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Using an AUTOEXEC.BAT File
You may find that there are some commands you need to run
every time you turn on your computer.
To run a command or a series of commands automatically upon
startup, you can type the commands into a special file called
AUTOEXEC.BAT. When you load MS-DOS, it automatically
looks for this file. If there is an AUTOEXECBAT file in the
root directory, MS-DOS executes the commands in that file.
Here are some suggestions for tasks you can perform using an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
Ll
Modify the PATH command to include the directories
containing application programs you commonly use. This
reduces the number of times you need to change directories
or specify pathnames.
Add the command that starts your most commonly used
application program (such as a word processor or
spreadsheet program) so MS-DOS loads it automatically
when you turn on or reset the computer.
rd
Change the MS-DOS command prompt so it displays the
current directory--or your name, or anything else you want.
See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for instructions on using
the PATH command, the PROMPT command, and any other
commands you want to include in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
The SELECT program you used to install MS-DOS, created an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory of your hard disk.
SELECT adds commands to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file based
on your responses to questions. See your MS-DOS Installation
Guide for details.
Using MS-DOS With Your Computer
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