{"id":114,"date":"2026-10-12T08:12:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scmgalaxy.com\/tutorials\/2009\/01\/29\/dos-tutorial-the-basics\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T08:12:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:12:05","slug":"dos-tutorial-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/dos-tutorial-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"MS-DOS Basics: Practical Commands for Files, Directories, and Legacy Disk Tasks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This guide modernizes a classic MS-DOS tutorial for engineers who need reliable command-line fundamentals in legacy systems, recovery environments, or DOS-style Windows command shells. You will learn core commands for navigation, file handling, directory management, cleanup, and floppy-era media operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally published on 2009-01-29; fully revised and updated.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Original compilation credit: Lisa Lemieux, UC Call Center. Source post: DOS TUTORIAL : THE BASICS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DOS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What this guide covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MS-DOS is a command-line operating environment where you interact with files and disks through text commands. This tutorial focuses on practical day-to-day operations: listing files, filtering output, creating and copying files, moving across directories, deleting safely, and handling floppy disk commands used in older systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start: environment and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Use a non-production machine or a disposable directory. Many commands below can permanently remove data. DOS commands are generally case-insensitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Confirm which drive and directory you are in before running destructive commands.<\/li>
  • Use DIR<\/strong> before and after copy\/delete operations to verify results.<\/li>
  • Avoid wildcard deletes until you have tested your file pattern.<\/li>
  • If command-history keys do not work, your shell setup may differ.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
    C:\nCD \\\nPROMPT $P$G\nDATE\nTIME\nCLS<\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> PHP<\/span> (<\/span>php<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    MS-DOS workflow at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \nflowchart TD\n    A[Start in C drive] --> B[Check date and time]\n    B --> C[List files with DIR]\n    C --> D{Need specific files}\n    D -- Yes --> E[Filter with wildcard pattern]\n    D -- No --> F[Open or copy file]\n    E --> F\n    F --> G[Organize into directory]\n    G --> H[Verify results with DIR]\n    H --> I[Optional cleanup with DEL or RD]\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    List and find files with DIR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    DIR<\/strong> is your primary discovery command. It shows file names, extensions, sizes, and timestamps, and it supports filtering with wildcards.<\/p>\n\n\n
    DIR\nDIR \/P\nDIR \/W\nDIR FORMAT.COM\nDIR C*\nDIR *.BAT\nDIR \\*.SYS\nDIR > PRN<\/code><\/span><\/pre>\n\n\n
    DIR form<\/th>Best for<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    DIR<\/td>Full listing in current directory<\/td>Shows metadata for each file<\/td><\/tr>
    DIR \/P<\/td>Paged output<\/td>Useful for long listings<\/td><\/tr>
    DIR \/W<\/td>Compact multi-column view<\/td>Faster visual scan, less detail<\/td><\/tr>
    DIR filename.ext<\/td>Find one exact file<\/td>Returns file or not found<\/td><\/tr>
    DIR prefix*<\/td>Find files by name prefix<\/td>Wildcard pattern match<\/td><\/tr>
    DIR *.ext<\/td>Find files by extension<\/td>Example: batch or system files<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Create, view, copy, and rename files<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    These are core file lifecycle commands in classic DOS. In older DOS conventions, filenames often follow the 8.3 format (up to 8-character name plus 3-character extension).<\/p>\n\n\n
    COPY<\/span> CON<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.LTR<\/span>\nBob<\/span>\nSales<\/span> are<\/span> up<\/span> 15%.\nGood<\/span> Job<\/span>!\nCraig<\/span>\nCtrl<\/span>+Z<\/span>\n\nTYPE<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.LTR<\/span>\nCOPY<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.LTR<\/span> QUICK2<\/span>.LTR<\/span>\nCOPY<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.LTR<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.BAC<\/span>\nREN<\/span> QUICK2<\/span>.LTR<\/span> SALES<\/span>.LTR<\/span>\nREN<\/span> *.LTR<\/span> *.BOB<\/span><\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> CSS<\/span> (<\/span>css<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    Work with directories and paths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Use MD<\/strong> to create directories and CD<\/strong> to move through them. Use absolute paths when you want predictable behavior from any location.<\/p>\n\n\n
    MD \\INFO\nCD \\INFO\nCD\nPROMPT $P$G\nDIR\nCD ..\nCOPY SALES.BOB \\INFO\nCOPY QUICK.* \\INFO\nDIR \\INFO\nDIR \\<\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> PHP<\/span> (<\/span>php<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    Delete files and remove directories safely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Deletion is immediate in classic DOS.<\/strong> Validate your location and wildcard pattern first. A directory must be empty before RD<\/strong> can remove it.<\/p>\n\n\n
    DEL<\/span> SALES<\/span>.BOB<\/span>\nDEL<\/span> QUICK<\/span>.*\nCD<\/span> \\INFO<\/span>\nDEL<\/span> *.*\nCD<\/span> \\\nRD<\/span> \\INFO<\/span><\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> CSS<\/span> (<\/span>css<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    Critical safety rule:<\/strong> do not run wildcard deletion in the wrong location. Always confirm with DIR<\/strong> first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Floppy disk commands (legacy systems)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    These commands apply to older systems that expose floppy drives as A:<\/strong> and B:<\/strong>. Use with caution: formatting and disk copy operations affect entire media.<\/p>\n\n\n
    FORMAT<\/span> A<\/span>:\nA<\/span>:\nDIR<\/span>\nC<\/span>:\nDISKCOPY<\/span> A<\/span>: A<\/span>:\nDISKCOPY<\/span> A<\/span>: B<\/span>:\nCOPY<\/span> REPORT<\/span>.TXT<\/span> A<\/span>:\\<\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> CSS<\/span> (<\/span>css<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    Command comparison quick reference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Task<\/th>Primary command<\/th>Example<\/th>Risk level<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    List files<\/td>DIR<\/td>DIR \/W<\/td>Low<\/td><\/tr>
    Create text file<\/td>COPY CON<\/td>COPY CON NOTE.TXT<\/td>Low<\/td><\/tr>
    Copy file<\/td>COPY<\/td>COPY A.TXT B.TXT<\/td>Low<\/td><\/tr>
    Rename file(s)<\/td>REN<\/td>REN *.TXT *.BAK<\/td>Medium<\/td><\/tr>
    Delete file(s)<\/td>DEL<\/td>DEL *.TMP<\/td>High<\/td><\/tr>
    Remove directory<\/td>RD<\/td>RD \\INFO<\/td>High<\/td><\/tr>
    Format disk<\/td>FORMAT<\/td>FORMAT A:<\/td>Very high<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Practice session in a safe sandbox<\/h2>\n\n\n
    C<\/span>:\nMD<\/span> \\DOSLAB<\/span>\nCD<\/span> \\DOSLAB<\/span>\nCOPY<\/span> CON<\/span> NOTE<\/span>.TXT<\/span>\nThis<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> test<\/span> file<\/span>.\nCtrl<\/span>+Z<\/span>\nDIR<\/span>\nMD<\/span> INFO<\/span>\nCOPY<\/span> NOTE<\/span>.TXT<\/span> INFO<\/span>\nDIR<\/span> INFO<\/span>\nDEL<\/span> NOTE<\/span>.TXT<\/span>\nDEL<\/span> INFO<\/span>\\NOTE<\/span>.TXT<\/span>\nRD<\/span> INFO<\/span>\nCD<\/span> \\\nRD<\/span> DOSLAB<\/span><\/code><\/span>Code language:<\/span> CSS<\/span> (<\/span>css<\/span>)<\/span><\/small><\/pre>\n\n\n
    Common pitfalls and best practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    • Always confirm drive and path before DEL<\/strong>, RD<\/strong>, or FORMAT<\/strong>.<\/li>
    • Use wildcards carefully; test with DIR pattern<\/strong> first.<\/li>
    • Treat printer redirection (PRN<\/strong>) and floppy commands as hardware-dependent legacy features.<\/li>
    • If command recall keys differ from expectations, verify shell\/version behavior.<\/li>
    • Keep backups before bulk rename or delete operations.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
      This revised guide turns a classic DOS tutorial into a structured, practical reference for command-line basics. Learn essential MS-DOS commands for navigation, file operations, directory management, cleanup, and legacy floppy workflows.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[3014,3019,3009,3011,3013,3012,3017,3016,3010,3015,3018,213],"class_list":["post-114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-basic-dos-guide","tag-disk-operating-system","tag-dos","tag-dos-guide","tag-dos-learning-references","tag-dos-learning-resources","tag-dos-lessions","tag-dos-practice","tag-dos-tutorials","tag-learn-dos","tag-ms-dos","tag-tutorial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78962,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114\/revisions\/78962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopsschool.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}