List of DOS commands

A list of DOS commands for Microsoft's DOS operating system. follows. Beginning with version 6.0, the user could also get help by typing HELP in the shell prompt. Square brackets indicate optional, quotation marks mean instead of typing the exact words wanted when used.

Commands

attrib

Changes attributes of a file

Syntax - attrib "attribute string" "filename|wildcards"

Options

• To add an attribute attach a '+' in front of it.
• To remove an attribute attach a '-' in front of it
• Attributes include
  • A - Archived (used mainly by file archiving software)
  • H - Hidden
  • S - System
  • R - Read-only

cd or chdir

Change current directory

Syntax - cd "directoryname"

cls

Clears the screen, except for the command prompt.

copy

Copies a file from one location to another.

Syntax - copy "source" "destination"

del

Deletes a file. This commands accepts wildcards

Syntax - del "filename|wildcards"

deltree

Deletes a complete directory tree along with the files in the directories and subdirectories.

Syntax - deltree "directory"

dir

Main article: Dir (DOS Command)

Displays contents of a directory.

Syntax - dir "[filelist]" "[options]"

Options

• /w : Wide list format
• /p : Pause at every page
• /s : Also look in subdirectories
• /a[xx] : Display files with the specified attributes only
• /o[xx] : Modifies sort order

format

Delete all the files on the disk and reformat it for MS-DOS

Syntax - format "drive"

In most cases, this should only be used on floppy drives or other removable media. This command can potentially erase everything on a computer's hard disk.

/autotest is an undocumented feature. Adding it formats the drive without a confirmation prompt.

interLnk

MS-DOS 6 and above command to network PCs using a null modem cable. See also: null-modem.

label

labels the C:\ drive

Syntax - label master drive

md or mkdir

Create a directory

Syntax - md "directory name"

more

Pages through the output so that you can view more than one screen of text

Syntax - "command" | more

move

Moves a file

Syntax - move "source" "target"

pcpark

Parks the hard disk(s) (stops their turning) in order to enable safe shutdown; only used on early versions

Syntax - pcpark

rd or rmdir

Remove a directory

Syntax - rd "directory name"

ren

Renames a file

Syntax - ren "oldname" "newname"

restart

Restarts the computer, on many motherboards

Syntax - restart

time and date

Set/display the date and time

Syntax - date

Syntax - time

tree

Shows the directory tree of the current directory

Syntax - tree

tree [drive:] [/F] [/A] [>] [PRN] [*.txt]

drive: (Choose drive origin of specific folder or whole drive. Example: C: or C:\ No need to enter drive: if already in folder you want to tree.)

/F (Displays the names of the files in each folder.)

/A (Use ASCII instead of the extended characters.)

> (Send results to)

PRN (Printer)

*.txt (replace * with name of txt file. Can replace txt file with

other document file extensions. Change Font in windows to Terminal

to make text and drawing look like DOS.)

type

Display an ASCII file

Syntax - type "filename"

ver

Shows the version of MS-DOS you are using

Syntax - ver

Some versions of MS-DOS support an undocumented /r switch, which will show the revision as well as the version.

xcopy

Copy files and directorys

Syntax - xcopy "source" /s