Command-line reference
New ways to do familiar tasks
The Windows Server 2003 family retains and enhances almost
all MS-DOS functionality. The following tables explain:
- Changes to the functionality of MS-DOS commands.
- MS-DOS commands that are no longer available in the Windows Server 2003 family
- MS-DOS commands that are no longer available on Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Editionor Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition.
Changes toMS-DOScommands
The following table lists changes to the functionality of
MS-DOS commands.
| Command | Changed features |
| Chcp | Changes code pages for all Command Prompt windows. |
| Diskcomp | Command-line options /1 and /8 are not supported. |
| diskperf | No longer needed to act upon a server computer. You can still use diskperf for remote administration. |
| Diskcopy | Command-line option /1 is not supported. |
| Doskey | Available for all character-based programs that accept buffered input. Doskey has been improved by a series of enhancements. |
| Format | Supports 1.44 MB floppy drive only. 20.8 MB floptical (magneto-optical) drive is no longer supported. Command-line options /b, /s, /u, /1, /4, and /8 are no longer supported. |
| Label | The caret (^) and ampersand (&) symbols can be used in a volume label. |
| Mode | The mode lptN[:][cols=c][lines=N] and mode lptN[:][c][,[N]] syntaxes are no longer supported. |
| Command-line options /b, /c, /m, /p, /q, /s, /t, and /u are not supported. | |
| Prompt | New character combinations enable you to add ampersands ($a), parentheses ($c and $f), and spaces ($s) to your prompt. |
| Recover | Recovers files only. |
| Rmdir | New /s command-line option deletes directories containing files and subdirectories. |
| Sort | Does not require TEMP environment variable. File size is unlimited. |
| Xcopy | New /g command-line option creates decrypted destination files. |
MS-DOScommands not supported in the Windows Server 2003 family
The following MS-DOS commands are not supported in the
Windows Server 2003 family.
| Command | New procedure or reason for obsolescence |
| assign | Not supported. |
| backup | Not supported. |
| choice | Not supported. |
| ctty | Not supported. |
| dblspace | Not supported. |
| deltree | The rmdir /s command deletes directories containing files and subdirectories. For more information about the rmdir command, see Rmdir . |
| dosshell | Function is now inherent. |
| drvspace | Not supported. |
| emm386 | Function is now inherent. |
| fasthelp | Not supported. Use the help command at the command prompt. For more information about the help command, see Help . For a complete list of command-line tools, see Command-line reference A-Z . |
| fdisk | Not supported. Use the diskpart command, which enables you to manage disks, partitions, or volumes. For more information about the diskpart command, see DiskPart . |
| include | Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported. |
| interlnk | Not supported. |
| intersrv | Not supported. |
| join | Increased partition size and an improved file system eliminate the need to join drives. |
| memmaker | MS-DOS subsystem memory usage is automatically optimized. |
| menucolor | Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported. |
| menudefault | Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported. |
| menuitem | Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported. |
| mirror | Not supported. |
| msav | Not supported. |
| msbackup | Use the ntbackup command for computers with tape drives, or the xcopy command for computers without tape drives. For more information about the ntbackup command, see Ntbackup . For more information about the xcopy command, see Xcopy . |
| mscdex | It is unnecessary to configure the MS-DOS subsystem to use CD-ROM drives. The Windows Server 2003 family provides access to CD-ROM drives for the MS-DOS subsystem. |
| msd | Use the System Information snap-in. To start System Information, click Start, click Run, and then type msinfo32. |
| numlock | Not supported. |
| power | Not supported. |
| restore | Not supported. |
| scandisk | Not supported. Use the chkdsk command, which enables you to create and display a status report for a disk based on the file system. Chkdsk also lists and corrects errors on the disk. For more information about the chkdsk command, see chkdsk . |
| smartdrv | Caching for the MS-DOS subsystem is automatic. |
| submenu | Multiple configurations of the MS-DOS subsystem are not supported. |
| sys | Windows Server 2003 family operating systems will not fit on a standard 1.2 MB or 1.44 MB floppy disk. |
| undelete | Not supported. |
| unformat | Not supported. |
| vsafe | Not supported. |
MS-DOScommands no longer available on Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition or Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
The following 16-bit MS-DOS subsystem commands are not
available on Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Editionor
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition.
| Command | Function |
| append | Enables programs to open data files in specified folders as if these files were in the current folder. |
| debug | Starts Debug.exe, a program that you can use to test and debug MS-DOS executable files. |
| edit | Starts MS-DOS Editor, which creates and changes ASCII text files. |
| edlin | Starts Edlin.exe, a line-oriented text editor with which you can create and change ASCII files. |
| exe2bin | Converts .exe (executable files) to binary format. |
| expand | Expands one or more compressed files. |
| fastopen | Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family of products do not use this command. It is included only to preserve compatibility with existing MS-DOS files, but it has no effect at the command line because the functionality is automatic. |
| forcedos | Starts the specified program in the MS-DOS subsystem. This command is necessary only for those MS-DOS programs that are not recognized as MS-DOS programs by the Windows Server 2003 family. |
| graphics | Loads a program into memory that allows you to print on a printer the displayed contents of the screen when you are using a color or graphics adapter. |
| loadfix | Ensures that a program is loaded above the first 64KB of conventional memory, and then runs the program. |
| loadhigh (lh) | Loads a program into the upper memory area (UMA). Loading a program into the UMA leaves more room in conventional memory for other programs. |
| mem | Displays information about allocated memory areas, free memory areas, and programs that are currently loaded into memory in the MS-DOS subsystem. |
| nlsfunc | Loads information specific to country/region. Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family of products do not use this command. It is included only to preserve compatibility with existing MS-DOS files, but it has no effect at the command line because the functionality is automatic. |
| setver | Sets the MS-DOS version number that the MS-DOS subsystem reports to a program. |
| share | Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family of products do not use this command. It is included only to preserve compatibility with existing MS-DOS files, but it has no effect at the command line because the functionality is automatic. |