Complete list of MS-DOS commands.

Complete list of commonly used MS-DOS commands.

This is the list that was stole from us and placed on the Black H0le website. So, remember Tech Tips 4 U had it first.

Software KB

kb# SW00021

A	ATTRIB	APPEND	ARP	ASSIGN
B	BACKUP	BREAK	BUFFERS
C	CALL	CD,MD,RD	CHDIR	CHKDSK	CHOICE	CLS	COMMAND	COMP	COPY
D	DATE	DEBUG	DEFRAG	DEL	DELTREE	DIR	DISKCOPY
E	EXTRACT
F	FDISK	FIND	FORMAT	FTP
G
H
I
J
K
L	LABEL
M	MEM	MODE	MORE	MOVE
N	NBTSTAT	NET	NETDDE	NETSTAT
O
P	PING
Q
R	REN	ROUTE
S	SCANDISK	SCANREG	SMARTDRV	SORT	START	SYS
T	TELNET	TRACERT
U
V	VER
W	WIN
X	XCOPY
Y
Z

ATTRIB

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.

attrib +r autoexec.bat - This would make the autoexec.bat so it cannot be modified until the read only attribute is taken off.

attrib +h io.sys - This would make the config.sys hidden so to the average user this file would not be existent however if the attrib command it typed alone "attrib" this will show any hidden files.

attrib -h io.sys - This command will do the apposite of the above command. Instead of hiding the file it will unhide the file if hidden.

ARP

ARP -s [inet_addr] [eth_adr] [if_addr]
ARP -d [inet_addr] [if_addr]
ARP -a [inet_addr] [-N if_addr]

-a	Displays current ARP entries by interrogating the current protocol data. If inet_addr is specified, the IP and Physical addresses for only the specified computer are displayed. If more than one network interface uses ARP, entries for each ARP table are displayed.
-g	Same as -a
inet_addr	Specifies an internet address.
-N if addr	Displays the ARP entries for the network interface specified by if_addr.
-d	Deletes the host specified by inet_addr.
-s	Adds the host and associates the Internet address inet_addr with the Physical address eth_addr. The Physical address is given as 6 hexadecimal bytes seperated by hyphens. The entry is permanent.
eth_addr	Specifies a physical address
if_addr	If present, this specifies the Internet address of the interface whose address translation table should be modified. If not present, the first applicable interface will be used.

arp -a

Interface 220.0.0.80

Internet Address Physical Address Type

220.0.0.160 00-50-04-62-F7-23 static

The Physical Address as shown above in the format aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff is the unique manufacture identification number. This number should always be a unique address.

An example of how to change the above IP address 220.0.0.160 to 220.0.0.161 in this case would be:

arp -s 220.0.0.161 00-50-04-62-F7-23

It is important to not that if a IP address has already been assigned to the specific network adapter it is not possible to change that assigned IP address to a new address. In addition networks italicizing DHCP, BOOTP or RARP will automatically assign the card an IP address therefore this command would not be utilized.

CD,MD,RD

CD
Changes current directory

CHDIR [drive:][path]
CHDIR[..]
CD [drive:][path]
CD[..]

MD
Creates a directory.

MKDIR [drive:]path
MD [drive:]path

RD
Removes (deletes) a directory.

RMDIR [drive:]path
RD [drive:]path

CHKDSK

Checks a disk and displays a status report.

CHKDSK [drive:][[path]filename] [/F] [/V]

[drive:][path]	Specifies the drive and directory to check.
filename	Specifies the file(s) to check for fragmentation.
/F	Fixes errors on the disk.
/V	Displays the full path and name of every file on the disk.

Type CHKDSK without parameters to check the current disk.

Instead of using CHKDSK, try using SCANDISK. SCANDISK can reliably detect
and fix a much wider range of disk problems.

chkdsk = Will display all information described above and also report any crossed linked files.
chkdsk /f = Will fix any crossed linked files however do not run this command while you are in

CHOICE

choice

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

Options:
/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

Choice is commonly found in batch files. no example available

CLS

CLS clears your screen.

COPY

Syntax= Copy [filename] [location]

copy myfile.txt a:\backup

DIR

Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.

DIR [drive:][path][filename] [/P] [/W] [/A[[:]attributes]] [/O[[:]sortorder]] [/S] [/B] [/L] [/V]

[drive:][path][filename]	Specifies drive, directory, and/or files to list. (Could be file specifications or multiple files.)
/P	Pauses after each screenful of information.
/W	Uses wide list format.
/A	attributes: D Directories R Read-only files H Hidden files A Files ready for archiving S System files - Prefix meaning not
/O	List by files in sorted order, sortorder: N By name (alphabetic) S By size (smallest first) E By extension (alphabetic) D By date & time (earliest first) G Group directories first - Prefix to reverse order A By Last Access Date (earliest first)
/S	Displays files in specified directory and all subdirectories.
/B	Uses bare format (no information summary).
/L	Uses lowercase.
/V	Verbose mode.

Debug

A script compiler used in MS-DOS to compile Assembler scripts

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.

There are many scripts available online to do different things with your system. TechTips4U has a script that you can use to perform a low level format on you hard drive located Here

DEFRAG

Used to Defragment your hard dirve

DEFRAG <volume> [-a] [-f] [-v] [-?]
volume drive letter or mount point (d: or d:\vol\mountpoint)
-a Analyze only
-f Force defragmentation even if free space is low
-v Verbose output
-? Display this help text

DELTREE

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.
To see this command in action click here.

DISKCOPY

Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.

DISKCOPY [drive1: [drive2:]] [/V]

/V Verifies that the information is copied correctly.

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

EXTRACT

This command extracts files that are in a .cab file. To see this command in action click here.

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.

FDISK

Configures a hard disk for use with MS-DOS.

FDISK [/STATUS] /X

/STATUS Displays partition information.
/X Ignores extended disk-access support .
/MBR - Command used to rewrite the Master Boot Record.
/CMBR <DRIVE> - Recreate Master Boot Record on specified disk. Performs the same functions as FDISK /MBR except can be used on other disk drives.
1/PRI:nnn - Command line to create a nnn meg DOS partition on hard drive 1.
1/EXT:nnn - Command line to create a nnn meg extended DOS partition on hard drive 1.
1/LOG:nnn - Command line to create a nnn logical drives.
/PARTN - Saves the partition information to a file called PARTSAV.FIL
/Q - Prevents fdisk from restarting the system automatically after quiting fdisk.
/STATUS - Shows you the current status of your partitions.
/ACTOK - Makes FDISK skip disk integrity check wich makes partition creation faster.
/FPRMT - Will force fdisk into using FAT32 on drives smaller then 540MB this command will only work with FDISK that allows FAT32.

FORMAT

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 version of 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 Allowes space on the formatted disk for system files.
/S Copies system files to the freshly 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."

When using the format command remember all information the drive you wish to format will be completely erased.

format a: Would erase all the contents off the disk in drive a:. Commonly used on a diskette that has not been formatted, give you an error or a disk you wish to erase.

format a: /q - Quickly erases all the contents of the disk in drive a:. Commonly used to quickly erase a diskette.

FIND

Searches for a text string in a file or files.

FIND [/V] [/C] [/N] [/I] [/OFF[LINE]] "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.
/OFF[LINE] Do not skip files with offline attribute set.
"string" Specifies the text string to find.
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies a file or files to search.

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

FTP

Used to connect to a remote computer Via File Transfer Protocol

here is a list of commands used while running ftp

Commands may be abbreviated. Commands are:

!	delete	literal	prompt	open	send
?	debug	ls	put	close	status
append	dir	mdelete	pwd	rename	trace
ascii	disconnect	mdir	quit	mput	type
bell	get	mget	quote	help	user
binary	glob	mkdir	recv	lcd	verbose
bye	hash	mls	remotehelp	rmdir	cd
For help with these commands type the command followed by /?

LABEL

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

LABEL [drive:][label]
LABEL [/MP] [volume] [label]

drive: Specifies the drive letter of a drive.
label Specifies the label of the volume.
/MP Specifies that the volume should be treated as a
mount point or volume name.
volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name. If volume name is specified,
the /MP flag is unnecessary.

MEM

Displays the amount of used and free memory in your system.

MEM [/PROGRAM | /DEBUG | /CLASSIFY]

/PROGRAM or /P Displays status of programs currently loaded in memory.
/DEBUG or /D Displays status of programs, internal drivers, and other
information.
/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.

MODE

Displays output one screen at a time.

MORE [/E [/C] [/P] [/S] [/Tn] [+n]] < [drive:][path]filename
command-name | MORE [/E [/C] [/P] [/S] [/Tn] [+n]]
MORE /E [/C] [/P] [/S] [/Tn] [+n] [files]

[drive:][path]filename Specifies a file to display one
screen at a time.

command-name Specifies a command whose output
will be displayed.

/E Enable extended features
/C Clear screen before displaying page
/P Expand FormFeed characters
/S Squeeze multiple blank lines into a single line
/Tn Expand tabs to n spaces (default 8)

Switches can be present in the MORE environment
variable.

+n Start displaying the first file at line n

files List of files to be displayed. Files in the list
are separated by blanks.

If extended features are enabled, the following commands
are accepted at the -- More -- prompt:

P n Display next n lines
S n Skip next n lines
F Display next file
Q Quit
= Show line number
? Show help line
<space> Display next page
<ret> Display next line

MOVE

Moves files and renames files and directories.

To move one or more files:
MOVE [/Y | /-Y] [drive:][path]filename1[,...] destination

To rename a directory:
MOVE [/Y | /-Y] [drive:][path]dirname1 dirname2

[drive:][path]filename1 Specifies the location and name of the file
or files you want to move.
destination Specifies the new location of the file. Destination
can consist of a drive letter and colon, a
directory name, or a combination. If you are moving
only one file, you can also include a filename if
you want to rename the file when you move it.
[drive:][path]dirname1 Specifies the directory you want to rename.
dirname2 Specifies the new name of the directory.

/Y Suppresses prompting to confirm you want to
overwrite an existing destination file.
/-Y Causes prompting to confirm you want to overwrite
an existing destination file.

The switch /Y may be present in the COPYCMD environment variable.
This may be overridden with /-Y on the command line. Default is
to prompt on overwrites unless MOVE command is being executed from
within a batch script.

Ping

Usage: ping [-t] [-a] [-n count] [-l size] [-f] [-i TTL] [-v TOS]
[-r count] [-s count] [[-j host-list] | [-k host-list]]
[-w timeout] destination-list

Options:
-t Ping the specified host until stopped.
To see statistics and continue - type Control-Break;
To stop - type Control-C.
-a Resolve addresses to hostnames.
-n count Number of echo requests to send.
-l size Send buffer size.
-f Set Don't Fragment flag in packet.
-i TTL Time To Live.
-v TOS Type Of Service.
-r count Record route for count hops.
-s count Timestamp for count hops.
-j host-list Loose source route along host-list.
-k host-list Strict source route along host-list.
-w timeout Timeout in milliseconds to wait for each reply.

REN

You can rename a file using this command just type ren then the name of the file you want to rename then the name you want to rename it

Ver

Displays the Windows version.

Win

Starts Windows.

WIN [/D:[F][M][S][V][X]]

/D Used for troubleshooting when Windows does not start correctly.
:F Turns off 32-bit disk access.
Equivalent to SYSTEM.INI file setting: 32BitDiskAccess=FALSE.
:M Enables Safe mode.
This is automatically enabled during Safe start (function key F5).
:N Enables Safe mode with networking.
This is automatically enabled during Safe start (function key F6).
:S Specifies that Windows should not use ROM address space between
F000:0000 and 1 MB for a break point.
Equivalent to SYSTEM.INI file setting: SystemROMBreakPoint=FALSE.
:V Specifies that the ROM routine will handle interrupts from the hard
disk controller.
Equivalent to SYSTEM.INI file setting: VirtualHDIRQ=FALSE.
:X Excludes all of the adapter area from the range of memory that Windows
scans to find unused space.
Equivalent to SYSTEM.INI file setting: EMMExclude=A000-FFFF.

XCOPY

NBTSTAT

Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT
(NetBIOS over TCP/IP).

NBTSTAT [ [-a RemoteName] [-A IP address] [-c] [-n]
[-r] [-R] [-RR] [-s] [-S] [interval] ]

-a (adapter status) Lists the remote machine's name table given its name
-A (Adapter status) Lists the remote machine's name table given its
IP address.
-c (cache) Lists NBT's cache of remote [machine] names and their IP
addresses
-n (names) Lists local NetBIOS names.
-r (resolved) Lists names resolved by broadcast and via WINS
-R (Reload) Purges and reloads the remote cache name table
-S (Sessions) Lists sessions table with the destination IP addresses
-s (sessions) Lists sessions table converting destination IP
addresses to computer NETBIOS names.
-RR (ReleaseRefresh) Sends Name Release packets to WINS and then, starts Refr
esh

RemoteName Remote host machine name.
IP address Dotted decimal representation of the IP address.
interval Redisplays selected statistics, pausing interval seconds
between each display. Press Ctrl+C to stop redisplaying
statistics.

NET

NET command /HELP

Commands available are:

NET ACCOUNTS
NET HELP
NET SHARE
NET COMPUTER
NET HELPMSG
NET START
NET CONFIG
NET LOCALGROUP
NET STATISTICS
NET CONFIG SERVER
NET NAME NET STOP
NET CONFIG WORKSTATION
NET PAUSE
NET TIME
NET CONTINUE
NET PRINT
NET USE
NET FILE
NET SEND
NET USER
NET GROUP
NET SESSION
NET VIEW

NET HELP SERVICES lists some of the services you can start.
NET HELP SYNTAX explains how to read NET HELP syntax lines.
NET HELP command | MORE displays Help one screen at a time.

NETSTAT

Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP network connections.

NETSTAT [-a] [-e] [-n] [-o] [-s] [-p proto] [-r] [interval]

-a Displays all connections and listening ports.
-e Displays Ethernet statistics. This may be combined with the -s
option.
-n Displays addresses and port numbers in numerical form.
-o Displays the owning process ID associated with each connection.
-p proto Shows connections for the protocol specified by proto; proto
may be any of: TCP, UDP, TCPv6, or UDPv6. If used with the -s
option to display per-protocol statistics, proto may be any of:
IP, IPv6, ICMP, ICMPv6, TCP, TCPv6, UDP, or UDPv6.
-r Displays the routing table.
-s Displays per-protocol statistics. By default, statistics are
shown for IP, IPv6, ICMP, ICMPv6, TCP, TCPv6, UDP, and UDPv6;
the -p option may be used to specify a subset of the default.
interval Redisplays selected statistics, pausing interval seconds
between each display. Press CTRL+C to stop redisplaying
statistics. If omitted, netstat will print the current
configuration information once.