DOS (Disk Operating System) uses a command-line interface (CLI) to perform file, directory, and system management tasks. Below are essential DOS commands with examples.
Opening Command Prompt (CMD)
Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
Or, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu.
File & Directory Commands
Command
Description
Example
dir
Lists files & folders
dir C:\Users
cd
Changes directory
cd Documents
cd..
Moves up one directory
cd..
md or mkdir
Creates a new folder
mkdir NewFolder
rd or rmdir
Deletes a folder
rmdir OldFolder
del
Deletes a file
del file.txt
copy
Copies a file
copy file1.txt D:\Backup
move
Moves or renames a file
move file1.txt D:\Documents
ren
Renames a file
ren oldname.txt newname.txt
System & Disk Commands
Command
Description
Example
cls
Clears the screen
cls
time
Displays or changes system time
time
date
Displays or changes system date
date
ver
Shows DOS version
ver
vol
Displays disk volume name
vol C:
chkdsk
Checks disk for errors
chkdsk C:
format
Formats a disk drive
format D:
exit
Closes command prompt
exit
Viewing & Editing Files
Command
Description
Example
type
Displays file contents
type file.txt
edit
Opens a file editor (old DOS)
edit file.txt
notepad
Opens file in Notepad
notepad file.txt
Qus. 1 : While running DOS on a PC, the command that is used to duplicate the entire diskette?
COPY
DISKCOPY
CHKDSK
TYPE
Qus. 2 : MS-DOS is an operating system basically developed for :
8-bit microcomputers
16-bit microcomputers
32-bit microcomputers
64-bit microcomputers
Qus. 3 : Which command will be used to close a terminal window?
end
close
exit
none
Qus. 4 : Which command is used to create a directory in DOS
CREATE
CD
DIR
MD or MKDIR
Qus. 5 : <p>Match the following DOS commands with their correct functions.</p><p><br></p><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><b>Commands</b></td><td><b>Functions</b></td></tr><tr><td>1. DIR</td><td>A. Deletes a file</td></tr><tr><td>2. DEL</td><td>B. Copies files from one location to another</td></tr><tr><td>3. MD</td><td>C. Displays a list of files and directories</td></tr><tr><td>4. COPY</td><td>D. Creates a new directory</td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td>E. Removes a directory</td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td>F. Formats a disk</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p>