DOS COMMAND
This is the complete list of DOS Commands from DOS 6.22
ansi.sys Defines functions that control cursor movement, reassign keys, and change display graphics. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
append Allows programs to open files in different directories as if they are in the current directory.
attrib Modifies the file or directory attribute. If used with no parameters, the file attributes are shown for all the files in the current directory.
autoexec.bat Is the startup file that runs when your computer is started and executes any commands specified from the top down.
break
Enables or disables extended Ctrl+C checking The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
buffers
Allocates memory for a specified number of disk buffers. This command only works in the CONFIG.SYS file.
cd, chdir Changes or shows the current directory.
chcp Shows or changes the number of the active code page.
chkdsk
Shows a status report for a disk. It can also find and repair errors. If no parameters are given, the status of the current drive is shown.
choice Is used in batch program to prompt the user to make a choice. If used without any parameters it will prompt for yes (Y) or no (N). ERRORLEVEL is set to the offset of the presses key.
cls Clears the screen.
command Starts a new instance of the MS-DOS command interpreter. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
config.sys Is a text file used to add device drivers to the operating system and configure how the operating system performs.
copy Copies one or more files to a specified location or combines several files into one.
country Enables the use of country specific conventions for showing times, dates and currency. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
ctty Changes the terminal device used to control the computer.
date Shows the current date and prompts for a new date if no date is specified.
debug Tests and debugs MS-DOS executable files, when the program starts a command prompt is invoked where the debug commands are typed in.
defrag Reorganizes the files to optimize disk performance.
del, erase Deletes one or more files.
deltree Deletes a directory, including any file or directory it contains.
device Loads a device driver into memory. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
devicehigh Loads a device driver into the upper memory area.
dir Lists of the files and subdirectories.
diskcomp "Compares the contents of two floppy disks. If no parameter is given, the active drive is used
diskcopy Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another. If no parameters is given the current drive are used as both or if only the first is specified the current is used as the second.
DOS Loads parts of MS-DOS into the High Memory Area (HMA) and / or maintain a link to the Upper Memory Block (UMB). This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
doskey Recalls and edits command lines previously written. Also used to create macros.
dosshell Starts the MS-DOS Shell in either in graphic or text mode.
driver.sys Creates a logical drive that can refer to a physical floppy disk. This driver must be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file.
drivparm Defines parameters for devices (such as disk and tape drives), when MS-DOS starts. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
drvspace Drvspace is used to compress or configure hard drives or floppy disks that were compressed by DriveSpace
echo Show or hides text in batch programs.
edit Is a ASCII editor that creates and edits ASCII files. If no parameters are given, the editor starts with a blank document.
emm386 Provides access to the upper memory area and simulates expanded memory with extended memory. Must be loaded with syntax 1 in CONFIG.SYS before it can be used at the command line.
exit Exits the MS-DOS command interpreter and return to the program that started it.
expand Expands compressed files.
fasthelp Shows help on the specified command. If no command is specified all commands in MS-DOS is shown.
fastopen Improves performance on computer with large directories. This is done by monitoring the location of files stored on the hard disk, and storing that information.
fc Identifies the difference between two files.
fcbs Specifies the number of file control blocks (FCBs) that MS-DOS can have open at the same time. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
fdisk Is a disk partition utility. It can create or delete a partition, set active partition, or show partition information.
files Specifies how many files MS-DOS can access at one time. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
find Searches for text strings in a file or files.
for Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files. Syntax 1 is for use at the command prompt and syntax 2 used in a batch program.
format Formats the specified disk.
goto Jumps to the location marked by the specified label. This command can only be used in a batch program.
graphics Loads a program into memory that will allow MS-DOS to print the contents of the screen when using a color or graphics adapter.
help Starts MS-DOS Help and shows help on the specified command or if none given show all available topics.
himem.sys Is an extended memory manager that coordinates the use of the computer's extended memory, including the high memory area (HMA). This driver can only be loaded in CONFIG.SYS.
if Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
include Includes the content of one configuration block within another. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
install Instalsl a memory resident program into memory when MS-DOS starts. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
interlnk Shares disks and printer ports between two computers using parallel or serial ports. The INTERLNK.EXE driver must be installed using the second syntax in the CONFIG.SYS file.
intersvr Starts the Interlink server that redirects drives.
keyb Configures a keyboard for a specific language. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
label Creates, renames, or erases a volume label.
lastdrive Specifies the maximum numbers of drives that can be accessed. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
lh, loadhigh Loads a program into the upper memory area.
loadfix Loads a program above the first 64K of conventional memory and then runs it.
md, mkdir Creates a new directory.
mem Shows the amount of used and free memory in your system. If used without an option it will display the status of the MS-DOS subsystem's memory usage.
memmaker Is a memory optimization program that optimizes the computers memory by moving memory-resident programs and device drivers to upper memory.
menucolor Sets the text and background color for the startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
menudefault Specifies the default menu item on the startup menu and set the time to wait before starting using this menu item, can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
menuitem Defines an item on the startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
mode Shows, changes or configure system devices. If used without parameters status of all devices is shown or if any actions are used without options the status for that device is shown.
more Shows one screen of information at a time.
move Moves files or renames directories.
msav Scans the computer for viruses.
msbackup Starts Microsoft Backup, which backs up or restores files.
mscdex Provides access to CD-ROM drives.
msd Shows technical information about the computer or writes the information to a file.
nlsfunc Loads country specific information for national language support. Use the second syntax in the CONFIG.SYS file.
numlock Specifies whether the NUM LOCK key is set to ON or OFF when the computer start. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
path Lists of directories that MS-DOS should search for executable files.
pause Pauses a batch file processing. A message prompts the user to press any key to continue. This command can only be used in a batch program.
power Reduces the power used by the computer. If used without any option the current setting is shown.
print Prints a text file while you are using other MS-DOS commands.
prompt Changes the appearance of the command prompt.
qbasic Is an editor and compiler for the Basic computer language.
ramdrive.sys Ramdrive.sys uses part of the systems memory (RAM) to simulate a hard disk drive, must be loaded by device in config.sys
rd, rmdir Removes an empty directory
rem Adds comments or disables commands in a batch file.
ren, rename Renames a file.
replace Replaces files in the target directory with the files in the source directory that have the same names.
restore Restores backup files created with the backup command.
scandisk Checks a drive for errors and then corrects them. If used without any parameters the current drive is checked for errors.
set Sets, shows, or removes MS-DOS environment variables
setup Setup instalsl MS-DOS 6.22
setver Reports a different MS-DOS version to a program than the one currently running. If used without any parameters the current setver table is shown.
share Enables file sharing and file locking capabilities. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
shell Specifies the name and location of the command interpreter to use. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
shift Shifts the command line argument one step to the left.
smartdrv Creates a disk cache in extended memory to accelerate up MS-DOS disk operations.
sort Sorts input data and writes the result to a file, screen, or device
stacks Supports the dynamic use of data stacks to handle hardware interrupts. Can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
submenu Creates a submenu in a startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
subst Maps a virtual drive to a directory. If used without any parameters all the active mappings are shown.
switches Specifies special MS-DOS options. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
sys Creates a bootable disk by copying the system files to it.
time Shows the current time or sets the computers internal clock.
tree Shows a graphical representation of a directory structure.
type Shows the contents of a text file.
undelete Restores files that were deleted using the del command.
Unformat Restores a disk that was erased using the FORMAT command or restructured using the RECOVER command.
ver Shows the version number of MS-DOS.
Verify Specifies that MS-DOS should verify that write operations are done correctly.
vol Shows the disk volume label and serial number.
vsafe Is a memory resident virus scanner that displays a warning when a virus is found.
xcopy Copies files, directories, and subdirectories, except hidden and system files.
ansi.sys Defines functions that control cursor movement, reassign keys, and change display graphics. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
append Allows programs to open files in different directories as if they are in the current directory.
attrib Modifies the file or directory attribute. If used with no parameters, the file attributes are shown for all the files in the current directory.
autoexec.bat Is the startup file that runs when your computer is started and executes any commands specified from the top down.
break
Enables or disables extended Ctrl+C checking The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
buffers
Allocates memory for a specified number of disk buffers. This command only works in the CONFIG.SYS file.
cd, chdir Changes or shows the current directory.
chcp Shows or changes the number of the active code page.
chkdsk
Shows a status report for a disk. It can also find and repair errors. If no parameters are given, the status of the current drive is shown.
choice Is used in batch program to prompt the user to make a choice. If used without any parameters it will prompt for yes (Y) or no (N). ERRORLEVEL is set to the offset of the presses key.
cls Clears the screen.
command Starts a new instance of the MS-DOS command interpreter. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
config.sys Is a text file used to add device drivers to the operating system and configure how the operating system performs.
copy Copies one or more files to a specified location or combines several files into one.
country Enables the use of country specific conventions for showing times, dates and currency. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
ctty Changes the terminal device used to control the computer.
date Shows the current date and prompts for a new date if no date is specified.
debug Tests and debugs MS-DOS executable files, when the program starts a command prompt is invoked where the debug commands are typed in.
defrag Reorganizes the files to optimize disk performance.
del, erase Deletes one or more files.
deltree Deletes a directory, including any file or directory it contains.
device Loads a device driver into memory. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
devicehigh Loads a device driver into the upper memory area.
dir Lists of the files and subdirectories.
diskcomp "Compares the contents of two floppy disks. If no parameter is given, the active drive is used
diskcopy Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another. If no parameters is given the current drive are used as both or if only the first is specified the current is used as the second.
DOS Loads parts of MS-DOS into the High Memory Area (HMA) and / or maintain a link to the Upper Memory Block (UMB). This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
doskey Recalls and edits command lines previously written. Also used to create macros.
dosshell Starts the MS-DOS Shell in either in graphic or text mode.
driver.sys Creates a logical drive that can refer to a physical floppy disk. This driver must be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file.
drivparm Defines parameters for devices (such as disk and tape drives), when MS-DOS starts. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
drvspace Drvspace is used to compress or configure hard drives or floppy disks that were compressed by DriveSpace
echo Show or hides text in batch programs.
edit Is a ASCII editor that creates and edits ASCII files. If no parameters are given, the editor starts with a blank document.
emm386 Provides access to the upper memory area and simulates expanded memory with extended memory. Must be loaded with syntax 1 in CONFIG.SYS before it can be used at the command line.
exit Exits the MS-DOS command interpreter and return to the program that started it.
expand Expands compressed files.
fasthelp Shows help on the specified command. If no command is specified all commands in MS-DOS is shown.
fastopen Improves performance on computer with large directories. This is done by monitoring the location of files stored on the hard disk, and storing that information.
fc Identifies the difference between two files.
fcbs Specifies the number of file control blocks (FCBs) that MS-DOS can have open at the same time. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
fdisk Is a disk partition utility. It can create or delete a partition, set active partition, or show partition information.
files Specifies how many files MS-DOS can access at one time. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
find Searches for text strings in a file or files.
for Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files. Syntax 1 is for use at the command prompt and syntax 2 used in a batch program.
format Formats the specified disk.
goto Jumps to the location marked by the specified label. This command can only be used in a batch program.
graphics Loads a program into memory that will allow MS-DOS to print the contents of the screen when using a color or graphics adapter.
help Starts MS-DOS Help and shows help on the specified command or if none given show all available topics.
himem.sys Is an extended memory manager that coordinates the use of the computer's extended memory, including the high memory area (HMA). This driver can only be loaded in CONFIG.SYS.
if Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
include Includes the content of one configuration block within another. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
install Instalsl a memory resident program into memory when MS-DOS starts. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
interlnk Shares disks and printer ports between two computers using parallel or serial ports. The INTERLNK.EXE driver must be installed using the second syntax in the CONFIG.SYS file.
intersvr Starts the Interlink server that redirects drives.
keyb Configures a keyboard for a specific language. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
label Creates, renames, or erases a volume label.
lastdrive Specifies the maximum numbers of drives that can be accessed. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
lh, loadhigh Loads a program into the upper memory area.
loadfix Loads a program above the first 64K of conventional memory and then runs it.
md, mkdir Creates a new directory.
mem Shows the amount of used and free memory in your system. If used without an option it will display the status of the MS-DOS subsystem's memory usage.
memmaker Is a memory optimization program that optimizes the computers memory by moving memory-resident programs and device drivers to upper memory.
menucolor Sets the text and background color for the startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
menudefault Specifies the default menu item on the startup menu and set the time to wait before starting using this menu item, can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
menuitem Defines an item on the startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
mode Shows, changes or configure system devices. If used without parameters status of all devices is shown or if any actions are used without options the status for that device is shown.
more Shows one screen of information at a time.
move Moves files or renames directories.
msav Scans the computer for viruses.
msbackup Starts Microsoft Backup, which backs up or restores files.
mscdex Provides access to CD-ROM drives.
msd Shows technical information about the computer or writes the information to a file.
nlsfunc Loads country specific information for national language support. Use the second syntax in the CONFIG.SYS file.
numlock Specifies whether the NUM LOCK key is set to ON or OFF when the computer start. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
path Lists of directories that MS-DOS should search for executable files.
pause Pauses a batch file processing. A message prompts the user to press any key to continue. This command can only be used in a batch program.
power Reduces the power used by the computer. If used without any option the current setting is shown.
print Prints a text file while you are using other MS-DOS commands.
prompt Changes the appearance of the command prompt.
qbasic Is an editor and compiler for the Basic computer language.
ramdrive.sys Ramdrive.sys uses part of the systems memory (RAM) to simulate a hard disk drive, must be loaded by device in config.sys
rd, rmdir Removes an empty directory
rem Adds comments or disables commands in a batch file.
ren, rename Renames a file.
replace Replaces files in the target directory with the files in the source directory that have the same names.
restore Restores backup files created with the backup command.
scandisk Checks a drive for errors and then corrects them. If used without any parameters the current drive is checked for errors.
set Sets, shows, or removes MS-DOS environment variables
setup Setup instalsl MS-DOS 6.22
setver Reports a different MS-DOS version to a program than the one currently running. If used without any parameters the current setver table is shown.
share Enables file sharing and file locking capabilities. The second syntax is used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
shell Specifies the name and location of the command interpreter to use. This command can only be used in CONFIG.SYS.
shift Shifts the command line argument one step to the left.
smartdrv Creates a disk cache in extended memory to accelerate up MS-DOS disk operations.
sort Sorts input data and writes the result to a file, screen, or device
stacks Supports the dynamic use of data stacks to handle hardware interrupts. Can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
submenu Creates a submenu in a startup menu. This command can only be used within a menu block in the CONFIG.SYS file.
subst Maps a virtual drive to a directory. If used without any parameters all the active mappings are shown.
switches Specifies special MS-DOS options. This command can only be used in the CONFIG.SYS file.
sys Creates a bootable disk by copying the system files to it.
time Shows the current time or sets the computers internal clock.
tree Shows a graphical representation of a directory structure.
type Shows the contents of a text file.
undelete Restores files that were deleted using the del command.
Unformat Restores a disk that was erased using the FORMAT command or restructured using the RECOVER command.
ver Shows the version number of MS-DOS.
Verify Specifies that MS-DOS should verify that write operations are done correctly.
vol Shows the disk volume label and serial number.
vsafe Is a memory resident virus scanner that displays a warning when a virus is found.
xcopy Copies files, directories, and subdirectories, except hidden and system files.