DOS/Command Prompt Reference

This page includes 100 or more command references for MS-DOS Prompt and Windows Command Prompt. Some command references have samples for the prompt and the batch files.

The list of commands by purpose, such as ‘File operations’ and ‘Text operations,’ is available here.

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Command list

To search by purpose such as ‘File operations’ and ‘Text operations,’ see: ‘List of commands by purpose’.

Commands/Programs [Alphabetical order]
A B C D E F G H IJKL MNO P Q R S TUV W XYZ
A
Adddrv	[DOS][W9x]Loads character device files into the current session.	Sample: `adddrv C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DOSIME.SYS` Details:Adddrv
Append	[DOS]Configures files in the specified directory to be treated as if they exist in the current directory.	Sample: `append c:\data;d:\data` Details:Append
Assoc	Displays or modifies file associations.	Sample: `assoc \| findstr /R =txtfile$` Details:Assoc
Attrib	Displays or changes file/directory attributes.	Sample: `attrib +R +H +S c:\command.com` Details:Attrib
B
Break	[DOS]Changes the configuration for handling Ctrl+C input during file access and similar operations.	Sample: `break on` Details:Break
C
Call	Executes a batch program from a batch program without terminating. Or executes subroutines.	Sample: `call :exec_cmd foo.exe %1` Details:Call
Cd	Changes the current directory.	Sample: `cd /D D:\MyData\Music` Details:Cd, Chdir
Chcp	Displays/changes the code page for the current session.	Sample: `chcp 65001` Details:Chcp
Chdir	Changes the current directory.	Sample: `chdir /D D:\MyData\Music` Details:Cd, Chdir
Chev	[DOS][W9x]Switches the language (mode) for the current session.	Sample: `chev US` Details:Chev
Chkdsk	Conducts a disk check.	Sample: `chkdsk C: /scan` Details:Chkdsk
Chkntfs	Schedules volume check for the next startup.	Sample: `chkntfs /C C:` Details:Chkntfs
Choice	Displays choices on the screen and prompts for input.	Sample: `choice /C YN /M "Continue"` Details:Choice
Clip	Copies the provided input to the clipboard.	Sample: `set /P MY_TMP="Hoge" < NUL \| clip` Details:Clip
Cls	Clears all output in the screen.	Sample: `cls` Details:Cls
Cmd	Executes the Windows Command Interpreter (Command Prompt).	Sample: `cmd /S /C "mklink /S foo bar"` Details:Cmd
Color	Changes the prompt color.	Sample: `color 0F` Details:Color
Command	[DOS][W9x]Executes the MS-DOS command interpreter (MS-DOS prompt).	Sample: `command /K setting.bat` Details:Command
Comp	Compares files in binary.	Sample: `comp data1.txt data2.txt` Details:Comp
Compact	Manages the compression status of files on NTFS.	Sample: `compact /S:D:\document /C` Details:Compact
Convert	Converts a volume with FAT/FAT32 file system to NTFS.	Sample: `fsutil file createnew Q:\ph.bin 16777216 convert Q: /FS:NTFS /CvtArea:ph.bin /NoSecurity` Details:Convert
Copy	Copies the file(s).	Sample: `copy /Y source.txt dest.txt` Details:Copy
Curl	Performs data transfer using URLs.	Sample: `curl -LO http://www.pg-fl.jp/music/Simple.sf2` Details:Curl
D
Date	Displays and changes the system date.	Sample: `echo.\| date` Details:Date
Del	Deletes the file(s).	Sample: `del test.*` Details:Del, Erase
Deldrv	[DOS][W9x]Unloads character device files that have been loaded into the current session.	Sample: `deldrv` Details:Deldrv
Deltree	[DOS][W9x]Deletes the directory tree (directory and files/directories in its directory).	Sample: `deltree /Y test` Details:Deltree
Dir	Displays the file list in the directory.	Sample: `dir C:\WINDOWS /W` Details:Dir
Diskcomp	Compares the (floppy) disks.	Sample: `diskcomp A: A:` Details:Diskcomp
Diskcopy	Copies the (floppy) disk.	Sample: `C: diskcopy A: A:` Details:Diskcopy
Doskey	Configures input assistance settings for the prompt.	Sample: `doskey delall=del .` Details:Doskey
Driverquery	Outputs a comprehensive list of installed drivers on the system.	Sample: `driverquery /FO TABLE /NH /V \| findstr /I /C:"usb"` Details:Driverquery
E
Echo	Outputs text to the screen. Also toggles prompt display.	Sample: `echo Hello!` Details:Echo
Endlocal	Ends localization of environment changes.	Sample: `endlocal` Details:Endlocal
Erase	Deletes the file(s).	Sample: `erase test.*` Details:Del, Erase
Exit	Exits the prompt, batch programs, or subroutines.	Sample: `exit /B 0` Details:Exit
Expand	Expands files compressed in a specific format.	Sample: `expand -R D:\SETUP\APP.EX_ C:\PROGRAM` Details:Expand
F
Fc	Compares files.	Sample: `fc /C /N /W data1.txt data2.txt` Details:Fc
Find	Searches for the string from the file.	Sample: `find /n "the" document.txt` Details:Find
Findstr	Searches for the string from the file. More advanced search options than Find are available.	Sample: `findstr /c:"the more" document.txt` Details:Findstr
For	Executes a command for each files or texts matching with the specified pattern.	Sample: `for /F "usebackq delims=" %t in ("D:\My Files\hoge.txt") do @foo.exe "%t"` Details:For
Forfiles	Executes a command on files/directories located under the specified directory.	Sample: `forfiles /P %CD%\data\2017 /S /M *.xml /C "\"D:\My Tools\Parser.exe\" Parser.exe\" /I @path /O \"%CD%\output\2017\""` Details:Forfiles
Format	Formats a drive.	Sample: `format H: /FS:NTFS` Details:Format
Ftp	Connects to the FTP server and performs file transfers.	Sample: `ftp ftp.microsoft.com` Details:Ftp
Ftype	Manages the file types used in file associations.	Sample: `ftype \| find /I "notepad.exe"` Details:Ftype
G
Goto	Moves execution to the specified label in batch files.	Sample: `goto OnExit` Details:Goto
H
Help	Displays the command's help.	Sample: `help robocopy \| more` Details:Help
Hostname	Outputs the hostname for the computer on which the Hostname program is executed to the screen.	Sample: `for /f "delims=" %N in ('hostname') do set "MY_HOSTNAME=%N"` Details:Hostname
I
Icacls	Displays or changes Access Control List (ACL).	Sample: `icacls PrivateSchedule /reset icacls PrivateSchedule /grant:r Luminas:F /grant:r BUILTIN\Administrators:F /inheritance:r` Details:Icacls
If	Executes a command when specified condition is met.	Sample: `if exist E:\MySetup.ini goto Finish if "%errorlevel%"=="255" echo Fatal error has occurred.` Details:If
Ipconfig	Performs operations related to network adapters and IP addresses.	Sample: `ipconfig /flushdns` Details:Ipconfig
L
Label	Displays or changes the volume label of a drive.	Sample: `label G: User Drive` Details:Label
Lh	[DOS]Loads a resident program into upper memory.	Sample: `LH mscdex.exe /D:CDROM1` Details:Lh, Loadhigh
Loadhigh	[DOS]Loads a resident program into upper memory.	Sample: `LOADHIGH mscdex.exe /D:CDROM1` Details:Lh, Loadhigh
M
Md	Creates a new directory.	Sample: `md C:\Programs\MyProg` Details:Md, Mkdir
Mem	[DOS]Outputs the memory usage status of resident programs.	Sample: `mem /c /p` Details:Mem
Mkdir	Creates a new directory.	Sample: `mkdir C:\Programs\MyProg` Details:Md, Mkdir
Mklink	Creates a symbolic link, a hard link, etc.	Sample: `mklink NewFile.ini D:\home\target.ini` Details:Mklink
Mode	Configures devices such as CON, COMn, etc.	Sample: `mode CON cp select=65001 > NUL` Details:Mode
More command	Displays the long output per screen.	Sample: `type C:\Config.sys \| more` Details:More command
Mountvol	Manages volume drive assignments.	Sample: `mountvol X: \\?\Volume{00000000-1111-2222-3344-5566778899aa}` Details:Mountvol
Move	Moves the file(s).	Sample: `move *.log C:\Logs\Current` Details:Move
O
Openfiles	Checks and closes open files among those shared remotely.	Sample: `openfiles /query /v` Details:Openfiles
P
Path	Displays or changes the path(s) to search for programs.	Sample: `path C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS` Details:Path
Pause	Stops (pauses) the execution and prompts for any key input.	Sample: `pause > NUL` Details:Pause
Ping	Sends packets to a specified host to verify network connectivity, response time, and packet loss.	Sample: `ping -t 192.168.1.1` Details:Ping
Popd	Restores Pushd's directory change just before.	Sample: `popd` Details:Popd
Print	Prints (sends) text to the printer.	Sample: `print myData.ps` Details:Print
Prompt	Sets/changes the prompt display.	Sample: `prompt [$d $t$h$h$h] $n$g` Details:Promt
Pushd	Changes the current directory. The current directory can be restored by calling Popd.	Sample: `pushd \\myserver\files\20120922` Details:Pushd
Q
Qbasic	[DOS]Launches MS-DOS QBasic.	Sample: `qbasic /RUN C:\APPS\GAME.BAS` Details:Qbasic
R
Rd	Deletes the directory.	Sample: `rd /S /Q D:\Documents\data\2020` Details:Rd, Rmdir
Recover	Attempts to recover (restore) the file.	Sample: `recover D:\Data\foo.xls` Details:Recover
Reg	Operates on the Windows Registry.	Sample: `reg query "HKCU\Software\My Company\MyApp" /v Version` Details:Reg
Rem	Does nothing. Used for writing comments in batch files.	Sample: `rem Version 2012-06-17` Details:Rem
Ren	Changes the name of the file.	Sample: `ren C:\Foo\document.txt hello.txt` Details:Ren, Rename
Rename	Changes the name of the file.	Sample: `rename C:\Foo\document.txt hello.txt` Details:Ren, Rename
Replace	Replaces files in a specified directory with files from another directory.	Sample: `replace D:\*.log E:\logs /U` Details:Replace
Rmdir	Deletes the directory.	Sample: `rmdir /S /Q D:\Documents\data\2020` Details:Rd, Rmdir
Robocopy	Copy files and directories using the specified conditions.	Sample: `robocopy P:\Logs Q:\Backup\Logs /E /IF access. error. /XF access_ignore_. error_ignore_.` Details:Robocopy
Runas	Runs the program with a user and privileges different from the current user.	Sample: `runas /user:Administrator "powershell Start-Process cmd.exe -Verb runas"` Details:Runas
S
Scandisk	[DOS][W9x]Performs a check on the disk (drive) and repair the file system.	Sample: `scandisk /ALL /AUTOFIX /NOSAVE` Details:Scandisk
Schtasks	Manages tasks, which execute programs at specific timings.	Sample: `schtasks /create /tn CheckUpdate /tr D:\home\updater.exe /sc daily /st 17:00` Details:Schtasks
Set	Displays or modifies environment variables.	Sample: `set PATH=D:\bin;%PATH%` Details:Set
Setlocal	Begins localization of environment changes, making environment variable changes or etc. temporary.	Sample: `setlocal enableextensions enabledelayedexpansion` Details:Setlocal
Setver	[DOS][W9x]Manages the MS-DOS version table and changes the MS-DOS version presented to a specific program.	Sample: `setver C:\TOOLS\CHECKER.EXE 4.00` Details:Setver
Setx	Adds or modifies values in user-specific/system-wide environment variable settings.	Sample: `setx MYHOME D:\MyHome` Details:Setx
Shift	Shifts parameters, specified to the batch program, and enables to use 10 or more parameters.	Sample: `shift` Details:Shift
Shutdown	Shuts down or restarts the computer.	Sample: `shutdown /s /t 0` Details:Shutdown
Sort	Sorts each line of input data and prints the result.	Sample: `sort < foo.txt > bar.txt` Details:Sort
Start command	Launches the program or executes the default processing for the file.	Sample: `start /wait notepad.exe /p hoge.txt` Details:Start command
Subst	Assigns a specific directory to a virtual drive.	Sample: `subst W: D:\MyDir\Files\work` Details:Subst
Switch	[DOS]Switches the language environment of MS-DOS.	Sample: `switch` Details:Switch
Sys	[DOS][W9x]Copies files for an MS-DOS boot disk to a drive.	Sample: `sys C: A:` Details:Sys
Systeminfo	Displays system information.	Sample: `for /f "tokens=1,* delims=:" %%A in ('systeminfo') do if "%%A"=="BIOS Version" call :UseBIOSVersion %%B` Details:Systeminfo
T
Takeown	Sets the owner of the file/directory to the current user.	Sample: `runas /user:Hana "takeown /F note.txt"` Details:Takeown
Taskkill	Terminates the currently running program.	Sample: `taskkill /F /IM notepad.exe` Details:Taskkill
Tasklist	Displays a list of currently running programs.	Sample: `tasklist /FI "imagename eq excel*"` Details:Tasklist
Time	Displays and changes the system time setting.	Sample: `echo.\| time` Details:Time
Timeout	Waits for a specified duration (waiting for input).	Sample: `timeout 5 /NOBREAK > NUL` Details:Timeout
Title	Changes the title of the prompt window.	Sample: `title Hello, world` Details:Title
Tree	Displays subdirectories (or files) in the tree format.	Sample: `tree /A /F D:\Document > d_doc.log` Details:Tree
Tskill	Forcefully terminates the running process (program).	Sample: `tskill notepad` Details:Tskill
Type	Outputs the file content.	Sample: `type setup.txt \| more` Details:Type
Tzutil	Displays or changes the time zone setting.	Sample: `tzutil /S UTC` Details:Tzutil
V
Ver	Prints the version of MS-DOS or Windows.	Sample: `ver` Details:Ver
Verify	Sets whether to verify writing a file to a disk.	Sample: `verify ON` Details:Verify
Vol	Displays the volume label and volume serial number.	Sample: `vol C:` Details:Vol
W
Waitfor	Sends/receives signals to wait for.	Sample: `waitfor /S 127.0.0.1 /SI HogeSignal` Details:Waitfor
Where	Searches for files that match the pattern and outputs their locations.	Sample: `set "MYDIRS=D:\Scripts;E:\All Data\Commands" where $MYDIRS:post_exec` Details:Where
Whoami	Outputs the username, group names, and permissions based on the current session.	Sample: `whoami /priv /fo csv /nh` Details:Whoami
X
Xcopy	Copies files and directories.	Sample: `xcopy /Y /Q /S /E E:\My\Directory\. F:\Foo\Bar\Directory\` Details:Xcopy

* Command is an internal command, Command is an external command (program).
* Command is treated as an internal command only in Command Prompt and batch files running under Command Prompt environments.

Pipe/redirection symbols
\|	[Pipe] Passes the output of the left command as input to the right command.	Sample: `echo Y\| del "%TEMP%\."` Details:‘\|’
<	[Input redirection] Passes specified file contents as input to the command.	Sample: `sort < document.txt` Details:‘<’
>	[Output redirection] Writes the output of the command to the specified file.	Sample: `foo.exe > out.txt` Details:‘>’
>>	[Append redirection] Appends the output of the command to the specified file.	Sample: `echo First Line> out.txt echo Second Line>> out.txt` Details:‘>>’

Special characters/symbols, device file name etc.
* Please see also ‘Pipe/redirection symbols’.
@	Suppresses echo-back of commands in batch files.	Sample: `@gcc.exe -o main main.c` Details:‘@’
:	Defines a label in batch files.	Sample: `:Error` Details:‘:’
;	Used to write comments in Config.sys file.	Sample: `; any comment` Details:‘;’
%	Used to retrieve values of environment variables and batch program parameters.	Sample: `%SystemRoot%\system32\notepad.exe` Details:‘%’
!	Used for the delayed environment variable expansion.	Sample: `if "%VAR%"=="" ( call hoge.bat if "!VAR!"=="" ( echo Failed. exit /B 1 ) )` Details:‘!’
^	Treats the following character as a regular character. Or treats multiple lines as one-line command line.	Sample: `foo.exe -f file1.txt ^ -f file2.txt ^ -f file3.txt ^ -f file4.txt` Details:‘^’
&	Executes two or more commands in a row.	Sample: `setlocal enabledelayedexpansion set FOOVAR=hello & echo !FOOVAR!` Details:‘&’
\|\|	Used to execute the another command when the command fails.	Sample: `hoge.exe \|\| echo !ERRORLEVEL!` Details:‘\|\|’
&&	Used to execute the another command when the command succeeds.	Sample: `call :piyo && echo !RETVAR!` Details:‘&&’
( )	Treats multiple commands like one command.	Sample: `if "%MYVAR%"=="Hello" ( echo Hoge echo Piyo )` Details:‘( )’
*	Represents ‘any string of length 0 or more’ as a wildcard character.	Sample: `dir *. /w` Details:Wildcards
?	Represents ‘any single character’ as a wildcard character.	Sample: `copy *.in? \Backup` Details:Wildcards
CON	A device file of ‘console’.	Sample: `type CON > save.txt` Details:CON
NUL	A device file of ‘an empty file’	Sample: `pause > NUL` Details:NUL
AUX	A device file used to communicate with the device through the default serial port.	Sample: `type modemcmd.txt > AUX` Details:AUX, COMn
COMn	A device file used to communicate with the device through the serial port corresponding to the specified number.	Sample: `type modemcmd.txt > COM2` Details:AUX, COMn
PRN	A device file used to communicate with the device (printer) through the default parallel port.	Sample: `echo cmdtext > PRN` Details:PRN・LPTn
LPTn	A device file used to communicate with the device through the parallel port corresponding to the specified number.	Sample: `print /D:LPT2 doc.txt` Details:PRN・LPTn

Common environment variables
COMSPEC	Contains the path to the command interpreter.	Sample: `%COMSPEC% /K setenv.bat` Details:COMSPEC
PATH	Contains the path(s) to search for programs when executing.	Sample: `set PATH=%PATH%;C:\MyDir` Details:Path
PATHEXT	Contains a list of extensions to attempt when an extension is omitted.	Sample: `set PATHEXT=%PATHEXT%;.PL;.PY;.RB` Details:PATHEXT
PROMPT	Contains the prompt setting.	Sample: `set OLD_PROMPT=%PROMPT%` Details:Prompt
TEMP	Contains the path to the directory used for temporary data.	Sample: `set TEMP=X:\Work` Details:TEMP, TMP
TMP	Contains the path to the directory used for temporary data.	Sample: `set TMP=X:\Work` Details:TEMP, TMP

Notes

On this site, ‘Windows NT series’ means Windows NT/2000/XP or later environments or ‘cmd.exe’ environments (Not all Windows versions are researched). ‘command.com’ environment may be differ from ‘cmd.exe’ environment.

DOS/Command Prompt Reference

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Command list

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