diff --git a/DAMASK_env.bat b/DAMASK_env.bat
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..751237800
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DAMASK_env.bat
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+:: sets up an environment for DAMASK on Windows
+:: usage:  call DAMASK_env.bat
+@echo off
+set LOCATION=%~dp0
+set DAMASK_ROOT=%LOCATION%\DAMASK
+set DAMASK_NUM_THREADS=2
+chcp 1252
+Title Düsseldorf Advanced Materials Simulation Kit - DAMASK, MPIE Düsseldorf
+echo.
+echo Düsseldorf Advanced Materials Simulation Kit - DAMASK
+echo Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf
+echo http://damask.mpie.de
+echo.
+echo Preparing environment ...
+echo DAMASK_ROOT=%DAMASK_ROOT%
+echo DAMASK_NUM_THREADS=%DAMASK_NUM_THREADS%
+set DAMASK_BIN=%DAMASK_ROOT%\bin
+set PATH=%PATH%;%DAMASK_BIN%
+set PYTHONPATH=%PYTHONPATH%;%DAMASK_ROOT%\lib