How to make SHIFT work with %* in batch files

Question

In my batch file on Windows XP, I want to use %* to expand to all parameters except the first.
Test file (foo.bat):

Answer 1

That´s easy:

setlocal ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
  set "_args=%*"
  set "_args=!_args:*%1 =!"

  echo/%_args%
endlocal

Same thing with comments:

:: Enable use of ! operator for variables (! works as % after % has been processed)
setlocal ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
  set "_args=%*"
  :: Remove %1 from %*
  set "_args=!_args:*%1 =!"
  :: The %_args% must be used here, before 'endlocal', as it is a local variable
  echo/%_args%
endlocal

Example:

lets say %* is "1 2 3 4":

setlocal ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION
  set "_args=%*"             --> _args=1 2 3 4
  set "_args=!_args:*%1 =!"  --> _args=2 3 4

  echo/%_args%
endlocal

Remarks:

• Does not work if any argument contains the ! or & char
• Any extra spaces in between arguments will NOT be removed
• %_args% must be used before endlocal, because it is a local variable
• If no arguments entered, %_args% returns * =
• Does not shift if only 1 argument entered