DOS and Windows: Tips

DOS

• List of files: dir *.* /s > filelist.txt
• Getting help with DOS commands: dir /? | more
• Copy the contents of a CMD window: Right-click anywhere in the CMD window, select Select All, press Enter (yes, Enter!), then paste the copied content into an email, text editor, etc.

Windows

• Force Windows Explorer to open at a particular drive: Using some little-known commands, you can force Windows Explorer to open at a particular drive, folder, or file by default.

  For Windows XP: Right-click on an Explorer shortcut, then select Properties. In the Target field, type: %windir%\explorer.exe  /e,  C:\

  This command opens Windows Explorer at the C: drive; change C:\ to the drive or folder where you want it to open.

• Copy a Windows error message: You can copy any text in an error message by pressing Ctrl+C then pasting the copied error message into an email, text editor, etc.