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timeout

Pauses the command processor for the specified number of seconds. This command is typically used in batch files.

Syntax

timeout /t <timeoutinseconds> [/nobreak]

Parameters

Parameter Description
/t <timeoutinseconds> Specifies the decimal number of seconds (between -1 and 99999) to wait before the command processor continues processing. The value -1 causes the computer to wait indefinitely for a keystroke.
/nobreak Specifies to ignore user key strokes.
/? Displays help at the command prompt.

Remarks

  • A user keystroke resumes the command processor execution immediately, even if the timeout period has not expired.

  • When used in conjunction with the resource kit's Sleep tool, timeout is similar to the pause command.

Examples

To pause the command processor for ten seconds, type:

timeout /t 10

To pause the command processor for 100 seconds and ignore any keystroke, type:

timeout /t 100 /nobreak

To pause the command processor indefinitely until a key is pressed, type:

timeout /t -1