New ways to do familiar command-line tasks

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

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.
Print	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.