Windows cannot find C:\Program…

batch filewindows 10

I'm trying to write a batch file to open gmail in incognito and enter my credentials automatically when the pc starts up. Based on this post I have the following:

@echo off
cls
start %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Google\Chrome\Application\Chrome.exe --incognito "https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=mail&passive=true&rm=false&continue=https://mail.google.com/mail/&ss=1&scc=1&ltmpl=default&ltmplcache=2&emr=1&osid=1#identifier"
exit

However, when I double-click the .bat file, a cmd window appears with an error window in front that says:

Windows cannot find 'C:\Program'. Make sure you typed it correctly, and then try again.

I think cmd is evaluating %ProgramFiles(x86)% without putting quotes around it or something. I'm new to writing bat files, so I'm not sure how to fix this.

Here's some deets about my system: 

Windows 10 Pro 
V. 1607 
OS Build 14393.479
64-bit
Surface Book

Best Answer

Even If you are using the Environment var 

%ProgramFiles(x86)%

usually expands to 

C:\Program Files (x86)

Paths having spaces in them have to be enclosed in quotes

Second is that Start uses the first argument in Quotes as title. See Help Start

This changed batch works as expected:

@echo off
cls
start "" "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Google\Chrome\Application\Chrome.exe" --incognito "https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=mail&passive=true&rm=false&continue=https://mail.google.com/mail/&ss=1&scc=1&ltmpl=default&ltmplcache=2&emr=1&osid=1#identifier"
exit
Related Question