How to Crash a Computer with a Scary Batch File

Prank your friends with this Matrix-inspired command prompt

Last Updated: June 1, 2023

Ever seen the matrix? Well you can utilize a Matrix style code to crash a computer. With this you can play pranks on friends and family.

Things You Should Know

Use Notepad to enter the necessary code.
Save the file with a .bat extension.
Create a shortcut for the file and replace the icon with something innocuous. Clicking the icon will cause the monitor to crash.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

In All Programs click Accessories, in Accessories click Notepad. For Windows 7, click Start then type in the search bar at the bottom type; Notepad and press enter.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Copy this code into Notepad:
```
 @ 
 echo 
off color 
a cls 
 : 
 top 
 start 
 goto 
 top 
```
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

For example as cmd_prank.bat.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Right click on the file and click Send To, then Desktop.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Go to the Desktop and right click and go to Properties and Change Icon. Make the icon Internet Explorer or the Documents icon.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

To stop this before it happens, pull out the battery or press and hold the power key until it turns off(laptops) or unplug the computer , not the monitor (desktops).

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Instantly Shut Down

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Open notepad and type the following code:
```
kill -f explorer.exe
shutdown -s -f exit 
```
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-10Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

In Notepad, press Ctrl + S , then select "Any" as file type, enter a name with a ".bat" extension, for example "Anything.bat", and click on Save .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-a-%22Scary%22-Batch-File%2C-for-Cmd-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Will it harm the computer in any way?

Community Answer

No. It will not harm your computer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 29
Question

How do I change the message?

Community Answer

Shutdown -s -f -c "Your Comment Here". Replace the "Your Comment Here" with your own message and that's it!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
Question

How do I make a batch file that activates on startup?

Community Answer

Open Notepad and type in: @echo off start "" "cmdprank.bat." Save it as any name, but make sure it has .bat or .cmd at the end of the filename. Then, follow Method 1, not Method 2.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Always check your own computer for a desktop file like this, by seeing if it's a shortcut. If it is, right click and click Edit (if possible). If it seems suspicious delete it.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Use this on someone who is computer illiterate.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you want to make the computer open this file during startup, just save that file to the Startup folder in your user folder. Then, when the computer starts it will crash and be unusable. However, this won’t work in Safe Mode!
Don’t run it on your own computer. Use a virtual PC if you want to test if yourself.
Be careful not to save it as a .vir then open it.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

This may result in an office war.

Thanks
Helpful 33 Not Helpful 2
Also the computer can lose any unsaved open files i.e. Word, Downloads in progress, etc.

Thanks
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 3

Log in

How to Crash a Computer with a Scary Batch File

Things You Should Know

Steps

Instantly Shut Down

Community Q&A

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories