your essential programs with one action.

Step‑by‑step: create your own app launcher today

Here’s a concrete, no‑frills guide to building a batch file launcher on Windows 11:

  1. Open Notepad. You don’t need a fancy editor — the built‑in Notepad is perfect for this.
  2. Write your start commands. Each program gets its own line. For example:
    batch start "" "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" start "" "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" start "" "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\WorkDocs"
  3. Test the paths. Before saving, copy each path to the Run dialog (Win+R) and make sure it opens the right program. If an app is installed from the Microsoft Store, you might need to locate its executable or use a special prefix. For example, to launch the Windows Calculator, you can use start calc:.
  4. Save the file with a .bat extension. In Notepad, click File → Save As. Choose “All Files” from the “Save as type” dropdown, then name your file something like MorningApps.bat. Make sure the extension is .bat, not .txt.
  5. Choose a location. Save it to your Desktop for easy access, or to a folder you’ll remember. You can later move it, create a shortcut, and pin that shortcut to the taskbar.
  6. Run the file. Double‑click it. A Command Prompt window will appear briefly while the commands execute, then close. Your apps should launch. If you want to keep that window open for troubleshooting, add pause at the bottom of the script.

Customizing and troubleshooting

  • Window state: The start command offers switches like /max and /min to launch apps maximized or minimized. For example: start "" /max "notepad.exe".
  • Delays: If you need to stagger launches, insert timeout /t 5 (pause for 5 seconds) between commands.
  • Priority: Use start "" /low "app.exe" to launch a resource‑hungry program with low CPU priority so your other apps remain responsive.
  • Admin rights: To run the entire batch file as an administrator, right‑click it and choose “Run as administrator.” You can also create a shortcut, right‑click the shortcut, go to Properties → Shortcut → Advanced, and check “Run as administrator.”
  • What if an app doesn’t launch? First, verify the path. Spaces in paths require the whole string to be in quotes. If the path is correct but nothing happens, the app might be a modern Store app. In that case, try its URI scheme (often listed on the app’s Store page) or search online for “[app name] command line launch.”

Beyond batch files: when you need more firepower

Batch files are excellent for simple multi‑launches, but they show their age when you need logic, loops, or integration with other system events. For those cases, consider:

  • PowerShell scripts: A .ps1 file with Start-Process cmdlets gives you more control (e.g., passing arguments, monitoring exit codes). You can run a PowerShell script from a .BAT file with powershell -file "C:\Path\Script.ps1", or just execute PowerShell directly from a shortcut.
  • Task Scheduler: If you want your apps to launch when you log in, on a schedule, or when a specific event occurs, Task Scheduler can run your .BAT file or script automatically.
  • Third‑party launchers: Tools like Launchy, Wox, or Microsoft PowerToys Run offer a search‑based app launcher. PowerToys also includes Keyboard Manager for custom shortcuts, which can trigger a .BAT file if you route it through a shortcut.
  • Windows Terminal profiles: If your workflow revolves around command‑line tools and servers, Windows Terminal can open multiple tabs or panes with predefined profiles, each running a batch script or command.

None of these replace the sheer simplicity of a desktop .BAT file, but they illustrate how Windows 11’s automation ecosystem has expanded while the old‑fashioned batch script remains a perfectly valid option.

What to watch next

Microsoft is gradually improving Windows 11’s built‑in automation, with features like Smart Actions in the works (a sort of IFTTT for the OS). Still, the humble batch file won’t disappear anytime soon. Its continued presence in Windows 11 24H2 — and the reality that many new users are discovering it for the first time through guides like Neowin’s — proves that sometimes the simplest solutions outlast the flashiest ones.

The next time you find yourself mindlessly launching the same set of programs every morning, take five minutes to create a .BAT file. It’s a small act of digital self‑care that pays dividends in saved time and reduced friction, and it’s entirely free.