What Does Automatically Executed Batch File (autoexec.bat) Mean?

The automatically executed batch file, abbreviated with the file name autoexec.bat, is a system file on older DOS operating systems that provides a list of boot commands. Autoexec.bat provides an alternative to manually inputting each boot command as the computer starts up. The automatically executed batch file was often included in Windows designs around the turn of the millennium as a plain text batch file located in the root directory.

Techopedia Explains Automatically Executed Batch File (autoexec.bat)

DOS-based systems would read the automatically executed batch file to collect different types of commands for booting up the computer. For example, autoexec.bat might provide initiation for device drivers, or provide helpful commands for using virus scanners or other tools.