TIMEOUT

Add a variable delay to a batch file.

TIMEOUT [/?]

TIMEOUT delay

TIMEOUT /t delay [/nobreak]

delay (NT4)

Delay in seconds (between -1 and 100000) (between -1 and 99999 in NT2003) to wait before continuing. The value -1 causes the computer to wait indefinitely for a keystroke (like the PAUSE command).

/? (NT2003)

Display command help.

/nobreak (NT2003)

Specifies to ignore a user key stroke.

/t (NT2003)

Makes delay a switch.

PAUSE - Suspend processing of a batch file and display a message.
SLEEP - Fixed delay.
WAIT - Fixed delay.

Will pause command execution for a number of seconds, after which it continues without requiring a user keystroke. If the user does press a key at any point, execution will resume immediately. Seems to consume less processor time than SLEEP.

none.

none.

External Resource Kit

DOS

none

Windows

none

Windows NT

NT4 NT2003