How to check if a file exists from inside a batch file

Question

How to check if a file exists from inside a batch file

Question

I need to run a utility only if a certain file exists. How do I do this in Windows batch?

2011/01/26

C:\>help if

Performs conditional processing in batch programs.

IF [NOT] ERRORLEVEL number command

IF [NOT] string1==string2 command

IF [NOT] EXIST filename command

Sheng Jiang 蒋晟

2013/05/15

Try something like the following example, quoted from the output of IF /? on Windows XP:

IF EXIST filename. (
    del filename.
) ELSE (
    echo filename. missing.
)

You can also check for a missing file with IF NOT EXIST.

The IF command is quite powerful. The output of IF /? will reward careful reading. For that matter, try the /? option on many of the other built-in commands for lots of hidden gems.

RBerteig

2018/10/23

Chris J · Accepted Answer · 3/24/2015 9:48:30 AM

Accepted Answer

if exist <insert file name here> (
    rem file exists
) else (
    rem file doesn't exist
)

Or on a single line (if only a single action needs to occur):

if exist <insert file name here> <action>

for example, this opens notepad on autoexec.bat, if the file exists:

if exist c:\autoexec.bat notepad c:\autoexec.bat

Chris J

2015/03/24