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How to Open the Character Map in Batch Script

The Character Map (charmap.exe) is a built-in Windows utility that allows you to view and copy special characters from any font installed on your system. It's an essential tool for finding characters that aren't on your keyboard, such as copyright symbols (©), accented letters (é), or various symbols (→, ★).

While it's a graphical utility, you can easily launch it from a batch script. This is useful for creating a simple "helper" script that opens a set of common tools, or to simply provide a quick way to access it without navigating through the Start Menu.

The Core Command: charmap.exe​

The executable for the Character Map utility is charmap.exe. Because this program is located in C:\Windows\System32, which is included in the system's PATH environment variable by default, you can run it directly by name from any command prompt.

Syntax: charmap

This command has no command-line arguments or switches. Its only function is to launch the graphical application.

When you run an executable like charmap.exe directly from a batch script, your script will stop and wait until you close the Character Map window. This is "blocking" behavior, which is usually not what you want. The START command is the standard tool to launch a program in a new, separate process, allowing your script to continue without waiting.

Syntax: START "" charmap

  • START: Launches the command in a new process.
  • "": A "dummy" title, which is a best practice for the START command to ensure reliability.

Basic Example: A Simple "Launch Charmap" Script​

This script will launch the Character Map utility.

@ECHO OFF
TITLE Character Map Launcher
ECHO --- Opening the Character Map Utility ---
ECHO.
ECHO The Character Map window will now open.
ECHO This script will not wait for it to be closed.

START "" charmap

ECHO.
ECHO --- The 'start' command has finished. ---

When you run this script, the Character Map application will open, and the batch script will immediately finish and close the command prompt window.

How the Command Works​

The charmap.exe executable is a simple GUI application. When you call it (or START it), the Windows Shell locates the executable in the System32 folder and launches it just like any other program. There are no inputs to provide or outputs to capture; its only purpose is to start the graphical tool.

Common Pitfalls and How to Solve Them​

The charmap command is extremely simple and has very few pitfalls.

  • Blocking vs. Non-Blocking: The most common issue is forgetting to use START, which will cause your script to "hang" until the Character Map is closed. Solution: Unless you specifically want your script to pause, always use START "" charmap to launch it.
  • Command Not Found: This is extremely rare, as charmap.exe is a standard component of all modern Windows versions. If it were to happen, it would indicate a corrupted Windows installation.

Practical Example: A "Developer's Toolkit" Script​

This script acts as a simple launcher for a set of common utilities that a developer or power user might need, including the Character Map. Because it uses START for each one, all the tools are launched simultaneously.

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL
TITLE Developer's Toolkit Launcher

ECHO --- Launching Common Utilities ---
ECHO.
ECHO The following tools will now be opened:
ECHO - Notepad
ECHO - Calculator
ECHO - Character Map
ECHO.
PAUSE

ECHO Launching...

START "" notepad.exe
START "" calc.exe
START "" charmap.exe

ECHO.
ECHO --- All tools have been launched. ---
ENDLOCAL

Conclusion​

Launching the Character Map from a batch script is a simple and direct task.

Key takeaways:

  • The executable name is charmap or charmap.exe.
  • The command takes no arguments.
  • It is a best practice to launch it with the START "" charmap command to prevent your script from pausing and waiting for the application to close.

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