The Windows XP Command Line

Despite the ease of use of the Windows graphical user interface, the command-line interface provides a useful way to perform many maintenance, configuration, and diagnostic tasks. Many of the most important diagnostic tools such as ping, tracert, and nslookup are only available from the command line, unless you purchase third-party graphical add-ons to perform these functions. Using batch files remains a useful way to encapsulate common management functions; batch files (or shortcuts to batch files) can be placed in shared folders as a way of distributing management functions on a network. Together, command-line utilities and scripts run with either Windows Scripting Host (wscript) or the command-line-based scripting host (cscript.EXE) provide a complete set of building blocks from which you can build very high-level utilities if normal Windows commands aren't sufficient for your needs.

The Windows XP Professional command-line utilities include many of the same programs found in DOS and earlier versions of Windows. In many cases, the programs have been enhanced considerably. Utilities not found in DOS or Windows 9x are also available.

Command-line programs fall into five categories, as shown in Table 25.4.

Table 25.4. Categories of Command-Line Programs

Types of Commands	Description
Built-in	These commands are built into the command interpreter; for example, dir, copy, and rename.
Native	These commands call .EXE files; for example, sort.EXE, net.EXE, and more.EXE.
Subsystem	These commands are .EXE files from older operating systems that were designed to adjust the environment or interface. They run inside the virtual DOS machine. Examples are DOSKEY, SETVER, himem.sys, and dosx.EXE.
Batch file	These commands direct the flow of Execution in batch files; for example, for, goto, if, and else.
Configuration	These commands go in AUTOEXEC.NT, CONFIG.NT, and CONFIG.SYS in the root drive. They tune the subsystem during startup.

The command interpreter (the shell) in Windows XP is, by default, CMD.EXE. The CMD.EXE command interpreter is similar to DOS's old COMMAND.COM shell but has enhanced batch file functions and also has built-in command-line editing and a command history function similar to that provided by DOSKEY in DOS and Windows 9x. You don't need DOSKEY in Windows XP, unless you want to use its command aliasing feature.

Many of the built-in commands are significantly enhanced since Windows 9x and NT 4. To see a complete list of command-line utilities along with syntax and usage examples, open the Help and Support Center and search for Command-line reference A-Z. Click each command for use, syntax, and examples.

TIP

To learn how to get the most from the scripting and the Command Line environment, get Brian's book Windows XP Under the Hood: Hardcore Windows Scripting and Command Line Power, published by Que.

What's New or Different from MS-DOS

Windows XP retains and enhances almost all the functionality of MS-DOS. The following sections explain new Windows XP commands not found in MS-DOS, changes to MS-DOS commands, and unavailable MS-DOS commands.

TIP

You can see the command line syntax and options for most commands by typing the command name followed by /? in a command prompt window. For example, rasdial /? lists the options for the rasdial command.

The online command line reference provides more detail. See the previous tip to find out how to view the command line reference.

Also, try typing help xxxx, where xxxx is the name of the program you're interested in. Some commands are documented this way.

Windows XP Commands

Table 25.5 lists most of Windows XP's command-line commands. Some may be used only by a Computer Administrator.

Table 25.5. Windows XP Command-Line Commands

Command	Function	Command	Function
arp	Displays and edits the ARP cache	cipher	Encrypts and decrypts files and folders
asr_fmt	Automated System Recovery backup and restore	clspack	Lists Java system packages
asr_ldm	Automated System Recovery Logical Disk manager	cmd	Command shell
assoc	Associates filename extensions with file types	compact	Enables and disables file and folder compression
atmadm	Manages ATM network connections	convert	Schedules the conversion of a volume from FAT to NTFS
attrib	Displays and sets file/folder attributes	cscript	Windows Script Host (command command-line version)
bootcfg	Modifies the BOOT.INI configuration file	defrag	Defragments a disk volume
cacls	Clears the Command Prompt window	diantz	Compress files into a .CAB file (same as makecab)
chkntfs	Schedules automatic chkdsk at boot time	diskpart	Manages disk partitions
diskperf	Starts the physical disk performance counters	getmac	Displays network adapter MAC addresses
driverquery	Lists the installed device drivers	goto	Goes to the label in a batch file
endlocal	Restores environment variables	gpresult	Computes and displays Group Policy Resultant Set of Policy
esentutl	MS database utility	gpupdate	Forces the update of Local and Group Policy settings
eventcreate	Adds an event to the event log	graftabl	Enables the display of graphics characters in the MS-DOS environment
eventquery	Lists events from the event log	graphics	Loads the graphics printer driver (obsolete)
eventtriggers	Displays and configures event triggers	grpconv	Program Manager Group converter
expand	Expands a file from a .CAB file	help	Displays command command-line program usage information
find	Finds text in files	hostname	Displays the local computer's TCP/IP hostname
findstr	Finds text in files using regular expressions	iexpress	Creates simple Installer applications
finger	Displays information about a user (UNIX)	if	Executes a command conditionally
for	Repeat command (many options)	ipconfig	Displays the TCP/IP configuration and manages DHCP leases
forcedos	Runs a program in the MS-DOS environment	ipsec6	Configures IPSec over IPv6 security
format	Formats a fixed or removable disk	ipvg	Installs and configures IPv6
fsutil	Manages the Windows file system	ipxroute	Displays and edits the IPX/SPX protocol's routing table
ftp	File Transfer Protocol	jdbgmgr	Microsoft debugger for Java
ftype	Associates file types to "open" commands	jview	Command-line loader for Java
label	Sets the volume label on a disk or mount point	mqbkup	MS Message Queue backup and restore utility
loadfix	Runs an program above the first 64KB of memory	mrinfo	Multicasts routing using SNMP
loadhigh	Loads an MS-DOS TSR program into high memory	mscdexnt	MS CD Extensions, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT
lodctr	Installs, backs up, or restores performance performance-counter definitions	msg	Sends a message to anotheruser
logman	Schedules the automatic collection of performance information	nbtstat	Displays NetBIOS-over-TCP/IP statistics and name tables
logoff	Logs off from Windows	net	Networking management utility
lpq	Displays the printer queue (UNIX)	netsh	Network-configuration utility
lpr	Prints a file (UNIX)	netstat	Displays the current TCP/IP connections and open sockets
makecab	Compresses files into a .CAB file	nlsfunc	Loads country/region information
md	Creates a directory (same as mkdir)	nslookup	Query Queries DNS servers
mem	Displays free memory in the MS-DOS subsystem	ntsd	System-level debugger
mkdir	Creates a directory (same as md)	ntvdm	MS-DOS virtual machine environment
mode	Configures port, display, and keyboard settings	nw16	Netware NetWare 16-bit redirector, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT
more	Displays text a page at a time	odbcconf	Configures ODBC drivers and data sources
mountvol	Creates, deletes, and lists volume mount points	openfiles	Displays files in use by local processes or network users
move	Moves files or folders	pagefileconfig	Manages the virtual memory pagefile
path	Sets the command search path	qprocess	Displays information about processes (local or remote)
pathping	Tests TCP/IP connectivity	qwinsta	Displays information about Terminal Services sessions
pause	Stops a batch file until the user presses Enter	rasautou	Creates a RAS connection
ping	Tests TCP/IP connectivity	rasdial	Starts and ends Dial-up Networking connections
ping6	IPv6 Ping	rasphone	Pop-up Dial-up Networking manager
popd	Restores the current directory	rcp	Copies files to another computer (UNIX)
print	Copies a file to a local LPT-port printer	rd	Removes a directory (same as rmdir)
prncnfg	Configures printers	recover	Extracts data from a damaged disk
prndrvr	Installs and lists print drivers	redir	Networking redirector, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT
prnjobs	Manages print jobs	reg	Edits or displays Registry data
prnmngr	Manages local and network printer connections	regini	Creates Registry entries and sets permissions
prnport	Manages TCP/IP printers	regsvr32	Registers a .DLL file as a COM computer
prnqctl	Prints test pages, as well as starts and stops the printer queue	relog	Changes the format or rate for performance log files
prompt	Sets the command command-line prompt	rem	Remarks or comments text
proxycfg	Sets the HTTP Proxy server	ren	Renames files or folders (same as rename)
pubprn	Publishes printers to Active Directory	rename	Renames files or folders (same as ren)
pushd	Saves the current directory	replace	Replaces files
qappsrv	Displays the available application terminal servers on the network	reset	Deletes a Terminal Services session
rEXEc	UNIX remote execute	share	(Does nothing on Windows XP)
rmdir	Removes a directory (same as rd)	shift	Deletes and moves command command-line arguments
route	Displays or edits the current routing tables	shutdown	Shuts down, logs off, or restarts a computer
rsh	Remote shell (UNIX)	sort	Sorts text files alphabetically (filter)
rsm	Manages removable storage media pools	start	Runs a command or opens a document in a new window
runas	Runs a program with another user's credentials	subst	Maps a drive letter to a local folder
rundll32	Launches a 32-bit DLL program	syskey	Encrypts and secures the system database
rwinsta	Resets the session subsystem hardware and software to their known initial values	systeminfo	Displays a system hardware and software summary
sc	Displays and manages installed services	taskkill	Terminates a process
schtasks	Displays and manages scheduled tasks	tasklist	Lists active processes
sdbinst	Application compatibility database installer	telnet	Establishes a command-line session on another computer
set	Sets environment variables	tftp	Trivial File Transfer Protocol
setdebug	Enables and disables ActiveX debugging for Java	time	Displays and sets the time of day
setlocal	Saves the current environment	title	Sets the window title
setver	Lies about the MS-DOS version to old applications	tlntadmn	Telnet Server Administrator
sfc	Verifies system file integrity	tlntsess	Displays the current Telnet sessions
shadow	Monitors or controls a Terminal Services session	tracerpt	Gathers or summarizes event trace information
tracert	Checks TCP/IP connectivity	vssadmin	Displays shadow copy backups and providers
TRacert6	IPv6 trace route	vwipxspx	NetWare protocol stack, loaded in AUTOEXEC.NT
tree	Displays the directory structure	wmic	Queries and manages Windows XP via Windows Management Instrumentation
tsdiscon	Disconnects a Windows/Terminal Services session	wscript	Windows Script Host (windowed version)
tskill	Terminates a process in a Terminal Services session	xcopy	Copies multiple files
tsprof	Copies and manages Terminal Services user profiles	&	Separates multiple commands on the command line.
tsshutdn	Shuts down or restarts a Terminal Services server profiles	&&	Separates multiple commands. Command following && runs only if the command preceding && succeeds
type	Copies a text file to the console window	|	Seperate commands. Output of the command preceding | is sent as input to command after |
typeperf	Displays performance data	||	Seperates commands. Command following || runs only if the command preceding || symbol fails
unlodctr	Removes performance performance-counter definitions	( )	Groups commands
verify	Controls automatic verify-after-write	; or,	Separates parameters
		^	Escape character, removes special meaning from characters like & and |. For example, ^| is treated as ordinary text |

Changes to MS-DOS Commands

Table 25.6 lists some changes and improvements to command line programs that date back to MS-DOS.

Table 25.6. Changes to MS-DOS Commands in Windows XP

Command	Changed Features
chcp	This command changes code pages for full-screen mode only.
cmd	CMD.EXE replaces COMMAND.COM.
del	New switches provide many more functions.
dir	New switches provide many more functions.
diskcomp	Switches /1 and /8 are not supported.
diskcopy	Switch /1 is not supported.
doskey	DOSKEY has several enhancements. However, it functions with 32-bit Windows command line (console) applications only, and is not active in the 16-bit MS DOS environment.
format	Switches /b, /s, and /u are not supported. Adds new filesystem and cluster-size switches.
label	The symbols ^ and & can be used in a volume label.
mode	This command has had extensive changes.
more	New switches provide many more functions.
print	Switches /b, /c, /m, /p, /q, /s, /t, and /u are not supported.
prompt	New character combinations allow you to add ampersands ($a), parentheses ($c and $f), and spaces ($s) to your prompt.
recover	This command recovers files only.
rmdir	The new /s switch deletes directories containing files and subdirectories.
sort	This command does not require the TEMP environment variable. File size is unlimited.
xcopy	New switches provide many more functions.

I'll talk a bit more about some enhanced commands at the end of this chapter, under "Tips from the Windows Pros."

Unavailable MS-DOS Commands

The MS-DOS commands in Table 25.7 are not available at the Windows XP command prompt.

Table 25.7. MS-DOS Commands Not Available in Windows XP

Command	New Procedure or Reason for Obsolescence
assign	Not supported in Windows XP.
backup	Not currently supported.
choice	Not currently supported.
ctty	Not currently supported.
dblspace	Not supported.
deltree	The rmdir /s command deletes directories containing files and subdirectories.
dosshell	Unnecessary with Windows XP.
drvspace	Not currently supported.
emm386	Extended memory support is provided for MS-DOS applications through EMM.SYS, which should appear in CONFIG.NT.
fasthelp	This MS-DOS 6.0 command is the same as the Windows XP command help. Windows XP also provides an online command reference.
fdisk	Disk Management prepares hard disks for use with Windows XP.
include	Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported.
interlnk	Not supported. Use the Network Connections Wizard to configure a direct connection via parallel, serial, or infrared (IR) ports.
intersrv	Not supported. Use the Network Connections wizard to configure a direct connection via parallel, serial, or infrared (IR) ports.
join	Filesystems can be joined from the Disk Management console.
memmaker	Windows XP automatically optimizes the MS-DOS subsystem's memory use.
menucolor	Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported.
menudefault	Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported.
menuitem	Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported.
mirror	Not supported in Windows XP.
msav	Not supported.
msbackup	Windows XP provides the optional NTBackup utility (under the Administrative Tools in the Control Panel) for computers with tape drives or the xcopy command for computers without tape drives. Install NTBackup from the \3RDPARTY\MSFT\NTBACKUP folder of the Windows XP CD-ROM.
mscdex	CD-ROM support for MS-DOS applications is provided by mscdexnt, run within AUTOEXEC.NT.
msd	You can use the System Information snap-in instead. To start System Information, choose Start, Run, and then type msinfo32. System Information is much more accurate and much more complete than msd.
numlock	Not currently supported.
power	Not supported.
restore	Not currently supported.
scandisk	Not supported.
smartdrv	Windows XP automatically provides disk caching for the MS-DOS subsystem.
submenu	Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported.
sys	Windows XP does not fit on a standard 1.2MB or 1.44MB floppy disk.
undelete	Not supported in Windows XP.
unformat	Not supported in Windows XP.
vsafe	Not supported.

Speeding Up Legacy Programs

Read on if you want to learn how to monitor a 16-bit Windows-based program or an MS-DOSbased program. In Windows XP Professional, 16-bit Windows-based programs run as separate threads in a multithreaded process called Windows Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM). The NTVDM process simulates a 16-bit Windows environment.

An MS-DOSbased program runs in its own NTVDM process. You can monitor a 16-bit program or an MS-DOSbased program running on your computer with System Monitor by monitoring the NTVDM instance of the Process performance object. Note that 16-bit programs running in an NTVDM appear only if they are started in a separate memory space. If you find that your 16-bit programs are not performing well under Windows XP Professional, you can access some of the program's properties by right-clicking the name of the program in Windows Explorer and configuring the properties as follows:

• If the program is in a window, and the display performance is slow, on the Screen tab, click Full-Screen.

• If the program is in a window and seems to pause periodically, click the Misc tab, and set the Idle Sensitivity slider to Low.

You can turn off Compatible Timer Hardware Emulation for the program if performance does not improve by changing the previously described settings. To do so, right-click _DEFAULT.PIF or the program name, select Properties, point to Program, and click Advanced. In the dialog box that appears, clear the Compatible Timer Hardware Emulation check box. This change typically causes a decrease in performance and should be made only if other efforts fail.