Batch script cannot open IE

Question

I have a batch script which needs to be executed by a third party application in Win 2008 server machine.

The contents of the batch file is as follows:

@echo off
dir C:\ > D:\newfile
start "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" www.google.com

Whenever my application runs the batch file, the file "newfile" is created, but IE is never opened. But when I execute the batch script from command line or simply double clicking it, it works and IE is also opened.

I tried changing the security properties of IE and gave everyone all permissions, but still doesn't work.

I essentially work in Linux and have very limited knowledge about Windows user, group, owner.