Since the rise of Windows, the Microsoft Disk Operating System (DOS) or MS-DOS no longer exists as a standalone platform for desktop computers. However, the ability to use disk operating system commands is still embedded in most versions of Windows. The last supported standalone versions of MS-DOS are MS-DOS 6.0 and 6.22. 32 bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows XP both utilize the NTVDM (NT Virtual DOS Machine) to run MS-DOS programs and batch files. Windows versions built under the x64 architecture no longer have the NTVDM and can no longer natively run MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows applications.

The following disk operating system (DOS) education and training approaches will help you learn how you can use DOS in your current work environment:

1. Build a solid knowledge foundation by downloading a DOS operating system computer course.

2. Learn how to write and manipulate batch files using disk operating system commands (DOS).

3. Purchase ebooks covering disk operating systems for your office.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download or purchase training for your disk operating system software

Even though MS-DOS is no longer widely used as a standalone operating system, it can still be found in certain workplaces around the country. It was fast, didn't require a lot of memory, and was perfectly sufficient to accomplish certain tasks. If you're a business owner that has no desire to upgrade your perfectly functional DOS version to the latest buggy, resource-intensive version of Windows, make sure to get your employees the training they need.

I recommend: Cheltenham Courseware offers a foundation level PC and DOS training course for download that covers a broad array of subject matter, including disk and memory fundamentals, configuring your PC and batch files. Skillbox has a selection of online classes teaching MS-DOS 5.0 and 6.

Use the Windows console or another DOS editor to create useful batch files

Although it is an older operating system, DOS still allows you great flexibility in creating batch files and scripts to automate simple system tasks. Using the MS-DOS console in Windows, you can create many batch files that will make your life easier.

I recommend: You need no prior knowledge to learn how to write batch files with the free, interactive course at Allen & Company. Computer Hope breaks down batch file ABCs, and offers separate advice for MS-DOS users versus Windows users.

Order and download DOS operating system ebooks for your employees

Ebooks are cheaper than regular books, and are a great way to brush up on disk operating system (DOS) knowledge. Ebooks are available in a variety of formats. Some require special readers, but a large number of them can be purchased in PDF format, which only require a free Adobe Reader to access.

I recommend: Purchase the DOS the Easy Way eBook from EasyDOS. This book includes great information about DOS, including the version of DOS included in Windows XP and Vista. Diesel eBooks offers a guide to using MS-DOS 6.22.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even though the DOS operating system is rarely found as the standalone OS on any computer, it is still useful to learn DOS commands and gain a basic knowledge of how batch files work. This will allow you to be more comfortable using the Windows console, and even teach you how to create batch files to automate simple tasks in Windows.

A disk operating system (DOS) is a powerful, low-level operating system that controls and supervises how programs run on your computer. DOS provides instructions to the computer to interpret hardware input to your keyboard and mouse. It provides print control and works with other connected hardware.

DOS is a single-user, single-task computer operating system with a command line interface. It's one of the best operating systems in spite of its simplicity and small size. The most popular and widely used version of the DOS family operating systems is MS-DOS, or Microsoft Disk Operating System.

Many businesses use MS-DOS, which is included free with the purchase of any version of Microsoft Windows. DOS is a popular operating choice; it provides many features and add-ons and will be around for a long time.

1. DOS supports legacy programs.

2. Many new or improved utilities and applications require DOS.

3. DOS is small and fits on a single floppy disk with space left over.

4. DOS commands are necessary when using the non-graphical command shell to create and edit batches or scripts to automate routine tasks

Action Steps
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Download disk operating system software to meet your needs

To get the most out of DOS, use some of the add-on features of disk operating system, like the DOS Shell. The DOS shell is a file manager that lets you access user accounts quickly, assign rights, give permission, view user profiles, unzip files and check security. It also lets you execute simple DOS commands like copy, move or rename. Write shell scripts and automate multiple or tedious commands.

I recommend: All versions of Microsoft Windows come with MS-DOS. If you currently use Microsoft products, the MS-DOS shell would be a great choice. Retrosoftware carries the latest IBM DOS version for all IBM and IBM compatibles. Download and install a copy of FreeDOS or OpenDOS, both of which are MS-DOS-compatible operating systems. If you are a developer, you can download the source code as well.

Choose a DOS editor to fit your needs

Choose a DOS text editor that's easy to use and fits your business needs. Using a text editor for DOS is similar to using Notepad, except you'll have additional features; like the capability to work with multiple text files, change backgrounds and text colors, word wrap, spell check, and copy and paste to other Windows applications.

I recommend: Download a copy of the WinPedit DOS editor from Free Download Manager. It ranks high in performance; it's easy to use and works great with any Windows platform. BrotherSoft offers a Witzend text editor. Witzend is a small DOS editor with no special requirements, making it a good choice for older systems or users who work only occasionally with DOS.

See how easy it is to use disk operating system commands

The operating system DOS is made up of a number of easy commands that allow you to quickly get things done with just a few keystrokes. Disk operating system commands are textual and fast. DOS provides an easy-to-use help feature that eliminates the need to remember DOS commands. You can find everything you need by using this feature, but it's faster if you learn some common commands as you get started.

I recommend: Tech Guide and Animated Software are great sites to visit if you're just getting started. With limited DOS knowledge and the use of the DOS help command, you can get started right away.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Execute DOS commands in a snap by using hotkeys and useful keyboard shortcuts.

DOS is short for Disk Operating System. It is the name for a number of closely related operating systems that came standard with nearly all IBM PC compatible computers from 1985 to 1991. Even as late as 2000, Microsoft operating systems such as 95, 98 and ME were partially DOS-based. The allure of DOS is that it has a command-line interface that is incredibly fast and easy to work with. There is some specific terminology that will help you make the most of DOS.

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MS-DOS, PC DOS, DR-DOS

While DOS is usually shorthand for MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System), there are numerous other flavors. Some of these are MS-DOS, PC DOS, DR-DOS, FreeDOS, PTS-DOS, ROM-DOS and JM-OS. All DOS-type operating systems run on x86 Intel-compatible CPUs, mainly IBM PC and compatibles.

I recommend: Learn about the different types of DOS at PowerLoad.

Autoexec.bat and config.sys

MS-DOS and early versions of Windows such as 3.x use the autoexec.bat and config.sys files to centralize the loading of files that various devices and the operating system need to run properly. These files are most commonly edited by using the EDIT command in MS-DOS.

I recommend: Computer Hope provides in-depth resources for autoexec.bat and config.sys file editing and configuration.

Batch files

Batch files are text files, ending in the extension *.bat, that contain a series of commands to be run by the operating system. In DOS, a shell program (usually COMMAND.COM or cmd.exe) reads the file and executes its commands line-by-line. Batch files are an excellent way to automate tedious tasks.

I recommend: Allen & Company provides an interactive course in creating batch files, complete with extensive references.

Hard disk partitions

DOS had an upper limit as far as partition size, mostly due to the fact that it didn't support any file system newer than FAT16. FAT16 wouldn't allow hard disk partitions larger than 2.1 gigabytes.

I recommend: Jack Dobiash has written an excellent treatise on FAT16 hard disk partitions.

8.3 filenames

Because it used the FAT16 file system, DOS required use of what is known as 8.3 filenames. This means that filenames in DOS are restricted to eight characters and filename extensions are restricted to three.

I recommend: Microsoft explains the difference between 8.3 and long filenames.

Command line interface

All DOS systems use a command line interface. This means programs are started by entering their filename at the command prompt. Running programs from the command line requires fewer keystrokes and is generally much faster than operating through a graphical user interface or GUI.

I recommend: Stephen Gilbert has written an excellent guide to using the DOS command line interface. AnimatedSoftware.com has a glossary of vital DOS commands.