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ms-dos

The document provides a guide on common DOS commands, including how to change the default drive, create directories, and navigate between them using commands like 'md' and 'cd'. It also explains the 'dir' command for listing files and directories, along with its options for filtering results, and the 'copy' command for duplicating files. Examples are provided for each command to illustrate their usage.

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studentsdouts21
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6 views

ms-dos

The document provides a guide on common DOS commands, including how to change the default drive, create directories, and navigate between them using commands like 'md' and 'cd'. It also explains the 'dir' command for listing files and directories, along with its options for filtering results, and the 'copy' command for duplicating files. Examples are provided for each command to illustrate their usage.

Uploaded by

studentsdouts21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Common DOS commands

Changing the Default Drive

To change the default drive, simply type the letter of your choice. The new default will be listed in
subsequent DOS prompts.

Example:

C:\> D: [enter]
Changes the default drive from C to D.
D:\> C: [enter]
Changes the default drive from D to C.

md or Make Directory Command

DOS allows you to create a folder or a directory as it is called in DOS using an md command.

Example:

C:\> md assets
Creates a directory or a folder named assets in drive C:

Changing Directory Command

This command allows you to move from one directory to another directory.

Example: Let’s say you are in C:\Docs directory

So to move up a directory named business (assuming there is directory name business) you issue the
following command:

C:\Docs> CD business <enter>

So to move to another directory that is not directly under your current directory (which has been so far the
C:\Docs\business\> ), let’s say for example you want to move to C:\Project\Completed directory – you
issue the following command:

C:\Docs> CD\Project\Completed <enter>

Tip: CD command followed by space and then a directory named like CD business moves you up from
your current directory. However, CD command followed by \ (or backslash) moves you any directory in
your current drive (C: or D: or E: drive).

Other special CD commands

CD.. – moves you one directory down


For example like in the above if you are in C:\Docs\business directory and you want to go back to Docs
directory you issue the following command:

C:\Docs\Business> CD..

CD\ - moves you back to the root directory

Again for example if you are in C:\Docs\business directory and you want to go back to root directory in
your current drive you issue the following command:

C:\Docs\Business> CD\

DIR (Directory) Command

The DIRECTORY command lists the names and sizes of all files located on a particular disk.

Example:

C:\> dir
Shows directory of drive C
C:\> dir d:
Shows directory of drive D
C:\> dir /w
Shows directory in wide format, as opposed to a vertical listing.
C:\> dir /p
Allows you to pause one screen at a time if there are many files to be shown in the screen.

DIR Options

Wildcard character: Using * (or asterisk) allows you to list files and directories according to a given
pattern:

Example:

C:\> dir w*
Lists all files that starts with letter w
C:\> dir win*
Lists all files that starts with the word win
C:\> dir *.exe
List all files that has a file extension name of .exe

Displaying files according to attributes:

Files have attributes, that is, it could be read-only, archive, hidden, system, folder or simply a regular file.
And to display files according to attributes you use the dir /a<attribute> command:
Example:

C:\> dir /ah


Lists all files that are hidden files
C:\> dir /ad
Lists only directories and does not include files

COPY Command

The COPY command allows you to copy file(s) to another file or drive.

Example:

C:\> copy golf.doc d:


Copies the file 'golf.doc’ from the C drive to the drive D and gives it the same name, that is,
golf.doc
C:\> copy golf.doc d:\golfback.doc
Creates a copy of 'golf.doc’ from drive C to drive D but with different name this time, namely,
golfback.doc
C:\> copy *.doc d:
Copies all files from drive C: that has file extension of .doc to drive D: as destination.
C:\> copy *.* d:
Copies all files from drive C: to drive D: as destination.

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