MS DOS External commands

The MS-DOS 7 External Commands
(Programs in the Windir\COMMAND folder)
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Table of Contents (the Programs)
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attrib choice command debug deltree diskcopy doskey edit extract fc fdisk find format keyb label mem mode more mscdex nlsfunc qbasic scandisk sort start subst sys xcopy xcopy32
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attrib.exe (File) Attributes
--------
Displays or changes file attributes.

ATTRIB
[+R | -R] [+A | -A] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [[drive:][path]filename] [/S]

+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute.
R Read-only file attribute.
A Archive file attribute.
S System file attribute.
H Hidden file attribute.
/S Processes files in all directories in the specified path.


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choice.com (Used in BATCH files)
--------
Waits for the user to choose one of a set of choices.

CHOICE [/C[:]choices] [/N] [/S] [/T[:]c,nn] [text]

/C[:]choices Specifies allowable keys. Default is YN
/N Do not display choices and ? at end of prompt string.
/S Treat choice keys as case sensitive.
/T[:]c,nn Default choice to c after nn seconds
text Prompt string to display

ERRORLEVEL is set to offset of key user presses in choices.


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command.com COMMAND.COM (really an .EXE)
--------
Starts a new copy of the Windows Command Interpreter.

COMMAND [[drive:]path] [device] [/E:nnnnn] [/L:nnnn] [/U:nnn] [/P] [/MSG]
[/LOW] [/Y [/[C|K] command]]
[drive:]path Specifies the directory containing COMMAND.COM.
device Specifies the device to use for command input and output.
/E:nnnnn Sets the initial environment size to nnnnn bytes.
(nnnnn should be between 256 and 32,768).
/L:nnnn Specifies internal buffers length (requires /P as well).
(nnnn should be between 128 and 1,024).
/U:nnn Specifies the input buffer length (requires /P as well).
(nnn should be between 128 and 255).
/P Makes the new Command Interpreter permanent (can't exit).
/MSG Stores all error messages in memory (requires /P as well).
/LOW Forces COMMAND to keep its resident data in low memory.
/Y Steps through the batch program specified by /C or /K.
/C command Executes the specified command and returns.
/K command Executes the specified command and continues running.


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debug.exe More Info here: DEBUG
--------
Runs Debug, a program testing and editing tool.

DEBUG [[drive:][path]filename [testfile-parameters]]

[drive:][path]filename Specifies the file you want to test.
testfile-parameters Specifies command-line information required by
the file you want to test.

After Debug starts, type ? to display a list of debugging commands.


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deltree.exe Delete Tree (all files)
--------
Deletes a directory and all the subdirectories and files in it.

To delete one or more files and directories:
DELTREE [/Y] [drive:]path [[drive:]path[...]]

/Y Suppresses prompting to confirm you want to delete
the subdirectory.
[drive:]path Specifies the name of the directory you want to delete.

Note: Use DELTREE cautiously. Every file and subdirectory within the
specified directory will be deleted.


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diskcopy.com Copy Floppy Disks
--------
Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.

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.

The two floppy disks must be the same type.
You may specify the same drive for drive1 and drive2.


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doskey.com
--------
Edits command lines, recalls command lines, and creates macros

DOSKEY [/switch ...] [macroname=[text]]

/BUFSIZE:size Sets size of macro and command buffer (default:512)
/ECHO:on|off Enables/disables echo of macro expansions (default:on)
/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)
/REINSTALL Installs a new copy of DOSKey
macroname Specifies a name for a macro you create
text Specifies commands you want to assign to the macro

UP,DOWN arrows recall commands
Esc clears current command
F7 displays command history
Alt+F7 clears command history
[chars]F8 searches for command beginning with [chars]
F9 selects a command by number
Alt+F10 clears macro definitions

The following are special codes you can use in DOSKey macro definitions:

$T Command separator: allows multiple commands in a macro.

$1-$9 Batch parameters: equivalent to %1-%9 in batch programs.

$* Symbol replaced by everything following macro name on the
command line.


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edit.com
--------
MS-DOS Editor Version 2.0.026

EDIT [/B] [/H] [/R] [/S] [/] [/?] [file(s)]

/B - Forces monochrome mode.

/H - Displays the maximum number of lines possible for your
hardware.

/R - Load file(s) in read-only mode.

/S - Forces the use of short filenames.

/ - Load binary file(s), wrapping lines to characters
wide.
/? - Displays this help screen.

[file] - Specifies initial files(s) to load. Wildcards and
multiple filespecs can be given.


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extract.exe (Microsoft .CAB files)
--------
Microsoft (R) Diamond Extraction Tool - Version (16) 1.00.0602 (07/14/97)

EXTRACT [/Y] [/A] [/D | /E] [/L dir] cabinet [filename ...]
EXTRACT [/Y] source [newname]
EXTRACT [/Y] /C source destination

cabinet - Cabinet file (contains two or more files).
filename - Name of the file to extract from the cabinet.
Wild cards and multiple filenames (separated by
blanks) may be used.

source - Compressed file (a cabinet with only one file).
newname - New filename to give the extracted file.
If not supplied, the original name is used.

/A Process ALL cabinets. Follows cabinet chain
starting in first cabinet mentioned.
/C Copy source file to destination (to copy from DMF disks).
/D Display cabinet directory (use with filename to avoid
extract).
/E Extract (use instead of *.* to extract all files).
/L dir Location to place extracted files (default is current
directory).
/Y Do not prompt before overwriting an existing file.


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fc.exe File Compare
--------
Compares two files or sets of files and displays the differences between
them.

FC [/A] [/C] [/L] [/LBn] [/N] [/T] [/W] [/nnnn] [drive1:][path1]filename1
[drive2:][path2]filename2
FC /B [drive1:][path1]filename1 [drive2:][path2]filename2

/A Displays only first and last lines for each set of differences.
/B Performs a binary comparison.
/C Disregards the case of letters.
/L Compares files as ASCII text.
/LBn Sets the maximum consecutive mismatches to the specified number
of lines.
/N Displays the line numbers on an ASCII comparison.
/T Does not expand tabs to spaces.
/W Compresses white space (tabs and spaces) for comparison.
/nnnn Specifies the number of consecutive lines that must match after
a mismatch.


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fdisk.exe Partition (Hard) Disks
--------
Configures a hard disk for use with MS-DOS and Windows 95/98/2000.

FDISK [/STATUS] /X

/STATUS Displays partition information.
/X Ignores extended disk-access support. Use this switch if
you receive disk access or stack overflow messages.


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find.exe
--------
Searches for a text string in a file or files.

FIND [/V] [/C] [/N] [/I] "string" [[drive:][path]filename[ ...]]

/V Displays all lines NOT containing the specified string.
/C Displays only the count of lines containing the string.
/N Displays line numbers with the displayed lines.
/I Ignores the case of characters when searching for the
string.
"string" Specifies the text string to find.
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies a file or files to search.

If a pathname is not specified, FIND searches the text typed at the
prompt or piped from another command.


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format.com
--------
Formats a disk for use with MS-DOS.

FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/F:size] [/B | /S] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors] [/B | /S] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/B | /S] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/8] [/B | /S] [/C]

/V[:label] Specifies the volume label.
/Q Performs a quick format.
/F:size Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format (such
as 160, 180, 320, 360, 720, 1.2, 1.44, 2.88).
/B Allocates space on the formatted disk for system files.
/S Copies system files to the formatted disk.
/T:tracks Specifies the number of tracks per disk side.
/N:sectors Specifies the number of sectors per track.
/1 Formats a single side of a floppy disk.
/4 Formats a 5.25-inch 360K floppy disk in a high-density
drive.
/8 Formats eight sectors per track.
/C Tests clusters that are currently marked "bad."


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keyb.com
--------
Configures a keyboard for a specific language.

KEYB [xx[,[yyy][,[drive:][path]filename]]] [/E] [/ID:nnn]

xx Specifies a two-letter keyboard code.
yyy Specifies the code page for the character set.

[drive:][path]filename Specifies the keyboard definition file.

/E Specifies that an enhanced keyboard is installed.
/ID:nnn Specifies the keyboard in use.


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label.exe
--------
Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.

LABEL [drive:][label]


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mem.exe Memory
--------
Displays the amount of used and free memory in your system.

MEM [/CLASSIFY | /DEBUG | /FREE | /MODULE modulename] [/PAGE]

/CLASSIFY or /C Classifies programs by memory usage. Lists the size
of programs, provides a summary of memory in use,
and lists largest memory block available.

/DEBUG or /D Displays status of all modules in memory, internal
drivers, and other information.

/FREE or /F Displays information about the amount of free memory
left in both conventional and upper memory.

/MODULE or /M Displays a detailed listing of a module's memory use.
This option must be followed by the name of a module,
optionally separated from /M by a colon.

/PAGE or /P Pauses after each screenful of information.


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mode.com
--------
Configures system devices.

Printer port: MODE LPTn[:] [COLS=c] [LINES=l] [RETRY=r]
Serial port: MODE COMm[:] [BAUD=b] [PARITY=p] [DATA=d] [STOP=s]
[RETRY=r]
Device Status: MODE [device] [/STATUS]
Redirect printing: MODE LPTn[:]=COMm[:]
Prepare code page: MODE device CP PREPARE=((yyy[...])
[drive:][path]filename)
Select code page: MODE device CP SELECT=yyy
Refresh code page: MODE device CP REFRESH
Code page status: MODE device CP [/STATUS]
Display mode: MODE [display-adapter][,n]
MODE CON[:] [COLS=c] [LINES=n]
Typematic rate: MODE CON[:] [RATE=r DELAY=d]


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more.com
--------
Displays output one screen at a time.

MORE [drive:][path]filename
MORE < [drive:][path]filename
command-name | MORE [drive:][path][filename]

[drive:][path]filename Specifies file(s) to display one screen at
a time.
command-name Specifies a command whose output will be
displayed.


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mscdex.exe CD-ROM Program
--------
Allows MS-DOS to communicate with CD-ROM drives. (Note: A 'driver'
program for the specific type of CD-ROM drive must be installed
first -- usually listed in the machine's CONFIG.SYS file.)

Usage: MSCDEX [/E/K/S/V] [/D: ... ] [/L:] [/M:]


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nlsfunc.exe
--------
Loads country-specific information.

NLSFUNC [[drive:][path]filename]

[drive:][path]filename Specifies the file containing
country-specific information.


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qbasic.exe Quick-Basic Interpreter
--------
Starts the MS-DOS QBasic programming environment.

QBASIC [/B] [/EDITOR] [/G] [/H] [/MBF] [/NOHI]
[[/RUN] [drive:][path]filename]

/B Allows use of a monochrome monitor with a color graphics
card.

/EDITOR Starts the MS-DOS Editor.

/G Provides the fastest update of a CGA screen.

/H Displays the maximum number of lines possible for your
hardware.

/MBF Converts the built-in functions MKS$, MKD$, CVS, and CVD
to MKSMBF$, MKDMBF$, CVSMBF, and CVDMBF, respectively.

/NOHI Allows the use of a monitor without high-intensity support.

/RUN Runs the specified Basic program before displaying it.

[[drive:][path]filename] Specifies the program file to load or run.


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scandisk.exe
--------
SCANDISK [drive:] [/a] [/n] [/p]

drive: to specify the drive(s) you want to check.

/a to check all your local, nonremovable hard disks.

/n to start and close ScanDisk automatically.

/p to prevent ScanDisk from correcting any errors it finds.

Examples:
========
To check drive D and start and close ScanDisk automatically, the
following command might be used:

c:\windows\scandisk.exe d: /n

To check all nonremovable hard disks but prevent ScanDisk from
correcting any errors it finds, this command could be used:

c:\windows\scandisk.exe /a /p


[NOTE: Scandskw.exe is the WINDOWS 9x/Me version of the DOS7
ScanDisk.]

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sort.exe
--------
Sorts input and writes results to the screen, a file, or another device.

SORT [/R] [/+n] [[drive1:][path1]filename1] [> [drive2:][path2]filename2]
[command |] SORT [/R] [/+n] [> [drive2:][path2]filename2]

/R Reverses the sort order; that is, sorts
Z to A, then 9 to 0.
/+n Sorts the file according to characters in
column n.
[drive1:][path1]filename1 Specifies file(s) to be sorted.
[drive2:][path2]filename2 Specifies a file where the sorted input is
to be stored.
command Specifies a command whose output is to be
sorted.


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start.exe Start (Windows Program)
--------
Runs a Windows program or an MS-DOS program.

START [options] program [arg...]
START [options] document.ext

/m[inimized] Run the new program minimized (in the background).

/max[imized] Run the new program maximized (in the foreground).

/r[estored] Run the new program restored (in the foreground).
[This is the default.]

/w[ait] Does not return until the other program exits.


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subst.exe Substitute
--------
Associates a path with a drive letter.

SUBST [drive1: [drive2:]path]
SUBST drive1: /D

drive1: Specifies a virtual drive to which you want to assign
a path.
[drive2:]path Specifies a physical drive and path you want to assign
to a virtual drive.
/D Deletes a substituted (virtual) drive.

Type SUBST with no parameters to display a list of current virtual
drives.


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sys.com (Copy) System Files
--------
Copies MS-DOS system files and command interpreter to a disk you specify.

SYS [drive1:][path] drive2:

[drive1:][path] Specifies the location of the system files.
drive2: Specifies the drive the files are to be copied to.


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xcopy.exe
--------
Copies files and directory trees.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W]
[/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U]
[/K] [/N]

source Specifies the file(s) to copy.
destination Specifies the location and/or name of new files.

/A Copies files with the archive attribute set,
doesn't change the attribute.
/M Copies files with the archive attribute set,
turns off the archive attribute.
/D:date Copies files changed on or after the specified date.
If no date is given, copies only those files whose
source time is newer than the destination time.
/P Prompts you before creating each destination file.
/S Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.
/E Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty
ones. Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/W Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/C Continues copying even if errors occur.
/I If destination does not exist and copying more than one
file, assumes that destination must be a directory.
/Q Does not display file names while copying.
/F Displays full source and destination file names while
copying.
/L Displays files that would be copied.
/H Copies hidden and system files also.
/R Overwrites read-only files.
/T Creates directory structure, but does not copy files.
Does not include empty directories or subdirectories.
(/T /E includes empty directories and subdirectories.)

/U Updates the files that already exist in destination.
/K Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only
attributes.
/Y Overwrites existing files without prompting.
/-Y Prompts you before overwriting existing files.
/N Copy using the generated short names.

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xcopy32.exe
--------
Copies files and directory trees.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W]
[/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U]
[/K] [/N]

source Specifies the file(s) to copy.
destination Specifies the location and/or name of new files.

/A Copies files with the archive attribute set,
doesn't change the attribute.
/M Copies files with the archive attribute set,
turns off the archive attribute.
/D:date Copies files changed on or after the specified date.
If no date is given, copies only those files whose
source time is newer than the destination time.
/P Prompts you before creating each destination file.
/S Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.
/E Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty
ones. Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/W Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/C Continues copying even if errors occur.
/I If destination does not exist and copying more than one
file, assumes that destination must be a directory.
/Q Does not display file names while copying.
/F Displays full source and destination file names while
copying.
/L Displays files that would be copied.
/H Copies hidden and system files also.
/R Overwrites read-only files.
/T Creates directory structure, but does not copy files.
Does not include empty directories or subdirectories.
( /T /E includes empty directories and subdirectories.)

/U Updates the files that already exist in destination.
/K Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only
attributes.
/Y Overwrites existing files without prompting.
/-Y Prompts you before overwriting existing files.
/N Copy using the generated short names.