The /batch option assumes that CL is being executed from a batch file. Usually, if CL cannot find one of the compiler pass files (for instance, C1.EXE or C2.EXE) or one of the utilities (such as LINK.EXE or CVPACK.EXE), it displays a prompt requesting the appropriate full-path filename. If you specify the /batch option, CL simply terminates compilation with an error.