DOS. The Disk Operating System. Those were the days ;-) Very popular in the eighties and beyond. The 'before Windows' era, when people used their fingers to type commands and get their computers to do things. The computer mouse wasn't invented yet. Internet? Never heard of. And yet, our ancestors did about 80% of the things we do today with our Windows and Mac PC's with DOS. Nostalgia ;-) It was rather simple, straightforward and extremely stable. They had word processors, anti-virus programs, databases, programming languages (Basic, C, Cobol, Dbase,..), data manipulation, spreadsheets, networks.. and less, oh so much less, updates, bugfixes and 'hanging' computers. A reboot did the trick about 99% of the time. But they didn't have the www, video clips, facebook or twitter. But they had email, bulletin board systems (an Internet where one single computer talked to another one over a telephone line. Yes, you had to dial in!). At these bulletin boards systems (they were called BBS's) you could find forums, files, freeware & shareware, messages and music files. Really like the internet but one user at a time ;-) These pre-historic computer users had so much more free time. They were quite patient as well. Unbelievable! DOS is still available within Windows. Here's a list of all DOS commands.
APPEND
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
ASSIGN x=y [...] /sta
Redirects disk drive requests to a different drive.
ATTRIB
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
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
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
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
CALL [d:][path]batchfilename [options]
Calls another batch file and then returns to current batch file to continue.
CHCP
CHCP (codepage)
Displays the current code page or changes the code page that DOS will use.
CHDIR
CHDIR (CD) [d:]path
CHDIR (CD)[..]
Displays working (current) directory and/or changes to a different directory.
CHKDSK
CHKDSK [d:][path][filename] [/F][/V]
Checks a disk and provides a file and memory status report.
CHOICE
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)
CLS
Clears (erases) the screen.
COMMAND
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).
COMP
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
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
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
CTTY (device)
Changes the standard I/O (Input/Output) device to an auxiliary device.
DATE
DATE mm-dd-yy
Displays and/or sets the system date.
DBLSPACE
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
DEBUG [pathname] [parameters]
An MS-DOS utility used to test and edit programs.
DEFRAG
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)
DEL (ERASE) [d:][path]filename [/P]
Deletes (erases) files from disk.
DELOLDOS
DELOLDOS [/B]
Deletes all files from previous versions of DOS after a 5.0 or 6.0 installation.
DELTREE
DELTREE [/Y] [d:]path [d:]path[...]
Deletes (erases) a directory including all files and subdirectories that are in it.
DEVICE
DEVICE=(driver name)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS which device driver to load.
DEVICEHIGH
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
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
DISKCOMP [d:] [d:][/1][/8]
Compares the contents of two diskettes.
DISKCOPY
DISKCOPY [d:] [d:][/1][/V][/M]
Makes an exact copy of a diskette.
DOS
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
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
DOSSHELL [/B] [/G:[resolution][n]]|[/T:[resolution][n]]
Initiates the graphic shell program using the specified screen resolution.
DRIVPARM
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
ECHO on|off
ECHO (message)
Displays messages or turns on or off the display of commands in a batch file.
EDIT
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
EMM386 [on|off|auto] [w=on|off]
Enables or disables EMM386 expanded-memory support on a computer with an 80386 or higher processor.
EXE2BIN
EXE2BIN [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
Converts .EXE (executable) files to binary format.
EXIT
EXIT
Exits a secondary command processor.
EXPAND
EXPAND [d:][path]filename [[d:][path]filename[ . . .]]
Expands a compressed file.
FASTHELP
FASTHELP [command][command] /?
Displays a list of DOS commands with a brief explanation of each.
FASTOPEN
FASTOPEN d:[=n][/X]
Keeps track of the locations of files for fast access.
FC
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
FCBS=(number)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the number of file-control blocks for file sharing.
FDISK
FDISK [/status]
Prepares a fixed disk to accept DOS files for storage.
FILES
FILES=(number)
Used in the CONFIG.Sys file to specify the maximum number of files that can be open at the same time.
FIND
FIND [/V][/C][/I][/N] string [d:][path]filename[...]
Finds and reports the location of a specific string of text characters in one or more files.
FOR
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
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
GOTO (label)
Causes unconditional branch to the specified label.
GRAFTABL
GRAFTABL [(code page)]
GRAFTABL [status]
Loads a table of character data into memory (for use with a color/graphics adapter).
GRAPHICS
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
HELP [command] [/B][/G][/H][/NOHI]
Displays information about a DOS command.
IF
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
INCLUDE= blockname
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to allow you to use the commands from one CONFIG.SYS block within another.
INSTALL
INSTALL=[d: ][\path]filename [parameters]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to load memory-resident programs into conventional memory.
INTERLINK
INTERLINK [client[:]=[server][:]]
Connects two computers via parallel or serial ports so that the computers can share disks and printer ports.
INTERSVR
INTERSVR [d:][...][/X=d:][...] [/LPT:[n|address]] [/COM:[n|address]][/baud:rate] [/B][/V]
INTERSVR /RCOPY
Starts the Interlink server.
JOIN
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
KEYB [xx][,][yyy][,][d:][path]filename [/E][/ID:(number)]
Loads a program that replaces the support program for U. S. keyboards.
LABEL
LABEL [d:][volume label]
Creates or changes or deletes a volume label for a disk.
LASTDRIVE
LASTDRIVE=(drive letter)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the maximum number of drives that can be accessed.
LOADFIX
LOADFIX [d:][path]filename [parameters]
Ensures that a program is loaded above the first 64K of conventional memory, and runs the program.
LOADHIGH
LOADHIGH (LH) [d:][path]filename [parameters]
Loads memory resident application into reserved area of memory (between 640K-1M).
MEM
MEM [/program|/debug|/classify|/free|/module(name)] [/page]
Displays amount of installed and available memory, including extended, expanded, and upper memory.
MEMMAKER
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
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
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
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
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)
MKDIR (MD) [d:]path
Creates a new subdirectory.
MODE
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
MORE < (filename or command)
(name)|MORE
Sends output to console, one screen at a time.
MOVE
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
MSAV [d:] [/S|/C][/R][/A][/L][/N][/P][/F][/video][/mouse]
MSAV /video
Scans your computer for known viruses.
MSBACKUP
MSBACKUP [setupfile] [/BW|/LCD|/MDA]
Used to backup or restore one or more files from one disk to another.
MSCDEX
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).
NLSFUNC
NLSFUNC [d:][path]filename
Used to load a file with country-specific information.
NUMLOCK
NUMLOCK=on|off
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the state of the NumLock key.
PATH
PATH
PATH [d:]path[][d:]path[...]
Sets or displays directories that will be searched for programs not in the current directory.
PAUSE
PAUSE [comment]
Suspends execution of a batch file until a key is pressed.
POWER
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 [/B:(buffersize)] [/D:(device)] [/M:(maxtick)] [/Q:(value] [/S:(timeslice)][/U:(busytick)] [/C][/P][/T] [d:][path][filename] [...]
Queues and prints data files.
PROMPT
PROMPT [prompt text] [options]
Changes the DOS command prompt.
RECOVER
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
REM [comment]
Used in batch files and in the CONFIG.SYS file to insert remarks (that will not be acted on).
RENAME (REN)
RENAME (REN) [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
Changes the filename under which a file is stored.
REPLACE
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
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)
RMDIR (RD) [d:]path
Removes a subdirectory.
SCANDISK
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
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
SET (string1)=(string2)
Inserts strings into the command environment. The set values can be used later by programs.
SETVER
SETVER [d:]:path][filename (number)][/delete][/quiet]
Displays the version table and sets the version of DOS that is reported to programs.
SHARE
SHARE [/F:space] [/L:locks]
Installs support for file sharing and file locking.
SHELL
SHELL=[d:][path]filename [parameters]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the command interpreter that DOS should use.
SHIFT
SHIFT
Increases number of replaceable parameters to more than the standard ten for use in batch files.
SORT
SORT [/R][/+n] < (filename)
SORT [/R][/+n] > (filename2)
Sorts input and sends it to the screen or to a file.
STACKS
STACKS=(number),(size)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the number of stack frames and the size of each stack frame.
SUBMENU
SUBMENU=blockname, [menutext]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to create a multilevel menu from which you can select start-up options.
SUBST
SUBST d: d:path
SUBST d: /D
Substitutes a virtual drive letter for a path designation.
SWITCHES
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
SYS [source] d:
Transfers the operating system files to another disk.
TIME
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
TREE [d:][path] [/A][/F]
Displays directory paths and (optionally) files in each subdirectory.
TYPE
TYPE [d:][path]filename
Displays the contents of a file.
UNDELETE
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
UNFORMAT d: [/J][/L][/test][/partn][/P][/U]
Used to undo the effects of formatting a disk.
VER
VER
Displays the DOS version number.
VERIFY
VERIFY on|off
Turns on the verify mode the program checks all copying operations to assure that files are copied correctly.
VOL
VOL [d:]
Displays a disk's volume label.
XCOPY
XCOPY [d:][path]filename [d:][path][filename] [/A][/D:(date)] [/E][/M][/P][/S][/V][/W][Y\-Y]
Copies directories, subdirectories, and files.