.cmd File — Windows Command Script

CMD files are Windows command scripts functionally equivalent to BAT (batch) files but processed by cmd.exe (the Windows NT command interpreter) rather than COMMAND.COM (the DOS interpreter). While BAT files are supported by both interpreters for backward compatibility, CMD files are recognized only by cmd.exe and benefit from its enhanced features including delayed variable expansion, extensions for IF and FOR commands, SETLOCAL/ENDLOCAL for variable scoping, and improved error handling with ERRORLEVEL. In practice, BAT and CMD files are nearly interchangeable on modern Windows — the choice between them is largely conventional. CMD files signal intent to use Windows NT-era features and are preferred for scripts that rely on cmd.exe-specific behavior. System administrators use CMD scripts for automated tasks, startup scripts, and deployment procedures. The CMD scripting language supports the same core features as BAT — variables, conditionals, loops, subroutines, file operations, and piping — while adding NT-specific capabilities. PowerShell has largely superseded CMD scripting for complex automation, but CMD/BAT files remain useful for simple tasks and maximum Windows version compatibility.