MS-DOS - Windows Command Prompt (Windows 95, 98, XP, Vista & 7)

most of these MS DOS commandsAre OS Windows XP. It is very possible that some of them may not be available Windows Vista si Windows 7. You will notice in the list below that some of them end with /? BACKGAMMON. "/?" at the end of the command line, it will display the table with all the characteristics of the command.

A

addusers - Add or list users to/from a CSV file (XP Only)

ansi.sys - Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement and reassign keys

at * - Enables users to schedule tasks to be performed at a specified time and date

append – Similar to the PATH MS-DOS command, the append command enables a user to open files in the specified directory as if they were in the current directory

appwiz.cpl - Launch, add or remove programs and windows components

arp - Displays, adds and removes arp information from network devices

Assoc – The assoc command displays the file association for each of the different file extensions on the computer

associat – One step file association

attrib – Attrib allows a user to change the properties of a specified file ie Read-only, Archived, Hiddenand System

B

Bootcfg.exe – The bootcfg command is a recovery console command that enables a user to rebuild, view, and otherwise make changes to the boot.ini file

browstat - Get domain, browser and PDC info

C

Cacls.exe – The cacls command enables a user to view and modify the ACLs of a file

call document - Calls one batch program from another without stopping the parent batch program
(Call /? TABLE)

certreq - Requests certificates from a certification authority (certreq /? TABLE)

certutil - Certutil.exe is a command-line program that is installed as part of Certificate Services (certutil /? TABLE)

chcp.exe - (Before the chcp command can be used, the nlsfunc must be loaded, as well as the country.sys must be loaded into the config.sys) The chcp command is used to supplement the International keyboard and character set information, allowing MS-DOS to be used in other countries and with different languages

cd & chdir - means to change the directory in MSDos (For example chdir \ & cd \ take you to the highest level of the drive, chdir .. & cd .. goes back one, etc)

chkdsk.exe – Chkdsk is a utility which checks the computer's hard disk drives' status for any cross-linked or any additional errors with the hard disk drive

chknfts.exe – The chkntfs command is used to display or modify the checking of the disk drive using NTFS at boot time

choice - This tool allows users to select one item from a list of choices and returns the index of the selected choice. (choice /? TABLE)

cipher.exe – Displays or alters the encryption of directories [files] on NTFS partition
(More commands such as Cipher / e, cipher / d, etc… Type one incorrctly to get the list… Use cipher / R)

clip - Redirects output of command line tools to the windows clipboard. This text output can then be pasted into other programs. (clip /? TABLE) eg DIR | video

class - clears all that is written on a dos window

color - The color command enables users running Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP to quickly and easily change the default color of their background and / or text in their MS-DOS window eg COLOR 0a

comp – A simple compare that compares two or more files TABLE BELOW:

data1 Specifies the location and name(s) of the first file(s) to compare.
data2 Specifies the location and name(s) of second files to compare.
/ D Displays differences in decimal format.
/ A Displays differences in ASCII characters.
/ L Displays line numbers for differences.
/N=number Compares only the first specified number of lines in each file.
/C Disregards case of ASCII letters when comparing files.
/ I MUST BE SELECTED IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE ANYTHING OTHER THAN SIZE

compact – Compact is an MS-DOS command used to compress, uncompress, and view compressed files TABLE BELOW:
/C Compresses the specified files. Directories will be marked so that files addand afterward will be compressed.
/U Uncompresses the specified files. Directories will be marked so that files addand afterward will not be compressed.
/S Performs the specified operation on files in the given directory and all subdirectories. Default "dir" is the current directory.
/A Displays files with the hidden or system attributes. These files are omitted by default.
/ I Continues performing the specified operation even after errors have occurred. By default, COMPACT stops when an error is encountered.
/F Forces the compress operation on all specified files, even those which are already compressed. Already-compressed files are skipped by default.
/ Q Reports only the most essential information.
filename Specifies a pattern, file, or directory.

convert - Convert FAT volumes to NTFS LIST BELOW:
volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount point, or volume name.
/ FS: NTFS Specifies that the volume to be converted to NTFS.
/V Specifies that Convert should be run in verbose mode.

copy - accomplished what ctrl+ c does, but in DOS

compmgmt.msc * - view and config system settings and components

cmd - Opens a command prompt window

control.exe system - View basic info about your computer system settings

CSVDE – Imports and exports data from Active Directory using files that store data in the comma-separated value (CSV) format. You can also support batch operations based on the standard CSV file format (CSVDE /? TABLE)

D

data - shows you that date (it wants you to input a "new" date)

dcgpofix - Restores the default Group Policy objects to their original state (that is, the default state after initial installation) (dcgpofix /? TABLE)

debugging - Debug is a method of looking at portions of your computer and writing assembly code to perform certain tasks on your compute example: debug C: \windows (press Q to exit debug)

defrag * - defrags the computer! (defrag /? TABLE) Note: you want to do this every month or so, or at least I do

dfscmd - Manages a distributed file system from the command line (dfscmd /? TABLE)

of the - used to delete files from the computer

deltree – Short for delete tree, deltree is a command used to delete files and directories permanently from the computer

dir – The dir command allows you to see the available files in the current and/or parent directories

disable - The disable command is a recovery console command that disables Windows system services or drivers EXAMPLE: disable SERVICE_AUTO_START

diskcomp – Compares the contents of a floppy disk in the source drive to the contents of a floppy disk in the target drive

diskcopy - The diskcopy utility allows a user to copy the complete contents of a diskette to another diskette. It is not recommended that the diskcopy command be used for anything but a floppy diskette. TABLE BELOW:
DISKCOPY [drive1: [drive2:]] [/1] [/V] [/M]
/1 Copies only the first side of the disk.
/ V Verifies that the information is copied correctly.
/ M Force multi-pass copy using memory only.

diskPart - The diskpart command is a recovery console command that enables a user to delete and create partitions on their computer
diskshare [/add | / delete] [device_name | drive_name | partition_name] [size]
/add     Create a new partition.
/ delete Deletes an existing partition.
device_name The device on which you want to create or delete a partition. The name can be obtained from the output of the map command.
drive_name The partition you want to delete, by drive letter. Used only with / delete.
partition_name The partition you want to delete, by partition name. Can be used in place of the drive_name. Used only with / delete.
size The size, in megabytes (MB), of the partition you want to create. Used only with /add.

doskey - Doskey is an MS-DOS utility that allows a user to keep a history of commands used on the computer. This allows frequently used commands to be used without having to type the commands at each time you need to use it TABLE BELOW:
/ BUFSIZE: size Sets size of macro and command buffer (default: 512)
/ ECHO: on | off nables / disables echo of macro expansions (defaultOn)
/FILE:file Specifies file containing a list of macros    
/ HISTORY Displays all commands stored in memory    
/ INSERT Inserts new characters into line when typing    
/ KEYSIZE: size Sets size of keyboard type-ahead buffer (default: 15)
/ LINE: size Sets maximum size of line edit buffer (default: 128)
/MACROS Displays all DOSKey macros    
/ OVERSTRIKE Overwrites new characters onto line when typing (default)
/KINGINSTALL     Installin new copy of DOSKey    
macroname Specifies a name for a macro you create    
text Specifies commands you want to assign to the macro

driverquery - enables an admin to display a list of installand device drivers (driverquery /? TABLE)

E

threw out - Echo is used to repeat the text typed in back to the screen and / or can be used to echo to a peripheral on the computer, such as a COM port

edit – Edit allows a user to view, create, and/or modify their computer files (Use
edit /? The Get The Table)

Edlin – Edlin is an early version of the MS-DOS edit command. While not as easy as the edit command, edlin allows the user to crudely edit files (edit /? TABLE)

enable - The enable command is a recovery console command to enable a disabled service or driver eg enable SERVICE_ASYSTEM_START

endlocal - Stops the localization of the environment changes enabled by the setlocal command (Use endlocal /? For full description)

Erase - Erase is a command used to remove files from your computer hard disk drive and or other writable media (Use erase /? for TABLE)

eventcreate - This commans line tool enables an admin to create a custom event ID and message in a specific event log. (eventcreate /? TABLE)

exit - two successes

expand - The expand command is use to take a compressed Windows file and "expand" it to its original format (Use expand /? for full TABLE)

extract - The Windows extract command is used to take files that are compressed in a Windows Cabinet file and place it into a specified location on the hard disk drive (Use extract /? for a bit O' history provided at the bottom, as well as the TABLE)

eventvwr.exe - View monitoring and troubleshooting messages

F

FC - FC, or file compare, is used to compare two files against each other. Once completed, fc will return lines which differ between the two files. If no lines differ, you will receive a message indicating no differences encountered (Use FC /? for TABLE)
eg "fc c: \ autoexec.bat c: \ config.sys"

find - Allows you to search for text within a file. Although MS-DOS itself is not case sensitive, when typing in the string that you are looking for with the find command, it is case sensitive (Use find /? for TABLE)

findstr – The findstr command is short for find string and is a command used in MS-DOS to locate files containing a specific string of plain text (Use findsrt /? for TABLE)
eg findstr "computer help" myfile.txt

finger - Displays info about a user on a specified system running the Finger service. Output varies based on the remote system. (finger /?)

fixboot - The fixboot command is a recovery console command that creates a new partition boot sector; the fixboot command is only available when you are using the Recovery Console eg fixboot C:

FOR – The FOR variable is used for batch files to run a specified command when a parameter is met or specified (Use FOR /? for description)

FORFILES – selects a file (or set of files) and executes a command on that file, helpful for batch jobs. (forfiles /?)

format – Format is used to erase all of the information off of a computer diskette or fixed drive eg format a: would erase all the contents off a disk. Commonly used on a diskette that has not been formatted or on a diskette you wish to erase (Use format /?
don't be an idiot and type format C: and follow throught with it, this will delete everything off of your C: wich, by deafult, is your main drive).

fsutil – Fsutil is a command-line utility that you can use to perform many tasks related to file allocation table (FAT) and NTFS file systems, such as managing repair points, managing sparse files, or dismounting a volume (fsutil /? TABLE)

ftp – FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol, this page contains additional information about the FTP command and help using that command in Unix and MS-DOS
(Use FTP /?)

ftype – Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations (fytpe /?)

G

getmac - This tool enables an admin to display the MAC address for the network adapters on a system (getmac /? BACKGAMMON)

goth – Moves a batch file to a specific label or location, enabling a user to rerun a batch file or skip other lines depending on user inputs or events (Use goto /?)

gpedit.msc. The local Group Policy editor appears on the screen, enabling you to adjust policies that affect the local machin

GPResult - This command line tool displays the Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) info for a target user or computer (gpresult /? TABLE)

gpupdate - Refreshes the local computers policy and any Active Directory-based Group policies (Use gpupdate /? for TABLE.

graftabl – Graftabl command allows the display to show extended characters in graphics mode from a specific code page. Most monitors do not need the graftabl command to be loaded (Use graftabl /? for TABLE)

H

help - accomplished what /? does eg Help cls

hostname - Display the hostname of the machi the command is being run on

I

IF – Allows for batch files to perform conditional processing (IF /? for TABLE)

inetcpl.cpl – View Internet explorer settings

ipconfig.exe - View and configure network address settings (Use ipconfig.exe / all for advanced options)

K

keyb - Keyb is used to change the layout of the keyboard used for different countries (not supported with XP or VISTA; NT, 98, 95 only)

L

label – Label is used to view or change the label of the computer disk drives (label /?
eg label a: mydisk)

loadfix - Loads a program above the first 64K of memory, and runs the program
(Loadfix /? Forum TABLE) loadfix eg C: \ Mouse \ Mouse.com

Lock / Unlock command – LOCK allows a user to lock a drive, enabling directly disk access for an application. UNLOCK allows a user to unlock a drive, disabling directly disk access for an application (Win 98 & 95 ONLY)

lodctr - Updates registry values ​​related to preformance counters (lodctr /? TABLE)

logoff – The logoff command is an external command that allows a user to quickly logoff their computer from the command line or within a batch file (Note: does not prompt you)

logon - The logon command is a recovery console command that lists the installations of Windows 2000 / Windows XP and requests the local administrator password for those installations

Logman - Manages and schedules performance counter and event trace log collections on local and remote systems (logman /? TABLE)

M

map - The map command is a recovery console command that displays the physical device name of a drive letter

Member - Allows you to determine the available, used and free memory (mem /? TABLE)

md / mkdir - Allows you to create your own directories in MS-DOS eg md test example creates the "test" directory in the directory you are currently in and md C: \ test Creates the "test" directory in the c: \ directory (md / ? BACKGAMMON)

mode - Mode status is used to view and/or modify a port or display setting
(mode /? BACKGAMMON)

more - More allows information to be displayed one page at a time (more /? TABLE)
i mean | more and more myfile.txt

mountvol - Creates, deletes, or lists a volume mount point (mountvol /? TABLE)

make it happen – Allows you to move files or directories from one folder to another, or from one drive to another (more /? TABLE) eg move c:\windows\ temp \ *. * c: \ temp

mscdex - Mscdex is a CD-ROM "redirector" that enables CD-ROM access from the MS-DOS

msinfo32.exe - displays advanced info about hardware and software settings

msra.exe - Receve help from (or offer help to) a friend over the internet

N

NET - The net command is used to update, fix, or view the network or network settings
(Net /? TABLE) eg net view \\ hope and net localgroup

netsh - MS-DOS command that enables users to change network settings such as changing their network device from a dynamic address to a static address or changing the IP address (netsh /? TABLE) eg netsh dump (don't be stupid and hit enter)

netstat - The netstat command is used to display the TCP / IP network protocol statistics and information (netstat /? TABLE) eg netstat -ban

nlsfunc - Used to load country specific information (nlsfunc /? TABLE) eg Below:
nlsfunc a: \ lang \ Spain.dat (don't unless you're fluent in spanish)

nslookup - MS-DOS utility that enables a user to look up an IP address of a domain or host on a network (nslookup /? TABLE) Note: type 'quit' to stop nslookup

O

openfiles - Enables an admin to lose or disconnect files and folders that have been opened on a system (openfiles /? TABLE)

P

path - Path is used to specify the location where MS-DOS looks when using a command
(path /? TABLE) eg path = c: \windows\ command

PathPing - Similar to the tracert command, pathping provides users with the ability of locating spots that have network latency and network loss (pathping /? TABLE)
PathPing eg trapped.com

pause – The pause command is used within a computer batch file and allows the computer to pause the currently running batch file until the user presses any key

perfmon.exe * - Monitor the reliability and preformance of local or remote computers (Use preform.exe / report for advanced settings)

ping - Helps in determining TCP / IP Networks IP address as well as determine issues with the network and assists in resolving them (ping /? TABLE) eg ping localhost

popd - Changes to the directory or network path stored by the pushd command
(Popd /? TABLE)

powercfg - This command line tool enables users to control the power settings we have system (powercgf /? TABLE)

print – This command allowed users to print a text file to a line printer, in the background (print /? TABLE) eg print C:\file.txt /c /d:lpt1

prompt - Allows you to change the MS-DOS prompt to display more or less information
(Prompt /? TABLE MUST USE!)

pushd - Stores a directory or network path in memory so it can be returned to at any time (pushd /? TABLE) eg pushd ..

R

rasdial - not sure actually, but rasdial /? provides some info and a link that you can use for more information.

rd / rmdir - Removes empty directories in MS-DOS eg
Row C: \ users \ John_smith \ appdata \ temp \ av19023

recover – Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk (recover /? TABLE)

reg - Command line registry tool that enables you to change, display, update, and otherwise manipulate the registry from the prompt (reg /? TABLE)

regedit32.exe * - Makes changes to the Windows registry.

rem – Records comments (remarks) in a batch file or CONFIG.SYS (rem /? TABLE)

ren / rename – Used to rename files and directories from the original name to a new name
(Ren /? TABLE) eg ren c: \ Chop hope

relog – Relog creates new performance logs from data in existing performance logs by changing the sampling rate and/or converting the file formats. Supports all performance log formats, including windows NT 4.0 compressed logs. (clock /? TABLE)

replace – Replaces files (replace /? TABLE)

road. - Use the command to manually configure the routes in the routing table (route /? TABLE)

rstrui.exe * - restore your computer system to an eariler state

runas - Enables a user to execute a program on another computer as yourself or as another user (runas /? TABLE)

S

scandisk - Scandisk is designed to check the integrity of a computer hard disk drive to verify that there are no significant issues which could cause issues with your computer data (scandisk /? TABLE) eg scandisk / all

SC - SC is a command line program used for communicating with the Service Control Manager and services. (SC /? TABLE)

scanreg - Using Scanreg a user can backup his or her registry manually and or allow Windows to backup the registry daily (default) FOR WINDOWS 98 AND ME

secedit - Configures and analyzes system security by comparing your current configuration to at least one template (secedit /? TABLE)

set - Allows you to change one variable or string to another (set /? GIANT TABLE)
eg set path = c:windows\ command

setlocal - Enables local environments to be changed without affecting anything else
(Setlocal /? TABLE)

setver - For setver to work, setver.exe device must be loaded in the config.sys.Setver is used to imitate the version of DOS in case an application was unable to run because of a newer version of MS-DOS. (setver /? TABLE) eg setver 4.01

SETX - Setx creates or modifies environment variables in the user or system environment. Can set variables based on arguments, regkeys, or file input (setx /? TABLE)

sfc - Scans and replaces any Microsoft Windows file on the computer and replaces any changed file with the correct version (sfc /? TABLE) eg sfc /scannow

share - Installs support for file sharing and locking capabilities (share /? TABLE)

shift - Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program (shift /? BACKGAMMON)

shutdown - Enables a user to shutdown a Windows XP computer from the command line as well as perform additional features that are not available through Windows
(Shutdown /? Force cool features)

Black - Sorts the input and displays the output to the screen (sort /? TABLE)
sort eg test.txt

start - Enables a user to start a separate window in Windows from the MS-DOS prompt
(Start /? GIANT TABLE)

subst - Allows you to substitute a folder on your computer for another drive letter
(Subst /? TABLE) substances eg:.

systeminfo - Complete displays system information (XP Professional and Vista ONLY)
(systeminfo /? BACKGAMMON)

systemroot - The systemroot command is a recovery console command that sets the current directory as the system root directory (Win 2000 and XP only)

T

takeown – This tool allows an admin to recover access to a file that was denied by re-assigning file ownership (takeown /? TABLE)

taskmgr.exe - Views details about programs and processes running on your computer

taskkill - Allows user to kill a task from an MS-DOS prompt. (XP Pro and Vista ONLY)
(taskkill /? TABLE) eg taskkill /f /im notepad.exe

tasklist - This tool displays a list of currently running processes on either a local or remote macclothes (tasklist /? TABLE)

telnet - Enables a user to telnet to another computer from the command prompt (telnet /? TABLE) eg telnet myhost.com

team - Allows the user to view and edit the computer's time

timeout - Pauses the command processor for the specified number of seconds (timeout /? TABLE)

tracert - The tracert command is used to visually see a network packet being sent and received and the amount of hops required for that packet to get to its destination
(Tracert /? TABLE)

tracerpt – Processes event trace logs or real-time data from instrumented event trace providers and allows you to generate trace analysis reports and CSV (comma-delimited) files for the events generated (tracerpt /? TABLE)

tree - Allows the user to view a list of files and folders in an easy to read listing (tree /? TABLE)

type – Allows the user to see the contents of a file (Type /? TABLE) eg type c:\autoexec.bat

typeperf – Writes performance counter data to the command window, or to a supported log file format. To stop Typeperf, press CTRL+ C (typeperf /? TABLE)

V

see - Displays the version of MS-DOS or if running Windows 95 or above the version of Windows

verify – Enables or disables the feature to determine if files have been written properly (verify on or verify off)

vol - Displays the volume information about the designated drive eg vol c:

vssadmin - Displays current volume shadow copy backups and all installed shadow copy writers and providers in the command window

W

W32tm - A tool used to diagnose problems occuring with Windows Time (W32tm /? TABLE)

waitfor - Synchronizes multiple computers across a network by using signals (waitfor /? TABLE)

Where – Locates and displays all of the files that match the given parameter. By default, the search is done in the current directory and in the PATH environment variable (where /? TABLE)

whoami - Returns domain name, computer name, user name, group names, logon identifier, and privileges for the user who is currently logged on (whoami /? TABLE)

winver.exe - displays info about MS OS

wscui.cpl - View and configure the security essentials for your computer

X

xcopy - Xcopy is a powerful version of the copy command with additional features; has the capability of moving files, directories, and even whole drives from one location to another (xcopy /? TABLE) eg xcopy c:\temp /e

Orders can be launched from Run or Command Prompt.

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