How to Run a BootIt BM Script or Program Using BootNow

One feature of the free BootNow utility is the ability to invoke BootIt BM scripts and programs from within Windows. This article will explain how to use this feature.

Before using this feature of BootNow, you must first have at least one script or program on the BootIt BM partition. You must also know the exact name of the script or program you wish to invoke with BootNow. For example, you might create a script named bkwin7.tbs to back up your Windows partition using Image for DOS (GUI). The script can be saved directly from Image for DOS.

Please note the following:

• Before BootNow can be used with BootIt BM, the BootNow Support option in BootIt BM must first be enabled.
  
  
• Under Windows NT/2000/XP/2003, BootNow must be run by a user account that is a member of the Administrators group. If needed, the Run As command may be used. Please refer to the Windows documentation or the Microsoft article How to enable and use the "Run As" command when running programs in Windows for more information.
  
  
• Under Windows Vista and Windows 7/8.x/10, BootNow must be run as an administrator. If UAC is enabled, this will trigger the UAC prompt. If BootNow is not run as an administrator, it will not be able to access the drive and perform the reboot.
  

Setting Up BootNow to Run a Script or Program

1. Download the latest version of the BootNow utility, if you have not already done so.
   
   
2. Extract the contents of the BootNow archive to the desired folder on your hard drive.
   
   
   • If you are using the "Compressed Folders" feature available under certain versions of Windows, please refer to the Special Note for Opening ZIP Files Using Compressed Folders.
   
   
3. Create a shortcut to BOOTNOW.EXE (for example, on the Windows Desktop).
   
   
4. Open the properties of the shortcut by right-clicking it and selecting Properties from the context menu that appears.
   
   
5. You must now modify the string that appears in the Target box of the Shortcut tab. You have several options, depending on what action, if any, you want taken after BootIt BM executes the script or program.
   
   Several examples are shown below:
   
   BOOTNOW.EXE /Shutdown/run=bkupwin7.tbs
   The system will reboot, BootIt BM will execute the bkupwin7.tbs script, and the system will then be shut down. (The power state of the system after using this option will depend on the system configuration.)
   
   BOOTNOW.EXE 1/run=filename.ext
   The system will reboot, BootIt BM will execute the script, program, or list of programs specified by filename.ext, and then the first boot menu item will be booted.
   
   BOOTNOW.EXE Windows 8/run=bksystem.run
   The system will reboot, BootIt BM will execute the bksystem.run script, and then the boot menu item named Windows 8 will be booted.
   
   Note: There should not be a space between the /run option and the preceding option. Please see the BootNow README file for additional options and details.
   
   
6. If you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7/8.x/10 and have UAC enabled (the default), you will need to set up the shortcut to run as an administrator. To do this, click on the Compatibility tab and check the Run this program as an administrator option.
   
   
7. Click OK to save the changes to the BootNow shortcut.