Besides running Windows XP programs, you can also enter commands and run programs written in MS-DOS. MS-DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System. MS-DOS, or DOS, employs a command-line interface through which you must type commands at a command prompt to run different tasks . A character such as a > or $ appears at the beginning of a command prompt. Each DOS command has a strict set of rules called a command syntax that you must follow when expressing a command. Many commands allow you to include switches and parameters that give you additional control of the command. Run a Command -
| Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. | -
| At the prompt, type a command including any parameters, and then press Enter. | -
| When you're done, click the Close button, or type exit , and then press Enter. | Find a Command -
| Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. | -
| At the prompt, type help , and then press Enter. | -
| Read the list of commands. Use the scroll bar or scroll arrows to display additional information. | -
| When you're done, click the Close button, or type exit , and then press Enter. | Get Information About a Command -
| Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. | -
| At the prompt, type a command followed by a space and /? , and then press Enter. | -
| Read the information about the command. Use the scroll bar or scroll arrows to display additional information. | -
| When you're done, click the Close button, or type exit , and then press Enter. | Did You Know? You can use a wildcard character to change more than one file . An asterisk is a wildcard and represents any number of characters . For example, the command dir at*.doc matchesat back.doc, ati.doc, and atlm.doc. You can change the appearance of the Command Prompt window . Right-click the Command Prompt window title bar, and then click Properties. | Common DOS Commands Command | Purpose | cd foldername | Changes to the specified folder | cls | Clears the screen | copy | Copies the specified files or folder | dir | Lists the contents of the current folder | c : (where c is a drive) | Switches to the specified drive | exit | Closes the Command Prompt window | rename | Renames the specified file or files | more filename | Displays the contents of a file, one screen of output at a time | type filename.txt | Displays the contents of the text file | | |