The programs listed below were designed to cater to the DOS user, under Windows or OS/2. They provide command line interfaces that allow launching of DOS as well as Windows or OS/2 apps.

Take Command/16 — Command line shell for Win3.1x.
Take Command for OS/2 — Command line shell for OS/2.

* * * * *

[Added 2003-05-18, updated 2006-08-21]

The Take Command shells are large, complex programs from JP Software, in a league with that company's 4DOS and 4OS2 command processors. Take Command/16 runs under Win3.x, including in a Win3.x session under OS/2, and offers a powerful command line interface. It can also be used as the Win3.x shell, replacing Program Manager with a DOS-like interface that also launches Windows programs. Take Command for OS/2 can run in an OS/2 window or replace the Presentation Manager graphical shell, and launches OS/2 and DOS programs. Both versions of Take Command were originally released as paid shareware, but are now freeware.

?	DRAWVLINE	LOADBTM	SETDOS
ACTIVATE	ECHO	LOG	SETLOCAL
ALIAS	ECHOERR	MD / MKDIR	SHIFT
ATTRIB	ECHOS	MEMORY	START
BEEP	ECHOSERR	MOVE	SWITCH
BREAK	ENDLOCAL	MSGBOX	TEE
CALL	ESET	ON	TEXT
CANCEL	EXCEPT	OPTION	TIME
CD/CHDIR	EXIT	PATH	TIMER
CDD	FFIND	PAUSE	TITLE
CLS	FOR	POPD	TOUCH
COLOR	FREE	PROMPT	TREE
COPY	GLOBAL	PUSHD	TRUENAME
DATE	GOSUB	QUERYBOX	TYPE
DDEEXEC	GOTO	QUIT	UNALIAS
DEL / ERASE	HELP	RD / RMDIR	UNSET
DELAY	HISTORY	REBOOT	VER
DESCRIBE	IF	REM	VERIFY
DIR	IFF	REN / RENAME	VOL
DIRHISTORY	INKEY	RETURN	VSCRPUT
DIRS	INPUT	SCREEN	WINDOW
DO	KEYBD	SCRPUT	Y
DRAWBOX	KEYSTACK	SELECT
DRAWHLINE	LIST	SET

...keeps track of each command you execute. You can display past commands, execute them again, or make changes before you execute them. The past commands can appear on the command line...or in a pop-up window...

...keeps track of each directory...visited. There are many ways to return to previous directories; perhaps the easiest is to press F6 to view past directories in a pop-up window. Select the directory you want, press Enter, and you will immediately change to that directory, even if it is on a different drive.

The batch language includes simple commands to display menus, dialogs, lines, and colored text to dress up your batch file displays; a full range of user input commands; over 70 built-in variables that let your batch files test system configuration, device status, and free memory and disk space; and almost 100 built-in functions that let your batch files read from files, find the date, perform calculations, and manipulate strings.

...and much more, laid out in a readable 60+ page manual and big, fat help file.

Publisher: JP Software (1999-2003).

SmilerShell — Command line GUI for Win3.1.
SmilerShell/95 — Command line GUI for Win95/NT.

* * * *

[added 1997, updated 2005-12-09]

The award winning SmilerShell, in versions for Win3.1 and for Win95/NT, is a GUI command line that uses little screen space. Win or DOS apps can be launched from its command line. DOS programs can be launched full screen or within DOS boxes. SmilerShell implements a searchable command history buffer, enhanced directory changing, TAB command completion (but not filename completion), command alias features, and 4DOS command compatibility. Commands can be saved between sessions, and frequently used commands can be added to the *.ini file. Several features have been tuned to the Windows environment (e.g., use of file associations, Win95/NT Explorer). Fully functional, formerly paid shareware, now free. No longer available from the original publisher, but other download sites have it.

CD	DIR	PATH	TIME
CHDIR	ERASE	REN	TYPE
COPY	FOR	RENAME	VOL
DATE	MD	RD
DEL	MKDIR	RMDIR

CHCP

SET

VER

CLS	EXIT	VERIFY
CTTY	PROMPT	Batch file commands

?	FFIND	MEMORY	SWAPPING
ALIAS	FREE	MOVE	TEE
BEEP	GLOBAL	POPD	TIMER
CDD	HISTORY	PUSHD	TRUENAME
DESCRIBE	LIST	REBOOT	UNALIAS
DIRS	LOADBTM	SELECT	Y
ESET	LOG	SETDOS

Author: Barry Smiler / Bardon Data Systems (1995-96).

Imposter — DOS emulator for Win3.1x.

* * *

[updated 2005-08-22]

Imposter is an older Win3.1 app that mimics a DOS window. The customizable interface loads faster than a true DOS box, uses fewer resources, and will be most useful to those still running Win3.x on a 286 class machine. Unfortunately, there is no scrollback buffer built into Imposter, but you can customize screen dimensions (lines and columns).

• Ouput of supported internal DOS and batch commands is displayed in Imposter's own window. External DOS commands are launched as full screen DOS sessions, unless you use a *.PIF file.
• Supports redirection of command input and output as well as standard DOS piping.
• Emulation of DOS batch language is limited in some respects. Windows programs and PIF files can be included in batch files.
• When passed only a data file on the command line, Imposter can automatically launch associated programs (uses the WIN.INI file's extension associations).
• Imposter supports command aliases and implements a command history buffer but lacks enhanced directory changing and filename completion features.
• Mouse actions – A single click on any word transfers word to command line. A double click in Imposter's window runs command. You can copy all text in Imposter's window to the Windows clipboard using the Edit...Copy menu option.

Imposter supports to some degree the entire internal DOS command set, as well as most of the external commands defined in DOS 5.0. DOS commands are emulated – don't expect the syntax and/or output to match that of your DOS version. Additional commands specific to Imposter are also listed below.

ATTRIB / ATTR	ENTAB	MIN	SORT
BREAK	ERASE / DEL	MKDIR / MD	TIME
CDD	DUMP	MORE	TOUCH
CHDIR / CD	EXIT FIND	MOVE / RED	TREE
CLS	FF	NUKE	TS
COPY	FS	PATH	TYPE
DATE	HELP	PROMPT	VER
DATECOPY	KEYSTUFF	RENAME / REN	VERIFY
DEJUNK	LABEL	RENDIR	VOL
DETAB	MAX	RMDIR / RD	WINDOW / WIN
DIR	MEM	SET	XCOPY

Author: Darrell Wade Burgan (1992).

1992-10-08: v1.01.

Download imposter.zip (136K).

Zoom Shell — GUI command shell for Win9x.

* * * *

[added 1999-11-07, updated 2005-06-05]

A relatively sophisticated Win9x GUI command shell which supports command line history, filename autocompletion, command aliases, and even scripting. Pre-built aliases for many Unix commands, and grep capability. The command output window has a scrollback buffer, supports many internal DOS commands, and better: You can add commands to capture in ZSHELL's ouput window.

Author: David Fritts (1999).

1999-07-08: v3.1c.

Download zoomshel.zip (1.8MB).

MCL — Command line GUI for all 32-bit Windows.

unrated

[added 2001-03-17]

"This is great for fast typists, people who are used to UNIX, and generally anyone who doesn't like the idiot-proof way Windows tends to do things."

Remarks: MCL is not tuned specifically to DOS users – but rather to command typists in general. MCL will execute external DOS commands in a DOS window but comes with no support for internal DOS commands (except CD). An external plugin for the DIR command exists.

• AutoComplete – finishes your commands for you
• Rollup – compresses the window in a little bar, saving you screen space
• Command history – remembers up to 100 of your previously used commands
• Hotkey – One key combination anywhere in Windows and MCL is activated
• Macros – special commands that let you quickly execute one or more other commands
• Ability to execute not only programs, but DOS commands, Explorer, and URLs.
• Plug-ins extend MCL's capabilities

Author: Mike Lin (2000). Suggested by Stephan Frye.

Download MCL20.zip (73K).

Go to the MCL Home Page for more info, plug-ins, screenshots.

EasyConsole — Simple command line GUI for all 32-bit Windows.

unrated

[added 2001-03-17, updated 2005-08-22]

EasyConsole opens as a "slave" DOS console, and an adjacent "master application" (a Windows GUI dialog box) that feeds it commands. Directory changing is accomplished using a browser box. Ten commands can be stored on buttons, and the most recent 20 are held in a drop-down list box. The master application can be temporarily disabled, allowing you to issue commands in the DOS box itself.

This simple tool is adequate for the casual DOS command user, but EasyConsole probably won't find a spot in the advanced user's DOS arsenal.

Authors: Virginia Manso and Patrick Piccatte / Soft Experience, France (2004).

2004-05-23: v1.2. Free for personal use only – "Professional" license fee is US$15, with quantity discounts.

Download EasyConsole.zip (1.5MB).

For more info, including screenshots, go to the EasyConsole page – English / Français / Español / Português / Chinese / Bulgarian. Note: The page's download link gets an old version of the program – use our link, above.

DOSLFN — Real-mode driver for LFNs, supports magnetic disks and CDs.

* * * *

[added 2003-03-14, updated 2006-03-14]

Some DOS programs are capable of recognizing and preserving LFNs, but typically only when running under the Windows GUI, not in command mode or under plain DOS. This LFN driver (emulator) provides a replacement for the Windows interface, so programs can handle LFNs correctly. Known to work under MS-DOS 6.2+, WinNT DOS box, MS-DOS 7, DR-DOS 7 and FreeDOS. Should work under PCDOS, and other DR-DOSes. Under Windows 3.11, no support for networked drives or for 32-bit file access (but a 'FallBack' mode guarantees a functional LFN API if 32-bit access is not turned off). Supports Unicode and Chinese-Japanese-Korean (CJK) character sets. Reads LFNs on magnetic disks, and on CDs when the SHSUCD drivers (see page link, below) are also installed. Package includes additional utilities and source code (ASM & Pascal). Requires 80386+.

The program and docs are bilingual, English and German. Japanese and Russian versions are available on request.

Authors: Henrik Haftmann, Germany (2003); Jason Hood, Australia (2005).

2005-11-28: v0.40c.

Download doslfn.zip (291K).

Go to the SHSUCD page for CD drivers & utils.

Jason Hood's DOSLFN page has more info, and patches for FreeDOS and for the Vim editor that enable them to handle DOSLFN.

Henrik Haftmann's original DOSLFN Page, auf Deutsch, oder/or in English.

More in these pages from Jason Hood.

DOSLFNM — Older version of DOSLFN, uses MSCDEX for CD access.

* * *

[added 2005-02-04, updated 2006-03-14]

DOSLFNM uses Microsoft's MSCDEX, rather than the SHSUCD drivers, to access CD-ROMs. Use of this version is convenient, but not recommended – the SHSUCD drivers are more powerful. Install in addition to full version, above, which has support utilities and docs. Package includes source code (ASM & Pascal).

Authors: Henrik Haftmann, Germany (2003); Jason Hood, Australia (2005).

2005-11-30: v0.34b.

Download doslfnm.zip (133K).

More in these pages from Jason Hood.

LFNDOS — LFN driver for 16-bit DOS & DOS under Win9x.

unrated

[added 1999-06-20, updated 2006-08-21]

LFNDOS is another TSR that provides the Win9x LFN API to DOS programs. "Any DOS program which can use long file names, for example DOS 7 Command.com, edit.com and all DJGPP programs, can load and save using them with LFNDOS. Designed for Win95 users using DOS-mode, although it works under old DOS versions too!" Be sure to read the docs first for a discussion of limitations, bugs, and incompatible programs.

Author: Chris Jones (1999).

1999-08-29: v1.06.

Download lfndos.zip (24K).

LFN Tools — DOS command suite (COPY, DIR, CD, DEL, REN, MD...) handles LFNs.

* * * *

[added 1999-10-23, updated 2005-02-04]

LCOPY		copy files or directories (like XCOPY)
LDIR		display directory
LCD		change directory
LDEL		delete file
LCHK		drive information
LREN		rename file
LMD		create directory
LRD		remove directory

... easy file management under DOS with long filenames created by Windows 95/98 on FAT32, FAT16 and FAT12 file systems. To take full advantage of these tools, run them in pure DOS mode...It is NOT an extension of DOS. All your DOS programs can NOT handle long file names (LFNs) even with these tools. Other file systems than FAT are not supported...

If LFNDOS gives access to long filenames from any program, why have the LFN Tools at all? Well, the LFN Tools also handle long filenames on CD-ROM, and some versions of DOS (notably FreeDOS) do not support long filenames (i.e. DIR will display only short names, even if LFNDOS is loaded). For these cases, you may want to use the LFN Tools.

Misc. notes: Compatible with Windows Me. Available in English and in German. Released under GNU General Public License. Source also available.

Author: Ortwin (Odi) Glück, Switzerland (2003). Now maintained by yanker at Sourceforge.

2003-08-14: v1.79.

Go to the new LFN Tools page for docs, forums and more.

WCLIP — Redirect text to Win3.x/9x clipboard from STDIN or from clipboard to STDOUT.

* * * * *

[added 1999-03-16, updated 2001-01-21]

When working in a DOS box, many use the text mark and copy functions of the DOS box system menu to transfer a command's output to the Windows clipboard. One limitation of this approach is that only a single screen of text can be copied at a time. If command output exceeds 25-50 lines, transfers to the clipboard may require several "mark-copy" steps. WCLIP is a tiny program that offers a simple solution: Any output which can be redirected or piped is transferred directly to the Win3.x/9x (but not NT/2K/XP) clipboard, e.g.,

dir| wclip
wclip < some.txt

wclip read >> file.ext

WCLIP [SEND]  - to clipboard from STDIN (default mode)
WCLIP RECEIVE - from clipboard to STDOUT

SEND options:
        /A  append (default: overwrite)
        /T  T-pipe to STDOUT

RECEIVE option:
        /C  append CR+LF at end, if missing

Extended ASCII characters converted, unless..
        /X  no conversion OEM/ISO

"The clipboard text that can be handled by WCLIP is limited to the amount of free conventional memory, about 500-600 Kb..."

Author: Horst Schaeffer, Germany (2001).

2001-01-21: v2.2.

Download wclip22.zip (3K).

Go to Horst Schaeffer's Software Pages, in English — auf Deutsch, for more info and other programs for DOS & Windows.

More in these pages from Horst Schaeffer.

ToClip — Manipulate the Win 3.1x or Win 9x clipboard from a DOS box.

unrated

[added 2000-08-29, updated 2005-04-10]

This is a DOS clone of the Windows Clipboard Viewer. Requires a DOS under Win 3.1x/9x. From the doc file:

PURPOSE:
         Append a file or pipe onto the windows clipboard.
         Copy a file or pipe to the windows clipboard.
         Erase the clipboard.
         Print the clipboard to a file or printer.
         Append the clipboard to a file.

USAGE:
 toclip infile       -  Append infile to the clipboard
 toclip -c infile    -  Copy infile to the clipboard
 program | toclip    -  Append program output to the clipboard
 program | toclip -c -  Copy program output to the clipboard
 toclip -e           -  Erase the clipboard
 toclip -p           -  Print the clipboard to stdout
 toclip -p >prn      -  Print the clipboard to printer prn:
 toclip -p >outfile  -  Print the clipboard to outfile
 toclip -p >>outfile -  Append the clipboard to outfile
 toclip -p | program -  Pipe the clipboard binary to program
 toclip -p outfile   -  Copy the clipboard binary to outfile
 Change -p to -u to translate CRLF->LF (unix outfile)
Limitation: 60416 bytes of OEM text

MS-DOS switches /c, /e, /h, /p, /u make sense instead of the unix style
switches -c, -e, -h, -p, -u.

FURTHER EXAMPLES:
 toclip toclip.doc     -  Append toclip.doc to clipboard (binary append)
 toclip -c toclip.doc  -  Copy toclip.doc to clipboard (binary copy)
 dir | toclip          -  Append output of "dir" command to clipboard
 mem | toclip -c       -  Copy output of "mem" command to clipboard
 toclip -e             -  Erase clipboard
 toclip -p             -  Print clipboard to stdout (console)
 toclip -p >tmp.1      -  Copy clipboard to file tmp.1
 toclip -p >prn        -  Copy clipboard to the default printer
 toclip -p >>tmp.2     -  Append clipboard to tmp.2
 toclip -h             -  Print helpfile on console
 toclip -p |grep X     -  Print clipboard lines containing X
 toclip -u out.unx     -  Print clipboard to unix format file out.unx

Other: Free for use by individuals and educational institutions. Released under GNU General Public License. C source code in package.

Author: Grant B. Gustafson (1998).

1998-09-10: v1.0.

Download toclip10.zip (14K).

Drop to DOS — Opens a DOS window into a Win32 folder.

unrated

[added 2001-03-18]

Drop to DOS is a freeware utility that adds an entry to the pop up menu that is displayed when the right mouse button is pressed on a folder. If you right click on any folder and choose the Drop To DOS option, a Command Prompt window will be opened with the current directory being the folder you chose.

You can use the following command line switches:
/A to activate
/D to deactivate

Works with Win9x/ME/NT/2K/XP.

Author: Terabyte Unlimited (2004).

2003-11-06: v1.02.

Download DOSDROP.ZIP (13K).

Get more free software for DOS & Windows at Terabyte Unlimited Freeware.

DOSBAR — Add system menu toolbar to Win 3.1x DOS box.

* * * *

DosBar provides a toolbar that gives you easy access to DOS settings that can be accessed from the system menu of a DOS window. Dosbar is configurable (buttons displayed, button order, size and placement of toolbar).

Mark		Enlarge Font		Full Screen		Scroll
Copy		Reduce Font		Maximize Window		Switch To
Paste		Change Font		Minimize window		Dosbar Configuration
				Close Window

Author: Andreas Furrer (1995).

Download dosbr143.zip (26K).

sched and run — Two programs run a Win3.x app from a DOS window.

* * *

Snipped from the docs:

With the combination of the programs run and sched, it is possible to start any program written for Microsoft Windows, from a windowed DOS prompt.

Add the following line into the section [windows] in win.ini:
        load=sched.exe

To start a windows program, just type at the DOS prompt:
        run windows_program [parameters] [&]

Sched runs idle waiting for jobs. If a job is passed to sched, sched changes to the directory specified in the job, and runs the program (with optional parameters) specified in the job as a child process. If the last specified parameter is the & symbol, the program will run minimized.

Requires 80386 and Win3.x running in enhanced mode.

Author: Frits Wiarda, Netherlands (1992).

Download run18.zip (23K).

WOAFON — Additional fonts for Windows 3.1x DOS boxes.

* * *

[updated 1999-02-07]

Windows 3.1 introduced the ability to change the fonts for DOS boxes via a "Fonts..." item in the system menu. This gives you a variety of font sizes, namely 4x6, 5x12, 6x8, 7x12, 8x8, 8x12, 10x18, 12x16, 16x8 and 16x12. However, there is a significant gap between 8x12 (very small on 1024x768) and 10x18 (quite large, not usable if the DOS box has 43 or 50 lines). The fonts in WOAFON14.ZIP fit nicely into this gap: Their sizes are 9x10, 9x11, 9x16 (two fonts), 10x12 and 10x13.

Author: Peter Karrer, Switzerland (1993).

Download woafon14.zip (23K).

NewDOS Fonts — Additional fonts for Windows DOS boxes.

unrated

[added 2000-01-13]

NewDOS.FON is a substitute for the Terminal font in Windows, used in DOS boxes and the console (non-GUI command line). From the docs:

NewDOS.FON contains four new OEM-fonts for the DOS-Box and Consoles. These are 8x13, 9x16, 10x19, 12x23. These four fonts are freeware for private use. They are available with Codepages 437, 850, 865 and 852... CP 850 contains the Euro currency symbol at position 213 as defined by IBM.

Author: Uwe Sieber, Germany (1999).

Also available: Fonts for code pages 737, 862, 1252 (all versions, ~10K each), and the DOSLIKE font, a substitute for the Windows FIXEDSYS.FON.

Get fonts and info from the DOSFon page, in English or/oder auf Deutsch.

PFE — Windows text editor can capture DOS standard output to editing window.

* * * * *

[added 1998-03-04, updated 1999-02-07]

PFE is one of the finest freeware Windows applications I've run across. It admirably serves a dual role as programmer's editor and general purpose text editor. PFE is especially attractive to DOS users because it can capture DOS standard output to an editing window (e.g., external / internal DOS commands ). I often use PFE to capture help screen output for inclusion in program descriptions. Excellent help file included.

Author: Alan Phillips, UK (1999). Suggested by Bjørn Simonsen.

1999-01-31: v1.01.000 for Win16 and for Win32. Last versions, development has ended.

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