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Dated: Aug. 12, 2004

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DOS

APPEND

(External)

APPEND ;
APPEND [d:]path[;][d:]path[...]
APPEND [/X:on|off][/path:on|off] [/E]

Displays or sets the search path for data files. DOS will search the specified path(s) if the file is not found in the current path.

ASSIGN

(External)

ASSIGN x=y [...] /sta

Redirects disk drive requests to a different drive.

ATTRIB

(External)

ATTRIB [d:][path]filename [/S]
ATTRIB [+R|-R] [+A|-A] [+S|-S] [+H|-H] [d:][path]filename [/S]

Sets or displays the read-only, archive, system, and hidden attributes of a file or directory.

BACKUP

(External)

BACKUP d:[path][filename] d:[/S][/M][/A][/F:(size)] [/P][/D:date] [/T:time] [/L:[path]filename]

Makes a backup copy of one or more files. (In DOS Version 6, this program is stored on the DOS supplemental disk.)

BREAK

(Internal)

BREAK =on|off

Used from the DOS prompt or in a batch file or in the CONFIG.SYS file to set (or display) whether or not DOS should check for a Ctrl + Break key combination.

BUFFERS

(Internal)

BUFFERS=(number),(read-ahead number)

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the number of disk buffers (number) that will be available for use during data input. Also used to set a value for the number of sectors to be read in advance (read-ahead) during data input operations.

CALL

(Internal)

CALL [d:][path]batchfilename [options]

Calls another batch file and then returns to current batch file to continue.

CHCP

(Internal)

CHCP (codepage)

Displays the current code page or changes the code page that DOS will use.

CHDIR

(Internal)

CHDIR (CD) [d:]path
CHDIR (CD)[..]

Displays working (current) directory and/or changes to a different directory.

CHKDSK

(External)

CHKDSK [d:][path][filename] [/F][/V]

Checks a disk and provides a file and memory status report.

CHOICE

(Internal)

CHOICE [/C[:]keys] [/N][/S][/T[:]c,nn] [text]

Used to provide a prompt so that a user can make a choice while a batch program is running.

CLS (Clear Screen)

(Internal)

CLS

Clears (erases) the screen.

COMMAND

(External)

COMMAND [d:][path] [device] [/P][/E:(size)] [/MSG][/Y [/C (command)|/K (command)]

Starts a new version of the DOS command processor (the program that loads the DOS Internal programs).

MS-DOS Command Line TutorialCOMP

(External)

COMP [d:][path][filename] [d:][path][filename] [/A][/C][/D][/L][/N:(number)]

Compares two groups of files to find information that does not match. (See FC command).



COPY

(Internal)

COPY [/Y|-Y] [/A][/B] [d:][path]filename [/A][/B] [d:][path][filename] [/V]
or
COPY [/Y|-Y][/A][/B] [d:][path]filename+[d:][path]filename[...][d:][path][filename] [/V]

Copies and appends files.

COUNTRY

(Internal)

COUNTRY=country code,[code page][,][d:][filename]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS to use country-specific text conventions during processing.

CTTY

(Internal)

CTTY (device)

Changes the standard I/O (Input/Output) device to an auxiliary device.

DATE

(Internal)

DATE mm-dd-yy

Displays and/or sets the system date.

DBLSPACE

(External)

DBLSPACE / automount=drives
DBLSPACE /chkdsk [/F] [d:]
DBLSPACE /compress d: [/newdrive=host:] [/reserve=size] [/F]
DBLSPACE /create d: [/newdrive=host:] [/reserve=size] [/size=size]
DBLSPACE /defragment [d:] ]/F]
DBLSPACE /delete d:
DBLSPACE /doubleguard=0|1
DBLSPACE /format d:
DBLSPACE [/info] [d:]
DBLSPACE /list
DBLSPACE /mount[=nnn] host: [/newdrive=d:]
DBLSPACE /ratio[=ratio] [d:] [/all]
DBLSPACE /size[=size] [/reserve=size] d:
DBLSPACE /uncompress d:
DBLSPACE /unmount [d:]

A program available with DOS 6.0 that allows you to compress information on a disk.

DEBUG

(External)

DEBUG [pathname] [parameters]

An MS-DOS utility used to test and edit programs.

DEFRAG

(External)

DEFRAG [d:] [/F][/S[:]order] [/B][/skiphigh [/LCD|/BW|/GO] [/H]
DEFRAG [d:] [/V][/B][/skiphigh] [/LCD]|/BW|/GO] [/H]

Optimizes disk performance by reorganizing the files on the disk.

DEL (ERASE)

(Internal)

DEL (ERASE) [d:][path]filename [/P]

Deletes (erases) files from disk.

DELOLDOS

(External)

DELOLDOS [/B]

Deletes all files from previous versions of DOS after a 5.0 or 6.0 installation.

DELTREE

(External)

DELTREE [/Y] [d:]path [d:]path[...]

Deletes (erases) a directory including all files and subdirectories that are in it.

DEVICE

(Internal)

DEVICE=(driver name)

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS which device driver to load.

DEVICEHIGH

(Internal)

DEVICEHIGH=(driver name)

Like DEVICE, DEVICEHIGH is used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS which device driver software to use for devices; however, this option is used to install the device driver into the upper memory area.

DIR

(Internal)

DIR [d:][path][filename] [/A:(attributes)] [/O:(order)] [/B][/C][/CH][/L][/S][/P][/W]

Displays directory of files and directories stored on disk.

DISKCOMP

(External)

DISKCOMP [d:] [d:][/1][/8]

Compares the contents of two diskettes.

DISKCOPY

(External)

DISKCOPY [d:] [d:][/1][/V][/M]

Makes an exact copy of a diskette.

DOS

(Internal)

DOS=[high|low],[umb|noumb]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the memory location for DOS. It is used to load DOS into the upper memory area and to specify whether or not the upper memory blocks will be used.

DOSKEY

(External)

DOSKEY [reinstall] [/bufsize=size][/macros][/history][/insert|/overstrike] [macroname=[text]]

Loads the Doskey program into memory which can be used to recall DOS commands so that you can edit them.

DOSSHELL

(External)

DOSSHELL [/B] [/G:[resolution][n]]|[/T:[resolution][n]]

Initiates the graphic shell program using the specified screen resolution.

DRIVPARM

(Internal)

DRIVPARM= /D:(number) [/C] [/F:(form factor)] [/H:(number)] [/I][ /N][/S:(number)] [/T:(tracks)]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set parameters for a disk drive.

ECHO

(Internal)

ECHO on|off
ECHO (message)

Displays messages or turns on or off the display of commands in a batch file.

EDIT

(External)

EDIT [d:][path]filename [/B][/G][/H][/NOHI]

Starts the MS-DOS editor, a text editor used to create and edit ASCII text files.

EMM386

(External)

EMM386 [on|off|auto] [w=on|off]

Enables or disables EMM386 expanded-memory support on a computer with an 80386 or higher processor.

EXE2BIN

(External)

EXE2BIN [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename

Converts .EXE (executable) files to binary format.

EXIT

(Internal)

EXIT

Exits a secondary command processor.

EXPAND

(External)

EXPAND [d:][path]filename [[d:][path]filename[ . . .]]

Expands a compressed file.

FASTHELP

(External)

FASTHELP [command][command] /?

Displays a list of DOS commands with a brief explanation of each.

FASTOPEN

(External)

FASTOPEN d:[=n][/X]

Keeps track of the locations of files for fast access.

FC

(External)

FC [/A][/C][/L][/Lb n][/N][/T][/W][number] [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename

or (for binary comparisons)
FC [/B][/number] [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename

Displays the differences between two files or sets of files.

FCBS

(Internal)

FCBS=(number)

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the number of file-control blocks for file sharing.

FDISK

(External)

FDISK [/status]

Prepares a fixed disk to accept DOS files for storage.

FILES

(Internal)

FILES=(number)

Used in the CONFIG.Sys file to specify the maximum number of files that can be open at the same time.

FIND

(External)

FIND [/V][/C][/I][/N] ÒstringÓ [d:][path]filename[...]

Finds and reports the location of a specific string of text characters in one or more files.

FOR

(Internal)

FOR %%(variable) IN (set) DO (command)

or (for interactive processing)
FOR %(variable) IN (set) DO (command)

Performs repeated execution of commands (for both batch processing and interactive processing).

FORMAT

(External)

FORMAT d:[/1][/4][/8][/F:(size)] [/N:(sectors)] [/T:(tracks)][/B|/S][/C][/V:(label)] [/Q][/U][/V]

Formats a disk to accept DOS files.

GOTO

(Internal)

GOTO (label)

Causes unconditional branch to the specified label.

GRAFTABL

(External)

GRAFTABL [(code page)]
GRAFTABL [status]

Loads a table of character data into memory (for use with a color/graphics adapter).

GRAPHICS

(External)

GRAPHICS [printer type][profile] [/B][/R][/LCD][/PB:(id)] [/C][/F][/P(port)]

Provides a way to print contents of a graphics screen display.

HELP

(External)

HELP [command] [/B][/G][/H][/NOHI]

Displays information about a DOS command.

IF

(Internal)

IF [NOT] EXIST filename (command) [parameters]
IF [NOT] (string1)==(string2) (command) [parameters]
IF [NOT] ERRORLEVEL (number) (command) [parameters]

Allows for conditional operations in batch processing.

INCLUDE

(Internal)

INCLUDE= blockname

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to allow you to use the commands from one CONFIG.SYS block within another.

INSTALL

(Internal)

INSTALL=[d: ][\path]filename [parameters]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to load memory-resident programs into conventional memory.

INTERLINK

(External)

INTERLINK [client[:]=[server][:]]

Connects two computers via parallel or serial ports so that the computers can share disks and printer ports.

INTERSVR

(External)

INTERSVR [d:][...][/X=d:][...] [/LPT:[n|address]] [/COM:[n|address]][/baud:rate] [/B][/V]
INTERSVR /RCOPY

Starts the Interlink server.

JOIN

(External)

JOIN d: [d:path]
JOIN d: [/D]

Allows access to the directory structure and files of a drive through a directory on a different drive.

KEYB

(External)

KEYB [xx][,][yyy][,][d:][path]filename [/E][/ID:(number)]

Loads a program that replaces the support program for U. S. keyboards.

LABEL

(External)

LABEL [d:][volume label]

Creates or changes or deletes a volume label for a disk.

LASTDRIVE

(Internal)

LASTDRIVE=(drive letter)

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the maximum number of drives that can be accessed.

LOADFIX

(Internal)

LOADFIX [d:][path]filename [parameters]

Ensures that a program is loaded above the first 64K of conventional memory, and runs the program.

LOADHIGH

(Internal)

LOADHIGH (LH) [d:][path]filename [parameters]

Loads memory resident application into reserved area of memory (between 640K-1M).

MEM

(External)

MEM [/program|/debug|/classify|/free|/module(name)] [/page]

Displays amount of installed and available memory, including extended, expanded, and upper memory.

MEMMAKER

(External)

MEMMAKER [/B][/batch][/session][/swap:d] [/T][/undo][/W:size1,size2]

Starts the MemMaker program, a program that lets you optimize your computer's memory.

MENUCOLOR

(Internal)

MENUCOLOR=textcolor,[background]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the colors that will be used by DOS to display text on the screen.

MENUDEFAULT

(Internal)

MENUDEFAULT=blockname, [timeout]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the startup configuration that will be used by DOS if no key is pressed within the specified timeout period.

MENUITEM

(Internal)

MENUITEM=blockname, [menutext]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to create a start-up menu from which you can select a group of CONFIG.SYS commands to be processed upon reboot.

MIRROR

(External)

MIRROR [d:]path [d:] path [...]
MIRROR [d1:][d2:][...] [/T(drive)(files)] [/partn][/U][/1]

Saves disk storage information that can be used to recover accidentally erased files.

MKDIR

(MD) (Internal)

MKDIR (MD) [d:]path

Creates a new subdirectory.

MODE

(External)

MODE n
MODE LPT#[:][n][,][m][,][P][retry]
MODE [n],m[,T]
MODE (displaytype,linetotal)
MODE COMn[:]baud[,][parity][,][databits][,][stopbits][,][retry]
MODE LPT#[:]=COMn [retry]
MODE CON[RATE=(number)][DELAY=(number)]
MODE (device) CODEPAGE PREPARE=(codepage) [d:][path]filename
MODE (device) CODEPAGE PREPARE=(codepage list) [d:][path]filename
MODE (device) CODEPAGE SELECT=(codepage)
MODE (device) CODEPAGE [/STATUS]
MODE (device) CODEPAGE REFRESH

Sets mode of operation for devices or communications.

MORE

(External)

MORE < (filename or command)
(name)|MORE

Sends output to console, one screen at a time.

MOVE

(Internal)

MOVE [/Y|/-Y] [d:][path]filename[,[d:][path]filename[...]] destination

Moves one or more files to the location you specify. Can also be used to rename directories.

MSAV

(External)

MSAV [d:] [/S|/C][/R][/A][/L][/N][/P][/F][/video][/mouse]
MSAV /video

Scans your computer for known viruses.

MSBACKUP

(External)

MSBACKUP [setupfile] [/BW|/LCD|/MDA]

Used to backup or restore one or more files from one disk to another.

MSCDEX

(External)

MSCDEX /D:driver [/D:driver2. . .] [/E][/K][/S][/V][/L:letter] [/M:number]

Used to gain access to CD-ROM drives (new with DOS Version 6).

MSD

(External)

MSD [/B][/I]
MSD [/I] [/F[d:][path]filename [/P[d:][path]filename [/S[d:][path]filename

Provides detailed technical information about your computer.

NLSFUNC

(External)

NLSFUNC [d:][path]filename

Used to load a file with country-specific information.

NUMLOCK

(Internal)

NUMLOCK=on|off

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the state of the NumLock key.

PATH

(Internal)

PATH;
PATH [d:]path[;][d:]path[...]

Sets or displays directories that will be searched for programs not in the current directory.

PAUSE

(Internal)

PAUSE [comment]

Suspends execution of a batch file until a key is pressed.

POWER

(External)

POWER [adv:max|reg|min]|std|off]

Used to turn power management on and off, report the status of power management, and set levels of power conservation.

PRINT

(External)

PRINT [/B:(buffersize)] [/D:(device)] [/M:(maxtick)] [/Q:(value] [/S:(timeslice)][/U:(busytick)] [/C][/P][/T] [d:][path][filename] [...]

Queues and prints data files.

PROMPT

(Internal)

PROMPT [prompt text] [options]

Changes the DOS command prompt.

RECOVER

(External)

RECOVER [d:][path]filename
RECOVER d:

Resolves sector problems on a file or a disk. (Beginning with DOS Version 6, RECOVER is no longer available ).

REM

(Internal)

REM [comment]

Used in batch files and in the CONFIG.SYS file to insert remarks (that will not be acted on).

RENAME (REN)

(Internal)

RENAME (REN) [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename

Changes the filename under which a file is stored.

REPLACE

(External)

REPLACE [d:][path]filename [d:][path] [/A][/P][/R][/S][/U][/W]

Replaces stored files with files of the same name from a different storage location.

RESTORE

(External)

RESTORE d: [d:][path]filename [/P][/S][/B:mm-dd-yy] [/A:mm-dd-yy][/E:hh:mm:ss] [/L:hh:mm:ss] [/M][/N][/D]

Restores to standard disk storage format files previously stored using the BACKUP command.

RMDIR (RD)

(Internal)

RMDIR (RD) [d:]path

Removes a subdirectory.

SCANDISK

(External)

SCANDISK [d: [d: . . .]|/all][/checkonly|/autofix[/nosave]|/custom][/surface][/mono][/nosummay]
SCANDISK volume-name[/checkonly|/autofix[/nosave]|/custom][/mono][/nosummary]
SCANDISK /fragment [d:][path]filename
SCANDISK /undo [undo-d:][/mono]

Starts the Microsoft ScanDisk program which is a disk analysis and repair tool used to check a drive for errors and correct any problems that it finds.

SELECT

(External)

SELECT [d:] [d:][path] [country code][keyboard code]

Formats a disk and installs country-specific information and keyboard codes (starting with DOS Version 6, this command is no longer available).

SET

(Internal)

SET (string1)=(string2)

Inserts strings into the command environment. The set values can be used later by programs.

SETVER

(External)

SETVER [d:]:path][filename (number)][/delete][/quiet]

Displays the version table and sets the version of DOS that is reported to programs.

SHARE

(External)

SHARE [/F:space] [/L:locks]

Installs support for file sharing and file locking.

SHELL

(Internal)

SHELL=[d:][path]filename [parameters]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the command interpreter that DOS should use.

SHIFT

(Internal)

SHIFT

Increases number of replaceable parameters to more than the standard ten for use in batch files.

SORT

(External)

SORT [/R][/+n] < (filename)
SORT [/R][/+n] > (filename2)

Sorts input and sends it to the screen or to a file.

STACKS

(Internal)

STACKS=(number),(size)

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the number of stack frames and the size of each stack frame.

SUBMENU

(Internal)

SUBMENU=blockname, [menutext]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to create a multilevel menu from which you can select start-up options.

SUBST

(External)

SUBST d: d:path
SUBST d: /D

Substitutes a virtual drive letter for a path designation.

SWITCHES

(Internal)

SWITCHES= [/K][/F][/N][/W]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to configure DOS in a special way; for example, to tell DOS to emulate different hardware configurations.

SYS

(External)

SYS [source] d:

Transfers the operating system files to another disk.

TIME

(Internal)

TIME hh:mm[:ss][.cc][A|P]

Displays current time setting of system clock and provides a way for you to reset the time.

TREE

(External)

TREE [d:][path] [/A][/F]

Displays directory paths and (optionally) files in each subdirectory.

TYPE

(Internal)

TYPE [d:][path]filename

Displays the contents of a file.

UNDELETE

(External)

UNDELETE [d:][path][filename] [/DT|/DS|/DOS]
UNDELETE [/list|/all|/purge[d:]|/status|/load|/U|/S[d:]|/Td:[-entries]]

Restores files deleted with the DELETE command.

UNFORMAT

(External)

UNFORMAT d: [/J][/L][/test][/partn][/P][/U]

Used to undo the effects of formatting a disk.

VER

(Internal)

VER

Displays the DOS version number.

VERIFY

(Internal)

VERIFY on|off

Turns on the verify mode; the program checks all copying operations to assure that files are copied correctly.

VOL

(Internal)

VOL [d:]

Displays a disk's volume label.

VSAFE

(External)

VSAFE [/option[+|-]...] [/NE][/NX][Ax|/Cx] [/N][/D][/U]

VSAFE is a memory-resident program that continuously monitors your computer for viruses and displays a warning when it finds one.

XCOPY

(External)

XCOPY [d:][path]filename [d:][path][filename] [/A][/D:(date)] [/E][/M][/P][/S][/V][/W][Y\-Y]
Copies directories, subdirectories, and files.

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aniket's Comment
really helpful site to get some review of some good old commands to self assess
26 Thu Jul 2012
Admin's Reply:

Thanks




Abdallah's Comment
this site so good .bc it helped us so much thanks allot .
23 Wed May 2012
Admin's Reply:

You're welcome, and thanks for such kind words.




Ahmet's Comment
Of course, you could also just use PHP's built-in funntiocs for this:
23 Mon Apr 2012
Admin's Reply:

You sure could Ahmet. However, this is a Windows Batch Scripting Tutorial. I can simply use MS Excel to do a lot of things that people many'a times use Batch Scripts for. So there are more than 1 way to get to the end result.




KYSLAH's Comment
VERY USEFUL BUT IT WILL BE PERFECT IN VIDEO FORM
22 Wed Feb 2012
Admin's Reply:

 Hi Kylash

well that's a good suggestion. we will think about it but right now due to limited resources that option is not possible to implement right away.

 




Tess's Comment
All of my questions settled-tnhaks!
15 Wed Feb 2012
Admin's Reply:

 You are welcome Tess. we are very happy to know that out effort help you out.




Holen's Comment
This is one of my favorite websites, thank you for interesting topics which aired in this site. I will share to my blog. Thank you very much
15 Thu Sep 2011
Admin's Reply:

 Thank you Holen :)




Fatherless boy's Comment
Thanks SOOOOOOO MUCHHHHHH
23 Thu Dec 2010
Admin's Reply:

You're Welcome!




Oheneba Twum's Comment
Please i you to send me everything on MS Dos command
18 Mon Oct 2010
Admin's Reply:

Sorry, can't do that. But you're welcome to visit this site as often as you like.




dhirendra's Comment
commands are very useful give some batch file examples which accomplish our weekly task related to OS environment and maintenance
10 Sun Oct 2010
Admin's Reply:



Paul's Comment
Anyway I found another way out. Create an IF conditioned goto command and at the target run the application. Include this at the IF tutorial, goto command and switches.
10 Sat Jul 2010
Admin's Reply:

Would you like to explain that in a TechiWarehouse.Com article?




Paul's Comment
Very nice but though something is missing: HOW TO RUN APPLICATIONS CONDITIONED BY THE if COMMAND?
09 Fri Jul 2010
Admin's Reply:

Paul, you asked a good question. Maybe we should do a small tutorial on this subject.




Emmanuel Adjei's Comment
everything on MS DOS
31 Mon May 2010
Admin's Reply:

We'll try to come up with more MS Dos content soon .




rajat's Comment
its good for the students.for a learner it is very nice.
20 Tue Apr 2010
Admin's Reply:

Thanks Rajat .




Venkatesan.M's Comment
good learning site
26 Fri Feb 2010
Admin's Reply:

Thanks Friend




barkha's Comment
hi send me the dos commands for remote desktop and server seting rest iis
13 Sat Feb 2010
Admin's Reply:

Sorry Barkha, I don't know those.




sathish's Comment
Superb
24 Sun Jan 2010
Admin's Reply:

Thanks Satish




jinesh's Comment
at
21 Thu Jan 2010
Admin's Reply:

Ok




om aryan's Comment
i lik ur tutorial bt i know more knowledge abt this .
06 Sun Dec 2009
Admin's Reply:

Thanks for your visit




job gichuki's Comment
it is useful but needs more demostration on each comand
20 Tue Oct 2009
Admin's Reply: you're so right. i think we should have a new more thorough add on to this tutorial.