DOS Commands List (Easy Reference)

DOS Commands List (Easy Reference), This page lists common DOS commands, explained in plain English, and links to full step-by-step guides.

If you are new, start with the Beginner Commands first.
If you are troubleshooting, use this page to jump straight to what you need.

Beginner-Friendly DOS Commands

These are the best commands to learn first:

• DIR – List files and folders
• CD – Change directories
• COPY – Copy files
• MOVE – Move files
• DEL – Delete files safely
• MD / MKDIR – Create folders
• RD / RMDIR – Remove folders
• TREE – View folder structure
• TYPE – View text files
• ATTRIB – File attributes
• CLS – Clear the screen
• HELP – List commands
• EXIT – Close Command Prompt

Each command has its own dedicated guide with examples and safety notes.

DOS Commands A–Z

Use this alphabetical list to quickly find a command.

A

• ATTRIB – View and change file attributes

C

• CD – Change directories
• CLS – Clear the screen
• COPY – Copy files

D

• DEL – Delete files
• DIR – List files and folders

E

• EXIT – Close Command Prompt

H

• HELP – Display command help

M

• MD / MKDIR – Create directories
• MOVE – Move files

R

• RD / RMDIR – Remove directories

T

• TREE – Display folder structure
• TYPE – View text file contents

(More commands will be added as this section grows.)

How to Use This Page

If you are:

• Learning DOS → Start with Beginner Commands
• Fixing a problem → Use the A–Z list
• Following a guide → Jump directly to the command

Each command page links:

• Back to this index
• To related commands
• To beginner explanations

This keeps navigation simple and fast.

DOS Commands vs Command Prompt vs PowerShell

This page focuses on DOS commands as used in Command Prompt (CMD).

Many of these commands:

• Still work in modern Windows
• Appear in recovery environments
• Are referenced in troubleshooting guides

Once comfortable, users can progress to:

• Advanced CMD usage
• PowerShell equivalents
• Windows repair commands

Safety Notes for Beginners

Before running any command:

1. Use dir to confirm files and folders
2. Double-check file names
3. Avoid wildcards until confident
4. Do not delete system files

Every command guide includes safety guidance.

Where to Go Next

Recommended next sections:

• Common DOS Problems & Fixes
• Using DOS for Windows Repair
• DOS Commands for Beginners
• DOS vs Command Prompt vs PowerShell

These pages build deeper understanding and real-world confidence.

Related Posts

• What Is DOS?
• What Are DOS Commands?
• How Do You Open Command Prompt in Windows?
• DOS Commands Not Working? Start Here
• Command Prompt vs PowerShell

Combining Commands for Real-World Tasks

Once you’re comfortable with individual commands, combining them together solves practical problems faster. Here are common workflows you’ll encounter:

Finding and Listing Files by Size

If you need to identify large files taking up space, use:

dir /s /ah > file_list.txt

This lists all files and folders recursively, then saves the output to a text file you can review in Notepad. The /s includes subdirectories, and /ah shows hidden files too. Opening the saved file makes it easier to spot what’s consuming storage.

Backing Up a Folder with Today’s Date

Create a timestamped backup folder like this:

md backup_%date:~-4,4%%date:~-10,2%%date:~-7,2%

Then copy your files into it:

copy C:Documents* backup_20260502 /Y

The /Y automatically confirms overwriting. This keeps your backups organised by date without manual naming.

Searching for Files Matching a Pattern

To find all text files modified recently, use:

dir *.txt /s /od

The /od sorts by date, showing newest files first. This helps when you can’t remember a filename but remember roughly when you created it. Change *.txt to any file type you’re looking for.

Comparing Two Directories

Check if folders contain the same files using:

dir folder1 > list1.txt

dir folder2 > list2.txt

Then visually compare the two text files. This is useful for verifying backups are complete or checking if two sync locations match.

Removing Folders with All Contents

Rather than deleting files one by one, use:

rmdir /s /q folder_name

The /s removes everything inside, and /q skips confirmation. Always navigate to the parent directory first and double-check the folder name before running this command.

These combinations handle 80% of everyday DOS tasks. Each command works independently, but chaining them together saves time and reduces mistakes.