What is the Dir Command?:
The dir command is a Recovery Console command used to display a list of the files and subfolders contained in a folder.
A dir command is also available from the Command Prompt.
What Information Does the Dir Command Show?:
The dir command will display the current drive letter of the partition, the volume label, volume serial number, total files listed, total size of all files in bytes and the total bytes remaining free on the drive.
For each file and folder listed, the dir command will also display the file or folder name, the file extension, the date and time the file was last changed, and the following file attributes, assuming any exist for the specific file or folder:
d = Directory
h = Hidden file
s = System file
e = Encrypted
r = Read-only file
a = Files ready for archiving
c = Compressed file
p = Reparse Point
Dir Command Syntax:
dir [drive:][path][filename]
drive = This is the drive letter containing the folders and/or files you want to display.
path = This is the folder or folder path containing the folders and/or files you want to display.
filename = This is the specific file or group of files that you want to display.
Note: Wildcard characters ? and * can be used along with the filename to display groups of similar files.
Note: The dir command only functions inside the system folders of the current installation of Windows, in removable media, in the root folder of any partition, or in the local Windows installation source.
Dir Command Examples:
dir
In the above example, typing the dir command alone will display a list of all files and folders within the folder location that you're currently located in.
For example, if you typed dir while in the C:\Windows folder, all of the files and folders contained in the C:\Windows folder will display on screen.
dir c:\windows\system
In this example, the dir command is used to show all files and folders located in the c:\windows\system folder. Since the entire path was entered, this command could be entered from any other folder location you might be in.
Dir Command Availability:
The dir command is available from within the Recovery Console in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Dir Related Commands:
The dir command is often used with many other Recovery Console commands.
