Press Any Key Automatically Using Batch Program by Opening Existing User Running Application

Introduction

In Windows operating system, any program can run through a batch program. Also, it is very hard to press any key through a batch program. But it is possible indirectly by a batch program using VBScript.

Background

VBScript has a library to press any key such as "WshShell".

Using the Code

Suppose a user opens Notepad and writes something. Now the user wants to save the file automatically through a batch program. In this situation, the following procedure can be followed:

1. Create a VB script file named program.vbs. Write the following code and save it:
   VBScript

   Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
   WshShell.AppActivate "notepad"
   WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
   WshShell.SendKeys "^s"

   where “notepad” is the Notepad application which is already running. WshShell.SendKeys is using the keypress dynamically. ^s means "Ctrl+s".

2. Create a batch file named auto.bat and write the following code and save it:

   wscript "F:\Ict_Backup\Desktop\program.vbs"

3. Run the batch file. It will ask to save the file.
4. Another Example: Launch Firefox browser full screen automatically (sleep is used for wait until application is running on the system.)
   VBScript

   Set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
   oShell.Run("""C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe""")
   WScript.Sleep 3000
   oShell.AppActivate "firefox"
   WScript.Sleep 3000
   oShell.SendKeys "~"
   oShell.SendKeys "{F11}"

List of key codes for VBScript: