was unexpected at this time

[SCylant]

Neither works..
for /f "tokens=1,2,3 delims=\ " %%a in ("aaa\bbb\ccc") do set sha=%%a&set shb=%%b&set shc=%%c
for /f "tokens=1,2 delims=\ " %%a in ("aaa\bbb\ccc") do set sha=%%a&set shb=%%b&set shc=%%c

%%a was unexpected at this time.
DOS 5.00.500

Thanks

[foxidrive]

Your question is unclear.

Are you using MSDOS V5?

[SCylant]

Yes according to command /k ver, win 7 32, it came with the corporate pc, should still work though, according to help for, or not, I am not sure.
I took the syntax from DOSTips string manipulation samples online. I am passing those lines directly from the command line.

[foxidrive]

MSDOS doesn't have the enhanced FOR commands of the NT series of Windows.