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How to Get User Input with a Timeout in Batch Script

Interactive batch scripts often need to pause and wait for the user to make a decision. The PAUSE command works but waits forever. The SET /P command is great for input but also waits indefinitely. For automated or time-sensitive scripts, you often need to ask a question but proceed with a default action if no one responds within a certain time.

This guide will teach you how to use the built-in CHOICE command to create a prompt that accepts specific keys and automatically continues after a timeout. This is the standard and most reliable method for creating non-blocking user prompts in a batch script.

The Core Command: CHOICE​

The CHOICE command is a powerful, built-in utility designed specifically for this task. It presents the user with a prompt and a set of allowed keys, waits for a keypress, and then sets the %ERRORLEVEL% variable to indicate which key was pressed.

Its most important features for this task are:

  • It can be configured to accept only specific keys (e.g., Y and N).
  • It has a built-in timeout feature that will automatically make a default choice if the user doesn't respond.

Basic Example: A Simple Timed Prompt​

This script asks the user a question. If they don't answer within 10 seconds, it will automatically default to "No".

@ECHO OFF
ECHO --- Timed Prompt ---
ECHO You have 10 seconds to answer.

CHOICE /C YN /T 10 /D N /M "Do you want to proceed?"

REM The logic to handle the choice goes here...

The output presented to the user is with the message and a prompt showing the allowed choices. The countdown timer is also visible.

--- Timed Prompt ---
You have 10 seconds to answer.
Do you want to proceed? [Y,N]?

If the user presses Y or N within 10 seconds, the command ends immediately. If they do nothing, after 10 seconds the command will automatically select N and continue.

How to Use the User's Selection (%ERRORLEVEL%)​

The CHOICE command communicates the user's selection by setting the %ERRORLEVEL% variable to the index of the chosen key in the /C list.

  • The first choice (Y in /C YN) corresponds to an ERRORLEVEL of 1.
  • The second choice (N) corresponds to an ERRORLEVEL of 2.
  • And so on.

If the timeout occurs, %ERRORLEVEL% is set to the index of the default choice. If the user presses Ctrl+C to abort, %ERRORLEVEL% is 0.

An example:

@ECHO OFF
ECHO You have 10 seconds to decide.

CHOICE /C YN /T 10 /D N /M "Do you want to format the drive?"

ECHO.
REM The check must be done in descending order with the classic syntax.
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 (
    ECHO You chose 'N'. Operation cancelled.
    GOTO :End
)
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 (
    ECHO You chose 'Y'. Proceeding with format...
    GOTO :End
)

:End
note

The IF ERRORLEVEL N syntax means "if the error level is N or greater", which is why we must check from highest to lowest.

Key CHOICE Parameters Explained​

  • /C <Choices>: Specifies the set of Choices the user can press. Example: /C YNC for Yes, No, Cancel.
  • /T <Timeout>: Sets the Timeout in seconds. After this many seconds, the default choice is made.
  • /D <DefaultChoice>: Specifies the Default choice to be used if the timeout occurs. This must be one of the characters from your /C list.
  • /N: No prompt. This hides the [Y,N]? part of the prompt, which is useful if your message (/M) already includes the options.
  • /M "<Message>": The Message string to display to the user.

Common Pitfalls and How to Solve Them​

Problem: The Prompt is Case-Sensitive​

By default, /C YN will only accept uppercase Y and N. If a user types a lowercase y, it will be ignored.

Solution: Include Both Cases in the Choices​

The simplest solution is to include both upper and lower case letters in your choice list. The %ERRORLEVEL% will be set according to the position in this list.

@ECHO OFF
REM Choices:  y, Y, n, N
REM Indexes:  1, 2, 3, 4
CHOICE /C yYnN /T 10 /D N /M "Proceed? (y/n)"

IF ERRORLEVEL 3 GOTO :ChoiceNo
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO :ChoiceYes

:ChoiceYes
ECHO You chose YES.
GOTO :End

:ChoiceNo
ECHO You chose NO.

:End

Here, we check for an ERRORLEVEL of 3 or greater for "No", which covers both n and N.

Problem: Hiding the Prompt and Countdown​

For a cleaner interface, you might not want the [Y,N]? text to appear.

The Solution: Use the /N Switch​

The /N switch suppresses the default prompt text, allowing you to create a fully custom message with the /M switch.

CHOICE /N /C YN /T 10 /D N /M "Press Y to continue or wait 10 seconds to cancel..."

Practical Example: An Unattended Script with an Abort Option​

This script is designed to run automatically. It gives the user a short 5-second window to press C to cancel a potentially destructive operation before it proceeds automatically.

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL
ECHO --- Automated Server Reboot Script ---
ECHO.
ECHO WARNING: This script will reboot the server in 15 seconds.
ECHO To abort this operation, press 'C' within the next 15 seconds.
ECHO.

CHOICE /C C /T 15 /D X /N

REM Choice C is the 1st in the list, so its index is 1.
REM If the timeout occurs, the default 'X' is chosen, index 2.
REM If the user hits Ctrl+C, the ERRORLEVEL is 0.

IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 1 (
    ECHO [ABORTED] Reboot has been cancelled by the user.
    GOTO :End
)

ECHO Timeout reached or another key was pressed.
ECHO Proceeding with server reboot NOW.
REM (The actual reboot command would go here)
REM shutdown /r /t 0

:End
ECHO Script finished.
ENDLOCAL

Conclusion​

The CHOICE command is the definitive tool for creating interactive prompts that won't halt your script indefinitely. It provides a simple and reliable way to get user input under a time limit.

Key takeaways for using it effectively:

  • Use the /T switch to set the timeout in seconds.
  • Use the /D switch to specify the default choice on timeout.
  • Check the %ERRORLEVEL% variable to determine which key was pressed, remembering that it corresponds to the 1-based index of the choice.
  • For non-interactive scripts, the combination of /T and /D is essential for providing an "opt-out" or "abort" window before a default action is taken.

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