DOS Commands

Subject: DOS Commands Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:45 pm

Built-In and Batch File Commands

The following commands are implemented by CMD.EXE and perform basic file and console window

management functions as well as provide the basis for the batch file programming language.

Program Purpose

assoc:Associates filename extensions with file types

break: Causes breakpoint if cmd is run in a debugger

call : Calls subroutines (batch files)

cd :Challenges the current working directory (same as chdir)

chcp: Changes the console code page

chdir :Changes the current working directory

cls :Clears the command prompt window

cmd :Command shell

color :Changes the Command Prompt window color

Program Purpose

copy :Copies files and/or folders

date :Displays or sets the date

del :Deletes files (same as erase)

dir :Displays a file directory

echo: Displays text

endlocal: Restores environment variables

erase: Deletes files (same as del)

exit :Ends a program or subroutine

for :Repeat command (many options)

ftype :Associates file types to "open" commands

goto :Goes to the label in a batch file

help :Displays command-line program usage information

if :Executes a command conditionally

md: Creates a directory (same as mkdir)

mkdir: Creates a directory (same as md)

move :Moves files or folders

path :Sets the command search path

pause :Stops a batch file until the user presses Enter

popd: Restores the current directory

promp: Sets the command-line prompt

pushd :Saves the current directory

rd: Removes a directory (same as rmdir)

rem: Remarks or comments text

ren :Renames files or folders (same as rename)

rename Renames files or folders (same as ren)

rmdir Removes a directory (same as rd)

set Sets environment variables

setlocal Saves the current environment

shift Deletes and moves command-line arguments

start Runs a command or opens a document in a new window

Program Purpose

Time Displays and sets the time of day

title Sets the window title

type Copies a text file to the console window

ver Displays the operating system version

verify Controls automatic verify-after-write

vol Displays disk volume label

DOS Commands

The following programs are provided for compatibility with DOS programs and legacy DOS batch files.

Program Purpose

append Makes directories appear "local" (archaic)

command MS-DOS command shell

debug Debugs programs (archaic)

diskcomp Compares two floppy disks

diskcopy Copies a floppy disk

doskey Command-line aliases and editing extensions

dosx DOS Extender, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT

edit Edits text files

edlin Edits text files (primeval)

exe2bin Converts EXE files to COM files (archaic)

fastopen Does nothing on Windows XP

forcedos Runs a program in the MS-DOS environment

graftabl Enables the display of graphics characters in the MS-DOS

environment

graphics Loads the graphics printer driver (obsolete)

loadfix Runs a program above the first 64KB of memory

loadhigh Loads an MS-DOS TSR program into high memory

mem Displays free memory in the MS-DOS subsystem

mode Configures port, display, and keyboard settings

mscdexnt MS CD Extensions, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT

nlsfunc Loads country/region information

Program Purpose

ntvdm MS-DOS virtual machine environment

nw16 NetWare 16-bit redirector, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT

print Copies a file to a local LPT-port printer

redir Networking redirector, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT

setver Lies about the MS-DOS version to old applications

share Does nothing on Windows XP

subst Maps a drive letter to a local folder

vwipxspx NetWare protocol stack, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT

File-Management Commands

The following commands manage files, disks, and directories.

Most GUI disk-management programs and tools have command-line counterparts.

Program Purpose

attrib Displays and sets file/folder attributes

cacls Displays and modifies NTFS permissions

chkdsk Checks and repairs file system integrity

chkntfs Schedules automatic chkdsk at boot time

cipher Encrypts and decrypts files and folders

comp Compares files

compact Enables and disables file and folder compression

convert Schedules the conversion of a volume from FAT to NTFS

defrag Defragments a disk volume

diantz Compress files into a CAB file (same as makecab)

diskpart Manages disk partitions

expand Expands a file from a CAB file

fc Compares files

find Finds text in files

findstr Finds text in files using regular expressions

format Formats a fixed or removable disk

label Sets the volume label on a disk or mount point

Program Purpose

makecab Compresses files into a CAB file

mountvol Creates, deletes, and lists volume mount points

recover Extracts data from a damaged disk

replace Replaces files

tree Displays the directory structure

xcopy Copies multiple files