How to Use DOS in Windows XP

Microsoft created the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) in the early 1980s to control IBM-compatible personal computers. This pairing is, in large part, what made Microsoft such a major portion of the computer software industry. Over the years, computers went away from command-line operating systems, like MS-DOS, to graphic user interface (GUI) operating systems, like Windows. MS-DOS, though, remained at the core of the operating system, and can still be accessed when necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Computer running Windows XP

Instructions

Accessing MS-DOS

1. Open the "Start" menu from the taskbar.

2. Click "All Programs," then click the "Accessories" folder.

3. Click "Command Prompt" to open the "Command Prompt" window. This is where MS-DOS commands can be entered and executed.

4. To access a list of commands, type "help" at the prompt and press "Enter." To learn how to use a specific command, type "help <command>" and press enter.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unable to find the "Command Prompt" icon, search for "cmd.exe." That is the program that runs the the command prompt. It is most commonly found in the "C:\WINDOWS\system32\" directory.