Create a Batch File to Refresh Network Settings

How to Create a Batch File to Refresh Network Settings

create bat file icon

Create a bat file

Here we show you how to make a bat file. In the example today we will create a batch file (with the .bat extension) and use it to refresh network settings. If you are an emerging computer tech and you haven’t already become accustomed to using the ipconfig command, you soon will. This command is most commonly used at the DOS prompt to see a computer’s current IP configuration. Using this command with three different switches also allows you to refresh a computer’s network settings which can be very useful when troubleshooting network issues. In the following tutorial, I would like to show you how you can create a batch file that will run this command along with its switches to quickly refresh a computer’s network settings.

Introduction to How to Make a Batch File

Before we get started, it might be helpful for you to first understand what a batch file is.  A batch file is a simple text file that can run a series of DOS commands when executed.  They can be created using Windows Notepad or any other plain text editor. 

You simply enter the DOS commands that you would like to run and save the file with a .bat extension. 

You can then execute it by simply double clicking on it.

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Lets get started on that batch file.

Step 1 – Open a text editor (like Notepad)

Click on the “Start” menu and go to “All Programs”.  Go to “Accessories” and open “Notepad”.

 

Step 2 – Type the text that will create the batch file in Notepad

In Notepad, type in the following commands which will be run to refresh a computer’s network settings.

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /flushdns

and finally:

ipconfig /renew

It should look like this.

Batch File 1 Screenshot

The “release” switch will release your current IP address settings.  The “flushdns” switch will flush the DNS resolver cache.  The “renew” switch will renew your IP address settings.

Now you are ready for the finishing touches to create your batch file.

Step 3 – How to Create the Bat File

Now click on the “File” menu and select “Save As”.

Change the “Save As Type” field to “All Files” located near the bottom of the window. 

Now enter a “File Name” such as “Refresh.bat” without the quotes. This is the important step to make a bat file. It is important that you put the .bat extension on the end of the file name or you will not be able to execute it as a batch file.  Choose a “Save In” location and click the “Save” button to save it.

Batch File 2 Screenshot

Step 4:  Now you can run your new batch file by double clicking on it.

Batch File 3 Screenshot

After the batch file has finished executing, the computer’s network settings will be refreshed.

Batch File 4 Screenshot

You can put this file on your desktop for quick access or on a flash drive to use on other computers.  It can be run on any Windows machine including XP and Vista.  Remember, these commands will only work if the computer is set up to obtain an IP address automatically and will not work if the computer has a hard-coded IP address.

If you have any experience using batch files, please feel free to share what you use them for.

Conclusion

We explained what a batch file is, and explained they have a .bat file extension. We showed an example of how you make a batch file to refresh network settings.

About The Author

Casey

Casey (Surname withheld for contractual reasons) successfully started his own IT consultancy well over 10 years ago. He started training and mentoring other computer technicians who want to create a part time or full time income as an IT consultant. See the 'About Us' for more.

25 Comments

  • Casey

    Reply Reply April 6, 2008

    Wow, thanks for sharing this with us.  I created one on my computer and it worked like a charm.  I love the menus and even the change of color.

  • Anonymous

    Reply Reply April 1, 2008

    Thanks to your idea, I created my own file. (I took out the ascii graphics in the Menu’s).

    @echo off
    title NETWORK RESET SCRIPT
    :prompt
    color 1f
    cls
    echo NETWORK RESET SCRIPT
    echo.
    echo Type r to Reset Network
    echo Type p to do a ping test
    echo Type c to go to Command Prompt
    echo Type q to exit
    set /p answer=
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘r’ goto test
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘R’ goto test
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘C’ goto cmd
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘c’ goto cmd
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘q’ goto quit
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘Q’ goto quit
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘P’ goto ping
    if ‘%answer%’ == ‘p’ goto ping
    pause >nul

    :test
    cls
    echo —————————————————-
    echo – RELEASING IP…. –
    echo —————————————————-
    ipconfig /release >nul
    echo.
    echo Done!
    echo.
    echo —————————————————-
    echo – RESETTING IP LOG… –
    echo —————————————————-
    @netsh int ip reset C:WindowsTEMPIPRESETLOG.txt >nul
    echo.
    echo Done!
    echo.
    echo —————————————————-
    echo – FLUSHING ARP TABLES… –
    echo —————————————————-
    @arp -d >nul
    echo.
    echo Done!
    echo.
    echo —————————————————-
    echo – FLUSHING DNS… –
    echo —————————————————-
    @ipconfig /flushdns >nul
    echo.
    echo Done!
    echo.
    echo —————————————————-
    echo – RENEWING IP… –
    echo —————————————————-
    @ipconfig /renew >nul
    echo.
    echo Done!
    echo.
    cls
    echo —————————————————-
    echo Heres Your Status: –
    echo —————————————————-
    ipconfig /all
    echo.
    echo Press Any Key to Go To Menu
    pause >nul
    goto prompt

    :ping
    cls
    echo —————————————————-
    echo Starting Ping Test… –
    echo —————————————————-
    echo.
    ping google.com
    echo.
    echo Press Any Key to goto MENU
    pause >nul
    goto prompt

    :quit
    cls
    echo Thanks For Using The Network Reset Script
    pause
    exit

    :cmd
    @color 7
    cls
    cmd
    @echo on

    • Daryl

      Reply Reply March 29, 2014

      Sir can you teach me how to send a batch file to a computer using internet and from that computer it will send a copy of itself to its network like a virus?

  • Yamaha

    Reply Reply September 11, 2008

    This is wonderful. Thanks fellas.

  • sandeep

    Reply Reply December 17, 2008

    This is great … it works wonders…

    • ramesh

      Reply Reply January 7, 2013

      sir,
      i have one PC having two LAN Cards one connected with Broad Band (having IP 192.168.1.2 subnet 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.1.1 ) and other with intranet (IP 10.68.111.70 subnet 255.255.252.128 gateway 10.68.111.1) now i want to access BB from other IP of Intranet (Say IP 10.68.111.42 ) what BAT file i have to use on 10.68.111.70 for accessing Broad Band from 10.68.111.42 can u suggest me

  • Rav

    Reply Reply April 16, 2009

    Hi I have copied the above script and created .vbs file when running the file i get Windows Script Host error
    Line: 1
    Char 1
    Error: Invalid Character
    Code: 800A0408
    Source: Microsoft VBScript compilation error

    Can you help please?

    • Rav

      Reply Reply April 16, 2009

      I have solved the issue. saved file as .BAT and it works… Doh!!!!

      Cheers mate.

      • ramesh

        Reply Reply January 7, 2013

        sir,
        i have one PC having two LAN Cards one connected with Broad Band (having IP 192.168.1.2 subnet 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.1.1 ) and other with intranet (IP 10.68.111.70 subnet 255.255.252.128 gateway 10.68.111.1) now i want to access BB from other IP of Intranet (Say IP 10.68.111.42 ) what BAT file i have to use on 10.68.111.70 for accessing Broad Band from 10.68.111.42 can u suggest me

  • mukesh

    Reply Reply January 18, 2010

    hello sir i m using two ip address in one machine
    so how to create a bat file & how to create a diffrent ip address in bat file pls sent my email id

  • Psycho-Smiles

    Reply Reply May 13, 2010

    cmd /k ipconfig /displaydns to display DNS

    cmd /k ipconfig /flushdns to flush DNS

    make 2 seperate bats so you can see your recent activity if you want to without it wiping your DNS out first

    save as DNS.bat etc

  • HeyItsTman

    Reply Reply August 19, 2010

    Thank You very much, I no dont have to walk my little peoples through this operation anymore. Saved time and energy.
    Thank You!

    • ramesh

      Reply Reply January 7, 2013

      sir,
      i have one PC having two LAN Cards one connected with Broad Band (having IP 192.168.1.2 subnet 255.255.255.0 gateway 192.168.1.1 ) and other with intranet (IP 10.68.111.70 subnet 255.255.252.128 gateway 10.68.111.1) now i want to access BB from other IP of Intranet (Say IP 10.68.111.42 ) what BAT file i have to use on 10.68.111.70 for accessing Broad Band from 10.68.111.42 can u suggest me

  • Roger

    Reply Reply January 15, 2011

    It’s also useful convert batch file to exe prior to use, I made it with help of Dr.Batcher ( http://www.drbatcher.com ).

  • manoj

    Reply Reply July 11, 2011

    Hi Friends,

    I have problem with My ERP server i want to only repair my network setting what can i do? give me .bat file for this this is my ip
    10.x.x.x -ip
    10.x.x.x -ip
    10.x.x.x -ip
    10.x.x.x -ip
    10.x.x.x -ip
    [5 IP for one LAN card]
    255.x.x.x -subnet

    10.x.x.x -Getway
    10.x.x.x -Getway
    2 getway for one LAN card

    x.x.x.x -DNS
    x.x.x.x -DNS
    x.x.x.x -DNS

    please give me .bat file for repair[right click Ethernet option & repair] in 15 min daily. 24×7

  • Janice Stevens

    Reply Reply November 14, 2011

    I have an issue with DNS zone. Each day is fails and I have to reload the zone. Can I create a bat file to reload 1 DNS so that I can schedule it as a task.

  • Rob

    Reply Reply October 16, 2012

    it just baffles me how simple and powerful batch files can be… Thank you

  • Snoopy

    Reply Reply November 12, 2012

    Thanks for this. It was really useful yet simple to do.

  • Paul

    Reply Reply February 26, 2013

    Thank you!

  • D

    Reply Reply October 2, 2013

    Release, flush and renew.
    Can anyone explain why I’d want to execute each of these functions.
    Thanks In Advance

  • jg)habtamu endris(ethiopia[bahirdar

    Reply Reply June 20, 2014

    first you have to chang your computer type or ode and connect ur computer or make it compactable

  • feedmebro

    Reply Reply July 24, 2014

    ive created a batch file chat . but it only works lan how can i make it through internet not lan?

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