Command
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Usage
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Examples
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ATTRIB
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Change file attributes. '+' adds an attribute, '-' removes it. Attributes are: A=archive;
R=read only; S=system; H=hidden.
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ATTRIB -R -A -S -H <VIRUS.EXE>
All these attributes will be removed from virus.exe.
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C:
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Go to the C: drive. Similarly A: and D: etc.
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C:
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CD
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Change directory. When you change directory, the prompt changes, showing the path
of the directory you are currently in.
Note:- directory is the term used by DOS for what Windows calls a folder.
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CD\
takes you to the top of the directory tree (typically to C:) .
CD.. moves you one level up the directory tree (i.e. up towards the
root directory).
CD <DIRECTORYNAME> takes you to that directory. You can use one
or more subdirectory names, separated by \ e.g.
CD WINNT\Media takes you to the directory C:\WINNT\Media
To change to another path, type the full path with slashes. e.g.
CD \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
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CLS
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Clear the screen.
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CLS
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DEL
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Delete one or more files in the current directory. Can be used with the '*' and
the '?' wildcards.
DEL *.* will delete ALL files in the current directory, USE WITH CAUTION.
(Note: DEL cannot be used to delete directories. Use RD to remove a directory.)
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DEL <VIRUS.EXE> deletes virus.exe
DEL *.JPG will delete all files with the extension JPG.
DEL MY*.* will delete all files beginning with MY and with any extension.
DEL MY??.* will delete files that are 4 characters long and begin with
MY and with any extension.
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DIR
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Displays the contents of a directory (folder).
Note, directory is the term used by DOS for what Windows calls a folder.
These switches can be combined, so DIR /W /P will return multiple rows
listing a page at a time.
You can use the '*' and the '?' wildcards to search for a particular file. The ?
character represents ONE character, and the * character represents multiple characters.
DIR *.* lists all the files in a directory.
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DIR displays all files and folders in the current directory. Folders
are indicated in the list by <DIR>.
Files are usually listed by name.
DIR /P displays the contents a page at a time, i.e. as many as will
fit in your command line window. Press any key to display the next page.
DIR /W displays the files/folders in multiple rows. This view gives
less information per file.
DIR *.JPG displays all files with the extension JPG in the current
directory and all subdirectories.
DIR MY??.* displays all files beginning with MY, exactly 4 characters
long, and with any extension.
DIR /S lists the contents of all subdirectories.
DIR /AH displays all hidden files.
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EDIT
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Runs DOS EDIT (a simple text editor). Useful for editing batch files and viewing
logs. This command requires QBASIC.EXE to be present.
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EDIT <VIRUSLOG.TXT> opens the file viruslog.txt and allows you
to edit it.
EDIT <NEWFILE.TXT> creates a new file called newfile.txt and
opens it up for you to edit.
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HELP
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Displays DOS Help. For help on an individual command, type HELP then the command
for which you want more information.
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HELP DIR displays information on the DIR command.
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MD
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Make directory. Creates a new directory below the current one. (The command can
also be written as MKDIR )
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MD <NEWDIR> creates a new directory called Newdir.
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PRINT
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Prints the specified file (if the printer is supported in DOS - many are not).
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PRINT <LOGFILE.TXT>
Prints LOGFILE.TXT
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RD
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Remove directory. Removes a subdirectory of the current directory. The directory
you want to remove must be empty of all files. (The command can also be written
as RMDIR)
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RD <DIRECTORYNAME>
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RENAME
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Rename a file. You must use the full file name including the suffix.
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RENAME <OLDNAME.EXE> <NEWNAME.EXE>
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TYPE
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Displays the contents of a file on the screen. If you use this command on a file
which is not a text file, the display will be unintelligible. Use with "|MORE" to
display the text on a page by page basis, and prevent it scrolling off the screen.
"|" is a pipe character.
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TYPE C:\README.TXT|MORE
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>
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When you run a DOS command, output is usually sent to the screen. Use > to redirect
output from the screen to a file. It runs the command preceding the >, creates
a file in the current directory with the name you specify, and sends the information/output
returned by the command, to that file.
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COMMAND > FILENAME.TXT
e.g. SWEEP > REPORT.TXT The details of any infected files reported by SWEEP are
sent to a file called REPORT.TXT.
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