Windows 7 / Getting Started

Using the WaitFor Utility

The WaitFor utility enables communication between processes. You can send a signal from one application to another. In fact, you can use this feature for signaling between batch files. When using this utility, you start the receiving application first and tell it to wait for the signal. The sender then sends the signal when it's ready. This command uses the following syntax:

Sender Syntax:
WAITFOR [/S system [/U [domain\]user [/P [password]]]] /SI signal

Receiver Syntax:
WAITFOR [/T timeout] signal

The following list describes each of the command line arguments.

/S system Specifies the remote system that you want to check. In most cases, you'll also need to supply the /U and the /P command line switches when using this switch.

/U [domain\]user Specifies the username on the remote system. This name may not match the username on the local system. You'll need to supply a domain name when working with a domain controller.

/P [password] Specifies the password for the given user. You can provide the command line switch without specifying the password on the command line in clear text. The system prompts you for the password. Using this feature can help you maintain the security of passwords used on your system.

/SI Sends the requested signal across the network.

signal Specifies the signal to send or receive. The signal is a simple string value such as StartSetup. A system can wait for multiple unique signals. The maximum signal name length is 255 characters. You may use a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and any ASCII character code in the range 128-255 for the string value. The string value can't contain special characters or spaces.

/T timeout Defines the amount of time to wait for the signal. You can specify any value from 1 to 99,999 seconds. The default setting waits an infinite amount of time.

[Previous] [Contents]

In this tutorial:

  1. CMD and BAT Files
  2. Starting the Command Interpreter
  3. Using the CMD Switches
  4. Working with the Command Interpreter in the Registry
  5. Modifying Config.NT
  6. Displaying the Config.NT Commands
  7. Modifying AutoExec.NT
  8. Saving Memory Using the LH Command
  9. Defining Application Compatibility with the SetVer Utility
  10. Using Common DOS Utilities
  11. Formatting a Disk with the Format Utility
  12. Terminating a Session Using the Logoff Utility
  13. Managing Environment Variables with the Set Command
  14. Managing Environment Variables with the SetX Utility
  15. Using Debugging Utilities
  16. Working at the Command Prompt
  17. Managing Usernames and Passwords with CmdKey
  18. Changing Screen Colors with the Color Command
  19. Obtaining Command Line Help with the Help Utility
  20. Creating Batch Files
  21. Using the Choice Command
  22. Using the For Command
  23. Using the Goto Command
  24. Using the Prompt Command
  25. Using the WaitFor Utility