How To Use DOS
Helping you use MS-DOS Command Prompt Window

DOS Commands

When you are using a Microsoft DOS command prompt shell window, you can type the following commands into the window. Click a command shown below for a description of how to use that command.

• cd : Change directory or display current directory path.
• cls : Clear the window.
• dir : Display list of contents of current directory.
• help : Display list of commands or help about a command.
• notepad : Run the Windows Notepad text editor.
• type : Displays the contents of a text file.

Some other useful commands are:

• attrib : Displays or changes file attributes.
• call : Calls one batch program file from another.
• chkdsk : Checks a disk and displays a status report.
• chkntfs : Displays or modifies the checking of disk at startup.
• color : Sets the text and background colors.
• comp : Compares the contents of two files or sets of files.
• copy : Copies one or more files to another location. See also: xcopy
• date : Displays or sets the computer's date. See also: time
• del (or erase) : Deletes one or more files.
• echo : Displays messages, or turns command echoing on/off.
• exit : Closes the DOS window.
• fc : Compares two files or sets of files and displays the differences.
• find : Searches for a text string in a file or files.
• findstr : Search for a regular expression text string in a file or files.
• goto : Used in a batch program file to jump to a particular line.
• if : Used in a batch program file to perform conditional testing.
• md (or mkdir) : Creates a directory.
• more : Displays the contents of a file one screen at a time.
• move : Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.
• rd (or rmdir) : Removes a directory.
• rem : Used in a batch program file to identify comments.
• ren (or rename) : Renames a file or files.
• sort : Sorts input.
• start : Starts a new window to run a specified program or command.
• time : Displays or sets the computer's time. See also: date
• tree : Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or directory.
• xcopy : Copies files and directory trees. See also: copy

The following internet related commands are not part of DOS but can be typed at the DOS command prompt:

• ftp : FTP (file transfer program) to transfer files to/from server.
• ipconfig : Displays internet configuration, including IP address.
• netstat : Displays current TCP/IP network connections and statistics.
• ping : Ping the specified internet IP address or host name.
• telnet : Starts a text-based telnet session to the specified host.
• tftp : Transfers files to/from remote computer running TFTP service.
• tracert : Traces the route to the specified IP address or host.