Using previously saved Profiles, MEP can be used directly from the DOS command line, third party software, batch files, macros, or shortcuts. In this tutorial we will discuss the use of automation using the command line, shortcuts, and batch files. (Please be sure to review the tutorial on Profiles before continuing.)

To use MEP from the command line:

  1. Open an MS-Dos Prompt Window.
  2. From the command line type the path to the MEP executable file. If the MEP.exe file is on your Windows 98 Desktop you would type:

    c:\windows\desktop\mep.exe

  3. Next type a space and add the passphrase you want to use. (The passphrase cannot contain spaces.) The command line now should look something like this:

    c:\windows\desktop\mep.exe this_is_my_passphrase

  4. The last thing we need to add to the command line is the name of the saved Profile that MEP will use to determine what settings it should use for the encryption or decryption operation. Type another space and then add the desired Profile name. (The profile name cannot contain spaces either.) This is how the completed command line would look:

    c:\windows\desktop\mep.exe thisismypassphrase profilename

  5. Press the Enter key and MEP will run with all the settings specified in the Profile you chose.
To run MEP from a shortcut:
  1. Right-click an empty space on your Desktop and choose New> from the pop-up menu.
  2. Choose Shortcut from the fly-out menu.
  3. In the Command line: field enter a command line for MEP as we did above.
  4. Press the Next button.
  5. Type in a name for the shortcut and click the Finish button. I suggest using the name of the saved Profile.
  6. A new MEP padlock icon will appear on your Desktop.
  7. To use the new shortcut just double-click it. MEP will run unattended without any further input from you, unless an error occurs.
To run MEP from a batch file:
  1. Open the Start menu | Programs | MS-DOS Prompt.
  2. Make sure that the command prompt is pointing to the Desktop. (It will look like:  c:\windows\desktop\> on Windows 98 or Windows 95.)
  3. At the command prompt type edit MEPTest.bat.
  4. This will open the DOS edit program. On the first line of the file type a command line for MEP per the command line instructions above.
  5. Save the file by pressing Alt-F and then S.
  6. Exit the file by pressing Alt-F and X.
  7. To run your batch file you can double-click its icon from the Desktop or set it up to run at specified intervals. (See the Scheduling tutorial.)
  8. The batch file we created can be made from any word processor. The only thing you have to do is make sure that the filename extension is .bat and that you save the file in ASCII DOS Text format.