DOS >

• Originally called FASTDOS6.TXT (download: FASTDOS6.7z)

• https://archive.org/details/DOS6FILE_ZIP (text file)

---

• My comments are in blockquotes.

• ~2006-04-22 and perhaps MUCH earlier — “This text is very dated, and may not reflect my current understanding.”

My early introduction ∞

Many thanks go out to “the brother-in-law” for making the original of this text file. It’s well done albiet a little outdated now that I’m looking at it. I’ve added in some comments every once and a while if I disagree with anything or just want to add something.

I HIGHLY recommend that everyone read through their manual to get to know the programs a little better if you’re ever fuzzy on anything. There are lists similar to this one here, which describe the programs, and make suggestions as to which one’s you can kill.

DOS 6 – The Real Story ∞

OK, so you ran out and got DOS 6. WOW, what a bunch of files. But do you REALLY have to keep all those MEGS of junk just to do what you need to do? I deleted 1.2 megs of crap just looking around.

Dos 6.0 has even more things added to it than dos 5 (perhaps this is as it should be), but can’t you get rid of some baggage you don’t need? Absolutely!

With well over 100 files, DOS 6 certainly has alot to offer. But you know you’d never use some of it, if you could figure out what it all does. To find out what you do and don’t need, read through the following list, and see if you can delete things that just don’t do anything for you.

A MEG of hard drive space is a terrible thing to waste, and deleting files you don’t use is the cheapest way to increase storage. Besides, you can always reinstall (expand) a file from your dos disks should you someday need something you’ve deleted.

The following listing should pretty well match up with your directory, especially if you use a dos shell that alphabetizes the files for your convenience.

Before you actually delete anything that you don’t think you need/want, make life easy on yourself. Just move the files to a new directory named DOSJUNK, and wait a couple weeks. If nothing crashes, and all your batch files work, and you don’t get that mysterious “File not found” error when booting up, then DELTREE that directory. If you have problems, you can always copy a particular file back into the DOS directory, and kill the rest of them later.

By reading this list, you may learn a few tricks of DOS 6’s new features (like MEMMAKER). The expanded online dos help, and your DOS 6 User’s Guide (you really didn’t pirate DOS 6, did you?) you should have a good grip on those mysterious files. What is some of this stuff, anyway?

HINT OF THE YEAR!: Do you hate to wait any longer than necessary for your computer to boot? Do you want to save 2 seconds every time? Put the following line (first, before anything else) in your CONFIG.SYS

file:SWITCHES=/F ∞

This will eliminate the built in two second delay for loading DOS, and get you going faster.

Now I suppose you’re saying, “Yea, sure. I bet it formats the hard drive or something else nasty.” Check it out. Look in your DOS 6 manual under SWITCHES.

Almost right. You can stick this thing anywhere in your config.sys as it really doesn’t matter.

The other hint of the year is to put a lastdrive=D (for example) into your config.sys to get memory out of nowhere. =)

. <DIR> ∞

So you always wondered what the DOT directory was, but didn’t know who to ask? Consider it to be the equivalent of a table of contents for the directory it resides in. Unlike as in a book, if you delete this DOT, you’ve in effect deleted your table of contents. Dos says that if your table of contents is empty, then your directory is empty. Delete DOT, and you’ve deleted ALL your files. This is a nice shortcut sometimes. Instead of using DEL *.* to delete everything, you can type DEL . (you don’t even need the space between DEL and the dot) and you’ll get the old “are you sure” prompt, just the same. Many other dos commands will work using the DOT, such as COPY and XCOPY.

.. <DIR> ∞

DOUBLE DOT is the little trail of bread crumbs that dos uses to find its way back to the root directory. You can’t mess with it, so don’t try.

HUH?! You can do a del ..\. or copy \. ..\ or really nifty things like this.

ANSI.SYS bytes=9065 ∞

This is a device driver used to redefine keys, control cursor position, and create lots of neat colors on the screen, when used in conjunction with the MODE command. Store it in your CONFIG.SYS file as: DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS. This device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command in your CONFIG.SYS file. Keep it.

I personally use a third party ansi.com program. Beware that this ansi.sys will also allow “ansi bombs”, which are keyboard re-definitions. These “bombs” can reassign all of your keys to format c: or something.. so watch out, and when possible.. pick up an alternate ansi.sys or an ansi.com which does NOT allow keyboard redefinition. You’ll find that the program is less of a memory hog too.

APPEND.EXE bytes=10774 ∞

JUNK! Enables programs to open data files in specified directories as if the files were in the current directory (kind of like the path statement). Do not use this command when you are running Windows. The specified directories are called appended directories because, for the sake of opening data files, they can be found as if they were appended to the current directory. Don’t back it up – kill it. Even if you do use old programs, you’re better off writing batch files that use PATH and SUBST to solve the problem. Delete it.

ATTRIB.EXE bytes=11165 ∞

Displays or changes file attributes. This command displays, sets, or removes the Read-Only, Archive, System, and Hidden attributes assigned to files or directories.

Syntax:

ATTRIB [+a] [-a] [+h] [-h] [+r] [-r] [+s] [-s]

where: +a,-a serves to set or remove the file’s archive attribute (used for backing up or copying modified files only); +h,-h severs to hide or unhide a file (e.g., type: ATTRIB +H RESUME.DOC to hide your resume); and +r,-r serves to set or remove a file’s read-only attribute.

Using ATTRIB +R \*.EXE /S will protect all EXE files on the current drive from modification or erasure. Unfortunately, making a file read-only will not protect it from viruses, since the virus creators just reset this attribute bit. Keep it.

CHKDSK.EXE bytes=12908 ∞

Keep it. Checks the status of a disk and displays a status report. Can also fix disk errors. The status report shows logical errors found in the MS-DOS filing system, which consists of the file allocation table and directories. It will check for errors such as lost clusters and lost allocation units; displays formatted disk size and the number of bad sectors; tells whether a file is fragmented, and the amount of conventional memory installed and available. The only thing screwy about it is that if you have lost clusters, it offers to fix them and then doesn’t – unless you first type: CHKDSK/F.

CHKSTATE.SYS bytes=41600 ∞

This file is used by MEMMAKER to check out your computer. After you’ve run MEMMAKER, it’s useless and can be deleted.

CHOICE.COM bytes=1754 ∞

Prompts the user to make a choice in a batch program. Displays a specified prompt and pauses for the user to choose from among a specified set of keys. You can use this command only in batch programs. If you write a batch file now and then, it’s a keeper.

Even if you don’t, I’d suggest that you keep it. You never know when someone else’s batch program will just assume that you have it. Besides, it’s tiny.

COMMAND.COM bytes=52925 ∞

This is DOS’s primary command processor, which includes all internal DOS commands, and it is fundamental to running MS-DOS. If you delete it, the computer dies. ‘Nuff said.

Actually, this guy’s completely wrong here. If you’ve got a command.com in your root directory then you can kill this one without any worry. Also, have a boot diskette around with the sys.com on it in case of emergencies

COUNTRY.SYS bytes 17066 ∞

If you use non-U.S. country types and symbols for things like currency, date, and time, then install COUNTRY.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you only use U.S. codes and symbols, delete it.

Correctamundo. But keep in mind that Canadian codes and symbols are the same thing in this case; Canadians can kill this file.

DBLSPACE.BIN bytes=50284 ∞

A hard drive compression utility that compressed your files as they are written to your drive, and uncompresses them as they are read. If you don’t use it, delete DBLSPACE.* and save nearly half a meg.

DBLSPACE.EXE bytes=273068 ∞

see above

DBLSPACE.HLP bytes=72173 ∞

see above

DBLSPACE.INF bytes=2166 ∞

see above

DBLSPACE.SYS bytes=339 ∞

see above

DBLWIN.HLP bytes=8597 ∞

this one can go too, if you don’t use the above.

AAACK! Kill it, kill it!! (doublespace/drivespace kills drives DEAD). Just kidding.. =) I’ve had some problems with this program in my time.. and I’m one of the lucky one’s! However, the bugs are fixed for recent versions and you shouldn’t worry about it at all.. however, I recommend Stacker over everything, so I’ve killed my copy.

DEBUG.EXE bytes=15715 ∞

Use it to test and debug executable files. Also used in some software cracks. If you don’t do that sort of thing, delete it.

Hahaha.. wrong. You can uuencode things with it, you can remap the keyboard with ansi codes etc.. this thing is a little wonder. Kill it if you’re strictly a non computer person, otherwise keep the thing, it’s 16k of awesome program if you ever learn it.

DEFRAG.EXE bytes=75017 ∞

Sectors on your hard disk are filled in order, from first to last. As files get deleted, then new ones added, they get scattered into several fragments as they fill the empty sectors first, then jump to the next empty sectors. DEFRAG will arrange your files so they are stored on your drive in the same order as written. This makes loading faster, and reduces wear on the drive. A nice side effect is the alphabetization of your directories and getting the directories listed before the individual files. Makes finding stuff a lot faster and easier. Run it every couple weeks if you use your computer much. Definitely a keeper.

DEFRAG.HLP bytes=9227 ∞

Help file for the above.

DELOLDOS.EXE bytes=17710 ∞

A utility to get rid of your old dos directory which was created when you updated to DOS 6. You can do the same thing by deleting the files, then using RD to remove the directory, or using DELTREE below. Delete it.

DELTREE.EXE bytes=10565 ∞

Deletes a directory and all the
files and subdirectories that are in it. Finally, DOS does it right. This works like PRUNE in XTGOLD [ 1 ]. Be careful. Once you delete something in a directory, then delete the directory, it’s gone, and undelete won’t get it back. (Norton Utilities will, but that’s some serious messing around). Keep it.

Aah, a Norton user eh? Did you know that the ndos/4DOS del /s /x /z command will do the same thing as this deltree.exe program? If you’ve got ndos running, kill this thing.. it’s a waste. Then make an alias assigning deltree to del /s /x /z.

DISKCOMP.COM bytes=10620 ∞

This command performs a track-by-track comparison of two floppy disks. Rarely useful, it’s up to you to keep/delete, but I got rid of it.

Again, if you’re a non computer person, feel free to kill it. But it might one day be useful.. I doubt it though.

DISKCOPY.COM bytes=11879 ∞

Copies the entire contents of one floppy disk to another floppy disk, track by track, sector by sector. This only works if both disk are the same size and density. There are other programs that will copy between drives and disks of different sizes (POLYCOPY is a good shareware version).This can save you from having to make a SYS disk then copying your files to it when you need to copy a sys disk. Useful for copying, keep it.

I personally use another disk copier which uses EMS/XMS for one pass copying.

DISPLAY.SYS bytes=15789 ∞

Enables you to display international character sets on EGA, VGA, and LCD monitors. This device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you only use U.S. English, delete it.

DOSHELP.HLP bytes=5667 ∞

Part of the HELP system. If you don’t use HELP, you don’t know what you’re missing.

This command is what began my random exploration and got me into mucking about with computers in the first place.

DOSKEY.COM bytes=5883 ∞

The Doskey program recalls MS-DOS commands and enables you to edit command lines and create and run macros. Try it, you’ll like it. A must keep.

DOSSHELL.COM bytes=4620 ∞

Part of dosshell. A Windows-like file and disk manager that works great if you don’t like to work from the command prompt. The main stuff you can do from command prompt you can do here, without any intimidation for less experienced users. If you don’t use dosshell, type: DELETE DOSSHELL.*

Eww.. DOS HELL. If you’re a non computer person then you won’t even figure the thing out enough to use it.. just kill it and learn DOS. This thing is NOT Windows like at all; it’s a pain. I use batch files which do the same thing as this program and are tiny compared to it. However, it might be good for some people.. your choice.

DOSSHELL.EXE bytes=236378 ∞

see above

DOSSHELL.GRB bytes=4421 ∞

see above

DOSSHELL.HLP bytes=161323 ∞

see above

DOSSHELL.INI bytes=11882 ∞

see above

DOSSHELL.VID bytes=9462 ∞

see above

DOSSWAP.EXE bytes=18756 ∞

Every time you swap between applications using Task Switcher (in DOSSHELL), the current application’s state is written to disk, creating a temporary file called DOSSWAP.EXE. If you use DOS Shell and Task Swapper, keep it; otherwise, delete it.

I put a nice little SHELL= in my config.sys so that I don’t need this program. I have it assigned to a dos replacement.. I’m not sure if a SHELL=C:\DOS\command.com will work. Probably..

DRIVER.SYS bytes=5406 ∞

A device driver for use with certain external and some non-standard drives. If you don’t use drives that require it, delete it.

EDIT.COM bytes=413 ∞

A useful ascii editor with lots of features. I prefer to use XTGOLD’s editor, but keep it anyway.

This requires the QBasic program, making is a HUGE text editor. I use a 7k replacement that whoops it’s butt.. but I still keep it around because it’s small.. and I’ve kept QBasic for programming.

EDIT.HLP bytes=17898 ∞

help for edit.com

EGA.CPI bytes=58870 ∞

Used with the MODE command to display national character symbols on EGA and VGA symbols. If you got rid of the rest of these type files, get rid of this one, too.

EGA.SYS bytes=4885 ∞

Saves and restores the display when the MS-DOS Shell Task Swapper is used with EGA monitors. If you don’t have an EGA monitor, delete it.

EMM386.EXE bytes=115294 ∞

Provides access to the upper memory area and uses extended memory to simulate expanded memory. This device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> command in your CONFIG.SYS file and can be used only on computers with an 80386 or higher processor. A definite keeper unless you’re still on an 8088 or 286 machine.

There are some switches you should learn for this program to get it going 110% like RAM or whatever.. look it up in your manual. However, I would suggest that you avoid it entirely, or put it as a menu option for programs which require it. In my experience this program slows down the machine. What else would you expect.. it’s emulating an 8086’s memory.. ugh.

EXPAND.EXE bytes=16129 ∞

Used to uncompress your original dos files from the dos install disks. As they are, on the disk, they’re unusable. They must be expanded to be used, so keep this one. You never know when you might need one of the “junk” files you’re deleting now.

This program is absolutely essential. Some install programs still assume you have it around and are useless without it. I highly recommend that you keep this program.

FASTHELP.EXE bytes=11481 ∞

Displays a list of all MS-DOS 6 commands and gives a brief explanation of each. The information that the FASTHELP command displays is similar to, but less detailed than, the information found in MS-DOS Help, so I just kept the other and got rid of this one.

FASTOPEN.EXE bytes=12034 ∞

FASTOPEN buffers the File Allocation Table (FAT) and directory structure by creating a cache of recently used directories and filenames. Use it with Smartdrive to improve disk access speed. It may cause problems with some applications software. Try it, if it works, keep it.

Note that this program WILL conflict with other programs! It’s a nice concept but doesn’t work for me.. If you’ve got a real caching program like ncache2, which will replace smartdrive, then ditch smartdrive and fastopen. Otherwise.. heck, you might like it.

FC.EXE bytes=18650 ∞

File Compare. Compares two files and displays the differences between them. If you don’t do that, don’t keep this.

FDISK.EXE bytes=29333 ∞

Use FDISK to create logical hard disk
partitions. FDISK is also used to create partitions for running DOS and another operating system, such as Unix or OS/2 [gag]. Remember, creating or changing partitions using FDISK destroys underlying data, so always backup your drive before using FDISK. Keep it.

GAG?! OS/2 is amazing!!! =) I personally have a program which doesn’t “destroy underlying data” but does essentially the same thing. This program is good.. keep it if you want, keep a copy on your boot disk at the very least.

FIND.EXE bytes=6,770 ∞

One of three DOS filters used in batch files, it searches files for contents which are then redirected to another file. Delete it if you don’t think you ever will do that.

I’m a batch programmer who never used this program.. and then a whole new world opened up to me because of this little thing. It’s absolutely amazing and even more essential than choice.com could ever be.

FORMAT.COM bytes=22717 ∞

The FORMAT command creates a new root directory and file allocation table for the disk. It can also check for bad areas on the disk, and it can delete all data on the disk. In order for MS-DOS to be able to use a new disk, you must first use this command to format the disk. I like to use ConFormat, which will format a disk while you and your computer do something else. Format is slow, and there are substitutes, but keep it anyway.

(clap clap) I’m liking you more and more.. I also use the con>fmt formatter. Nice piece of work it is. I recommend you keep this but keep you eyes out for a better formatter.. this thing is just bare bones.

GRAPHICS.COM bytes=19694 ∞

Loads a program into memory that allows MS-DOS to print the information displayed on your screen. Use the GRAPHICS command only if you are using a color or graphics adapter. Supports CGA through VGA. Keep it.

This program is especially useful for printing those extended ASCII screens. I’m hurting because I deleted it. =(

GRAPHICS.PRO bytes=21232 ∞

Data file for GRAPHICS.COM. Keep both or neither.

HELP.COM bytes=413 ∞

When you get back to the dos prompt, type HELP and get enough information about dos and its commands to make a small book. One of the best sources of information you have. Now, the trick: You must have QBASIC.EXE to run HELP. KEEP IT!

HELP.HLP bytes=294741 ∞

A big file, yes, but keep it if you want to use the HELP command.

HIMEM.SYS bytes=14224 ∞

HIMEM is an extended-memory manager that coordinates the use of your computer’s extended memory, including the high memory area (HMA), so that no two applications or device drivers use the same memory at the same time. If you have a 386 or above, keep it and use it.

INTERLNK.EXE bytes=17197 ∞

Kind of like LapLink, it connects two computers via parallel or serial ports and enables the computers to share disks and printer ports. For example, you could connect a laptop computer to a desktop computer and share files. Keep it if you use it.

I prefer any other program to this one. Especially one which allows me to do those things across modem lines.

INTERSVR.EXE ∞

bytes=37314 Starts the Interlnk server. See interlnk.exe.

KEYB.COM bytes=14983 ∞

Starts the Keyb program, which configures a keyboard for a specific language (other than U.S. English). Delete it if you only use U.S. English.

Or Canadian English.. eh. =)

KEYBOARD.SYS bytes=34694 ∞

Despite its SYS extension, KEYBOARD.SYS is really the data file for KEYBOARD.COM. If you need foreign keyboard characters, keep it. Otherwise, delete it.

LABEL.EXE bytes=9390 ∞

Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label (name) of a disk. Keep it.

LOADFIX.COM bytes=1131 ∞

Some early programs were designed to load after the first 64K of memory because DOS was already using that area. Now that DOS loads into upper memory, they may or may not run. This program forces them to load after the first 64K block, so they’ll run right. Keep it. You just never know when you’ll get a “Packed file is corrupt” message. If you do, run this file and try it again.

Well I’ve been around, and I’ve NEVER ever ever EVER run into that error message. I just don’t understand it.. maybe it’s good for running really ancient and crusty programs?

MEM.EXE bytes=32150 ∞

A memory mapping program, it tells you what programs are in memory, where they are and how much RAM they take. Great for tweaking your system. Keep it.

MEMMAKER.EXE bytes=118628 ∞

DOS 6’s new, automatic configuration program. This will configure your system for the maximum performance and use of upper and EMS/XMS memory. It usually only needs run once at setup, but if you enjoy tweaking, keep it anyway. If you don’t mess with what you don’t understand, learn about it. After you’ve used it, you can delete it.

What, are you nuts?! Keep this thing forever if you use it once. If you ever want to install another Terminate and stay resident program (TSR) program or whatever.. then you’ll want to run this program another time.

MEMMAKER.HLP bytes=17081 ∞

Help file for memmaker.exe

MEMMAKER.INF bytes=1642 ∞

This file is used to tell memmaker to ignore certain programs when it configures your machine. See memmaker.exe program.

MODE.COM bytes=23521 ∞

Configures system devices. The MODE command performs many different tasks, such as displaying system status, changing system settings, or reconfiguring ports or devices. If you don’t do that stuff, delete it.

If your monitor goes all weird after breaking out of a program, then mode 80 will get you back to normal. This program is nice, personally I’ve kept it.

MONOUMB.386 bytes=8783 ∞

If you want to use the monochrome video area in upper mem for loading programs, this is the trick. Keep it only if you use it, and chances are, you won’t.

This is a device.. use the DEVICE=C:\DOS\monoumb.386 in your config.sys if you really want to use this.. I can’t see why you would though. Nice idea, underrated though.

MORE.COM bytes=2546 ∞

Used in conjunction with other commands to display one screen of text at a time. for example, the line MEM/C|MORE will display memory information one screen at a time. Keep it.

Great little program. You can even do a type bla.doc|more if you want. But remember that you could more easily do a more < bla.doc which is a LOT faster.

MOVE.EXE bytes=17371 ∞

It’s about time. This will let you move a program from one directory to another, not just by copying the file then deleting the old one, but by changing the file’s pointers so that it now resides in a different directory. I moved 3 one meg files in 1 second, and didn’t need free space to make the copies before the old files were deleted because it didn’t copy them. It just changed the File Allocation Table listing to reflect their new home.

Syntax

MOVE [drive:][path]filename[,[drive:][path]filename[...]] destination

The MOVE command also renames directories.

Syntax

MOVE C:\oldname c:\newname

Absolutely, keep it.

MSAV.EXE bytes=172198 ∞

Scans your computer for known viruses. If you live in fear of a sick computer and don’t have anything else, keep it and use it.

Get ThunderByte Antivirus, it’s proven to be the best in existence.. and I’m SURE that it’ll stay that way until they make the proper anti-virus chip. This program is pathetic and old.. even if you get a two day old copy of DOS, it’s outdated and can easily be replaced by even a cheesy shareware scanner.

MSAV.HLP bytes=23891 ∞

Help file for msav.exe

MSAVHELP.OVL bytes=29828 ∞

see above

MSAVIRUS.LST bytes=35520 ∞

see above

MSBACKDB.OVL bytes=63306 ∞

Part of the new MSBACKUP program, it’s still not as good as many commercial programs at backing up your hard drive, but it’s far superior to the old BACKUP/RESTORE, which had a nasty habit of committing suicide on you after it murdered your files. Keep it if you use it.

Yuk.. use some kind of compression program which can span information in multiple disks. Just remember to not fragment files and leave some space on the disks you back up to.. in the case that they should have minor problems.. you can actually recover them.

MSBACKDR.OVL bytes=67146 ∞

see above

MSBACKFB.OVL bytes=68730 ∞

see above

provided through the courtesy of the-brother-in-law [ 2 ]

MSBACKFR.OVL bytes=72714 ∞

see above

MSBACKUP.EXE bytes=5506 ∞

see above

MSBACKUP.HLP bytes=314236 ∞

see above

MSBACKUP.OVL bytes=133952 ∞

see above

MSBCONFG.HLP bytes=45780 ∞

see above

MSBCONFG.OVL bytes=47210 ∞

see above

MSCDEX.EXE bytes=25377 ∞

Provides access to CD-ROM drives. MSCDEX can be loaded from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or from the command prompt. (The device driver that came with your CD-ROM drive must be loaded from your CONFIG.SYS file.) If it sounds like this has potential for problems, you’re right. If you have a CD-ROM drive, better find out if you need this one. Let the battle begin.

MSD.EXE bytes=158470 ∞

Kind of like CHECKIT, this will tell you all about your system, video, processors, ports, ram, etc. If you like that sort of thing, keep it.

MSTOOLS.DLL bytes=13424 ∞

Part of the MSTOOLS for windows stuff.

MWAV.EXE bytes=142640 ∞

Anti virus for windows. If you use it, keep it.

Trust me.. if it doesn’t work in DOS, then it won’t in Windows either. Toss these files even if you have Windows. Just use the DOS version if at all.

MWAV.HLP bytes=25663 ∞

see above

MWAVABSI.DLL bytes=54576 ∞

see above

MWAVDLG.DLL bytes=36368 ∞

see above

MWAVDOSL.DLL bytes=44736 ∞

see above

MWAVDRVL.DLL bytes=7744 ∞

see above

MWAVMGR.DLL bytes=21712 ∞

see above

MWAVSCAN.DLL bytes=151568 ∞

see above

MWAVSOS.DLL bytes=7888 ∞

see above

MWAVTSR.EXE bytes=17328 ∞

see above

MWBACKF.DLL bytes=14560 ∞

Backup for windows. If you use backup and windows, this one’s for you.

MWBACKR.DLL bytes=111120 ∞

see above

MWBACKUP.EXE bytes=309024 ∞

see above

MWBACKUP.HLP bytes=400880 ∞

see above

MWGRAFIC.DLL bytes=6944 ∞

Another file for your Windows ToolKit

MWUNDEL.EXE bytes=130496 ∞

Undelete for windows

Nearly anything “for Windows” is just pretty. You would in most cases be better off sticking with the DOS versions to save space.

MWUNDEL.HLP bytes=35741 ∞

help file for above

NETWORKS.TXT bytes=21450 ∞

Info on making your network compatible with DOS 6. If you don’t have a network, delete this.

NLSFUNC.EXE bytes=7036 ∞

Loads country-specific information for national language support (NLS). If you use U.S. English only, delete it.

POWER.EXE bytes=052 ∞

Ya know those power saving laptop computers? This is for them. It reduces power consumption when applications and devices are idle for computers that conform to the Advanced Power Management (APM) specification. Unless you need it, dump it.

PRINT.EXE bytes=15640 ∞

Prints a text file while you are using other MS-DOS commands. This command can print in the background while you and your computer do something else. Keep it, for sure.

QBASIC.EXE bytes=194309 ∞

No, no GORILLA.BAS program this time. Does anyone still use basic to write programs? Delete it UNLESS you use HELP. HELP requires this program to run.

Hey, I do! =)

QBASIC.HLP bytes=130881 ∞

see above

RAMDRIVE.SYS bytes=5873 ∞

Uses part of your computer’s random-access memory (RAM) to simulate a hard disk drive. This device driver must be loaded by a <DEVICE> or <DEVICEHIGH> command in your CONFIG.SYS file. Once a RAM drive is created, it is assigned a drive letter and it behaves like a disk drive, except that it is volatile. Should you turn off the PC or lose power, then whatever is on the drive is history. Keep it if you have enough ram to use it.

One thing to note is that a ramdrive is many many many times faster than a hard drive, and if you set up a ramdrive on your system properly, and use it for temp files and other purposes, then you will have a faster computer by far.

README.TXT bytes=57349 ∞

Notes on DOS 6. You never know when you might need to know something here, but if you’ve never read it before, chances are you don’t need it now. Check it out, then delete.

REPLACE.EXE bytes=20226 ∞

A useful command, REPLACE can be used to update (or replace) existing files in the destination directory, or just add new files without overwriting existing ones. Lots of great switches; check it out.

Or you can use 4DOS/ndos with it’s internal function which makes this program obsolete.

RESTORE.EXE bytes=38294 ∞

Used to bring back (sometimes) earlier dos backups, this file is included for backwards compatibility. If you didn’t use BACKUP before, you don’t need RESTORE now. Bang. Zoom. To the moon, it’s gone.

SETVER.EXE bytes=12015 ∞

Some software was designed to ask your computer what release of DOS you were running. It may have wanted DOS 3.2, and wouldn’t run on DOS 2.0. Nobody thought about a DOS 4, 5, or 6, so when the answer comes back as anything but 3, the software won’t work. This program is used to lie to your programs when they ask what DOS version you’re running. If your software thinks it will only run under DOS 3, and you’re on DOS 6, SETVER can be used to tell your program it’s running DOS 3 when it asks. Useful for old, or odd software. I’ve never needed it…

It can be slightly dangerous faking out your system and running crusty old software on it.. if at all possible, avoid this.

SHARE.EXE bytes=10912 ∞

Used primarily on networks, SHARE provides for file sharing and record-locking capabilities. Even if you’re not on a network, some applications – such as ObjectVision 2.0 – require it for file sharing. Keep it.

You’ll be kicking yourself in the back of the head if you get a nice many hundred dollar program like Microsoft Publisher for Windows and find that it refuses to work without this cheesy program. Keep if unless you’re absolutely sure. I’m still wondering why those huge programs don’t have a program like this included with them!

SIZER.EXE bytes=7169 ∞

Used by the MemMaker memory optimization program to determine the size in memory of device drivers and memory-resident programs. When you’re done with MEMMAKER, you’re done with this program.

Like I said earlier.. if you think you’ll ever need to run memmaker more than the one time, then you ought to at least back this up, along with all the other memmaker programs/modules.

SMARTDRV.EXE bytes=42073 ∞

The latest version, and a good improvement. Loads the SMARTDRV.EXE device driver to perform double buffering. Double buffering provides compatibility for certain hard-disk controllers that cannot work with memory provided by EMM386 or Windows running in 386 enhanced mode. To find out whether you need to use double buffering, see <SMARTDRV.EXEÄÄNotes> [ 3 ]. Replace your old SMARTDRV file with this one. Don’t let the terminology confuse you. Chances are, SMARTDRV.EXE will greatly benefit your computer. Keep it.

SMARTMON.EXE bytes=28672 ∞

Windows program, Smartdrive Monitor. Lets you control, adjust and monitor your SMARTDRV.EXE program to see how it’s doing. Nice, but not NEEDED.

SMARTMON.HLP bytes=10727 ∞

help file for smartmon.exe

SORT.EXE bytes=6922 ∞

Want your directory list alphabetized when you see it? Use DOSKEY and SORT to make a macro to save the keystrokes, or type DIR > SORT. Useful and time saving. Keep it.

Or you can use a good defragmentation program which does this for you. I deleted it.

SUBST.EXE bytes=18478 ∞

Substitutes a drive letter for adirectory name, or one drive for another. SUBST is necessary for really old programs that don’t understand subdirectories, such as DPS III+ [ 4 ]. It’s also useful with the PATH command to replace references to really long, or nested, subdirectories. If you have something on your hard drive that needs to be installed from a floppy, use the SUBST command to make your computer think it’s reading the A: drive when it installs from another directory on C:. Note: To use drive letters greater than E, add the LASTDRIVE command to your CONFIG.SYS file. Keep it.

Thanks for reminding me. For some weird reason.. if you put the lastdrive statement into your config.sys then you will be given memory out of nowhere. It’s odd, but it works.

SYS.COM bytes=9379 ∞

Makes a disk bootable by copying COMMAND.COM and two invisible files: IO.SYS (or IBMBIO.SYS) and MSDOS.SYS (or IBMDOS.SYS) to a floppy. KEEP IT.

And also keep it on all of your boot disks as well.

TREE.COM bytes=6898 ∞

Displays a listing of a disk’s directory structure, including files, with the /F switch. More than anything else, this program will give you a visual representation of directories and help you understand their structure. Keep it.

UNDELETE.EXE bytes=26420 ∞

While this program does restore files that were previously deleted by using the <DEL> command it also has three levels of protecting files against accidental deletionÄÄ [ 5 ] Delete Sentry, Delete Tracker, and Standard. Learn to use this one. Success rates are better the sooner you try it after the deletion in Standard mode. If you regularly say OH SHIT!, then set up the Delete Sentry system. It’ll save your butt someday. KEEP IT.

Remember that unless you put in some weird deletion sentry system, you cannot recover overwritten files. =(

UNFORMAT.COM bytes=12738 ∞

Like undelete, it can bring back files you thought were gone. FORMAT usually checks to see if your disk and it’s existing format are good. It doesn’t really erase all the files unless you tell it to (through switches). UNFORMAT may/may not get your files back; it all depends. KEEP IT.

How can you possibly format the WRONG DISK?! “Oops, I formatted this write protected and clearly marked disk” What?! I deleted this one.

VFINTD.386 bytes=5295 ∞

Part of windows anti viral software. Use the others, and you’ll need this one.

VSAFE.COM bytes=62576 ∞

Anti Virus software. If you want to try to stop virus problems, use it. Keep it.

Ya, right.. “try to stop virus problems”. More like if you want to see the virus but not be able to do anything about it, then this is for you. Get something useful like the ThunderByte Antivirus TSR scanners and ditch this one.

WNTOOLS.GRP bytes=3741 ∞

Part of the windows toolbox

XCOPY.EXE bytes=15820 ∞

Hey, you don’t know what you’re missing. This little understood program copies files, including those in multiple subdirectories. It does everything that the internal command COPY can do – but more and faster. Check it out. Good switch support. Keep it.

It’s faster because it reads as much as it can, and then writes. This means that you can copy on/off of floppies a lot faster!

Outro ∞

Hey. I spent a lot of time compiling this list. All I ask is that the name “the brother-in-law” be left intact in this file. Thanks.

And I appreciate it. I spent a couple of afternoons going through it and making some useful comments, changing the formatting a little and correcting some spelling mistakes. =)

Footnotes

1. I don’t recall what that is [ ↩ ]
2. I don’t understand why this is here [ ↩ ]
3. This text was corrupt in my original. [ ↩ ]
4. I don’t know what that is [ ↩ ]
5. This corruption was in my source. [ ↩ ]