Question

I’m starting a shell script (.cmd) from my .NET application. I’d like the console window to remain open after the script has completed so that I can check for any errors. I’m trying with cmd.exe /K:my.cmd, but for some reason that does not work (the script does not get executed). Even a simple “dir” command does not work. Any other ideas?

To demonstrate, this:

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(new System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo()
{
    Arguments = "/K:dir",
    ErrorDialog = true,
    FileName = "cmd.exe",
    WorkingDirectory = @"C:\"
});

Gives me this:

C:\>

Added clarification: My application (the one that starts the script) is a windows forms application. Executing the above code opens a new console window (as it should). I want THAT new console window to remain open. Also, I cannot modify the script. It’s an automated build script and it HAS to terminate.

Answer 1

I don’t know if this is the whole problem, but if you run cmd /K:dir, nothing is run. Using a space instead of a colon makes it work for me.

i.e., cmd /K dir

---

It’s also worth noting that you can test these commands in the run dialog. In any recent Windows version this can be done by holding down Win and pressing R.