Windows command exit code

Windows CMD exit codes indicate the success or failure of a command or script, providing a numeric status that can be used for error handling in batch files or scripts.

Here’s an example of checking the exit code after running a command:

echo off
your_command_here
if %errorlevel% neq 0 (
    echo Command failed with exit code %errorlevel%
) else (
    echo Command succeeded with exit code %errorlevel%
)

What Are Exit Codes?

Definition of Exit Codes

Windows CMD exit codes are numerical values returned by a command or script upon its completion. These codes provide insight into whether a command was successful or whether it encountered errors. Understanding exit codes is essential for diagnosing problems and improving the efficiency of your command-line operations.

Standard Exit Code Values

In CMD, exit codes typically adhere to a few standard values:

• 0: Indicates that the command was successful without any errors. This is the exit code of success.
• 1: Represents a general error. This code suggests that something went wrong, but it doesn’t specify the exact issue.
• Common Codes (2-255): Various other codes may indicate specific types of errors or warnings based on the command executed. Familiarity with these can greatly aid troubleshooting.

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How to Use Exit Codes in CMD

Basic Syntax for Checking Exit Codes

To check the exit code after running a command, you can use the built-in variable `%ERRORLEVEL%`. This variable holds the exit code of the last command executed. Here’s the basic syntax:

command
echo %ERRORLEVEL%

This simple approach allows you to receive immediate feedback on the success or failure of any command you’ve run.

Understanding Common CMD Commands and Their Exit Codes

Different commands in CMD can have their unique expected exit codes. Understanding these can help you troubleshoot effectively:

• COPY: The `COPY` command is used to copy files. A successful copy returns an exit code of 0, while a failure (like a non-existent source file) results in 1.
• DEL: The `DEL` command deletes files. Similar to `COPY`, success returns 0, and failure returns 1. If you try to delete a file that does not exist, you’ll receive an appropriate error code.
• PING: Used for testing network connections. A successful ping returns 0, while unreachable targets will return 1.

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Practical Examples of Exit Codes

Example 1: A Simple File Copy Operation

When you execute a command to copy a file, it’s helpful to check the exit code to verify that the operation was successful.

copy file.txt destination.txt
echo %ERRORLEVEL%

If the copy command succeeds, the output will display 0. If `file.txt` doesn’t exist, you will get an exit code of 1, indicating an error.

Example 2: Deleting a Non-Existent File

Attempting to delete a file that does not exist will also provide valuable insight into how CMD handles errors.

del nonexistentfile.txt
echo %ERRORLEVEL%

In this case, you should see an exit code of 1, signaling that the file couldn’t be deleted because it was never there in the first place.

Example 3: Using PING Command to Check Connectivity

The `PING` command is a practical and frequently used command to test network availability.

ping google.com
echo %ERRORLEVEL%

If you receive a successful response from Google, the exit code will be 0. If your internet connection is down or Google is unreachable, you will receive an error code of 1, indicating a failed connection.

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Custom Exit Codes in Batch Files

Creating a Batch File with Custom Exit Codes

You have the ability to create custom exit codes in batch files, which can help streamline error handling and troubleshooting in your scripts. Consider the example below:

@echo off
if exist myfile.txt (
    exit /b 0
) else (
    exit /b 1
)

In this script, if `myfile.txt` exists, the script exits with a code of 0. If it does not exist, it exits with a code of 1.

Best Practices for Using Exit Codes in Scripts

Using meaningful exit codes in your scripts enhances both clarity and usability. Documenting your exit codes helps not only you but also others who may use or modify your code in the future. Consider establishing a standard to ensure consistency across your scripts.

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Troubleshooting Common Exit Code Issues

Diagnosing Problems Using Exit Codes

Interpreting exit codes is a crucial skill for troubleshooting. By analyzing the return value of commands, you can pinpoint specific issues, whether it’s syntax errors, unavailable files, or other problems.

Logging and Monitoring Exit Codes

Setting up logging to capture exit codes during script execution can be immensely beneficial for debugging. By saving exit codes to a log file, you can track the history of your script’s operation and quickly identify which parts may be failing. Consider using tools or frameworks designed for logging CMD operations for a more organized approach.

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Conclusion

Understanding windows cmd exit codes is invaluable for anyone looking to master the command line or improve their scripting and automation capabilities. By familiarizing yourself with standard exit codes and employing them in your scripts, you increase your productivity and troubleshooting efficiency. Regular practice and exploration of CMD’s capabilities will help solidify this knowledge, making it a crucial part of your skill set.

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Further Reading and Resources

For deeper exploration into CMD and batch file programming, consider visiting official documentation, online tutorials, and community forums. These resources can provide ongoing insight and additional support as you continue to learn and implement CMD commands effectively.

Last Updated :
27 Jan, 2022

Return codes are the codes returned by programs when they are executed. If the command line is successful, it should return zero; if it is not successful, it should return non-zero. If the test fails, a non-zero value indicates the error number, and the user can attempt to resolve it by navigating to the error message.

The test may also return an exit code. A program’s or utility’s exit code usually appears when it finishes or terminates.

The list below includes some of the non-zero exit codes (with their respective errors) that programs may return

Batch file error level:

%ERRORLEVEL% is an environment variable that contains the last error level or return code in the batch file – that is, the last error code of the last command executed. Error levels may be checked by using the %ERRORLEVEL% variable as follows:

IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 (
  DO_Something
)

A common method of returning error codes from batch files is to use the command EXIT /B %ERRORLEVEL%.

For custom return codes, use the EXIT /B <exitcodes> command.

Example:

 In the below example, if the condition is met, the script will terminate with the exit code 0. If the condition isn’t met, then the exit code will be 1.

if [[ "$(whoami)" != root ]]; then
   echo "Not root user."
   exit 1
fi
echo "root user"
exit 0

Output:

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Output

Loops:

There have been statements enacted sequentially in the decision-making chapter. Alternatively, Batch Script can also be used to alter the flow of control in a program’s logic. These statements are then organized into flow control statements.

Looping through Command Line Arguments

For checking command-line arguments, you can use the for statement. Here is an example of how to loop through the arguments of a command line using the ‘for’ statement.

for ((c=1; c<=7; c++))
do  
  echo "Welcome $c times"
done

Output:

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Output

By Matthew Adams 🕜 Updated on April 22, 2025 at 1:30 pm

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Let’s debug… the codes

Automation Workshop is a versatile tool that can handle complex automation scenarios including launching external apps therefore advanced error handling and debug capability is an essential part of process automation. Some Run Actions may complete with errorlevels or exit codes…

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• Terminate App · Options · Variables · Events 420000, 420001, and 420400.
• Remote FTP Command · Options · Variables · Events 338000 and 338402.
• Remote SSH Command · Options · Variables · Events 337000 and 337402.

…that indicate the termination status of executed Command or Application.

Exit codes

Program exit codes allow determining the specific reason for command’s or application’s termination. Although Automation Workshop shows codes in decimal format, they are also referred to as hexadecimal or negative decimal values.

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Help more?

For some error codes, Windows may provide a more friendly error message. NET HELPMSG displays information about Windows network messages (such as errors, warnings, and alerts). When you type NET HELPMSG and the error code (for example, net helpmsg 2182), Windows tells you more about the error code and may suggest actions to solve the issue.

This will only work for Windows API Win32 error codes that originate from Microsoft Windows. If net help does not return a valid result, it can mean that the problem originates in external processes such as executed application or command syntax.

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Understanding how to retrieve the exit code of the last command executed is crucial for scripting, automation, and error handling in Windows environments. The exit code provides valuable information about the outcome of the command: a return value of 0 usually signifies a successful execution, while non-zero values typically indicate an error or a specific condition. This numeric code serves as a communication mechanism between scripts or programs and the operating system. This tutorial explains how to get exit code of last command on Windows.

CMD

On Windows, the ERRORLEVEL is a special environment variable that holds the exit code of the most recently executed command. When a command is executed, it returns an exit code to the operating system.

For instance, in the Command Prompt (CMD) run the ipconfig command. To get the exit code of the last command, simply type the following command:

echo %ERRORLEVEL%

It returns 0 that indicates that the previously executed command was successful.

PowerShell

In PowerShell, the $LASTEXITCODE automatic variable holds the exit code of the most recent native program (Win32 application) that was executed. It’s important to note that it does not capture the exit code of PowerShell cmdlets.

$LASTEXITCODE

In PowerShell, the $? automatic variable offers the execution status of the last command. It holds a value of True if the last command succeeded and False if it encountered a failure. Notably, this variable is capable of reporting on both Win32 applications and PowerShell cmdlets.