Batch File Comment (Remark) – Windows

A batch file (batch script) in Windows is a text file that typically has a .bat extension and includes one or more command prompt commands.

It is a good practice to comment a source code in a batch file by leaving the remarks that explain functionality of some lines or blocks of code.

Also any line or a block of code in a batch file can be disabled by turning it into a comment (comment out) and enabled back (uncomment).

This note shows how to comment batch files in Windows.

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Batch File Comment

A batch file can be commented using either two colons :: or a REM command.

The main difference is that the lines commented out using the REM command will be displayed during execution of the batch file (can be avoided by setting @echo off) while the lines commented out using ::, won’t be printed.

Create a comment (remark) or comment a line of code in a batch file:

:: This is a comment that won't be printed
- or -
REM This is a comment that will be printed

Inline comment:

ECHO "Hello" & :: This command prints 'Hello'
- or -
ECHO "Hello" REM This command prints 'Hello'

A block of code (multiple lines) in a batch file can be commented out using GOTO:

GOTO comment
...skip this...
:comment

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