Creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT File

You can create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file using any command or program that lets you create a text-only file. If you have a word processing program that can save a file as a text-only file (sometimes called an ASCII text file), you can use that program to create your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

Here’s an example of an AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

PATH C:\; C:\DOSPROMPT $P

The first line tells MS-DOS to look for programs or batch files in the root directory and the DOS directory. This way you can run programs in those directories without having to specify pathnames in the commands.

The second line changes the MS-DOS command prompt so that it displays your current directory.

The MS-DOS COPY command provides an easy way to create an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Follow these steps:

1.If you are creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the working copy of your MS-DOS Startup disk, insert the diskette into drive A. if you are creating an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your hard disk, log onto the root

directory of your hard disk. (Type CD C : \ and press Enter.)

2.At the MS-DOS command prompt, type the following and press Enter:

COPY CON: d:\AUTOEXEC.BAT

where d: is the drive that is to contain the AUTOEXEC.BAT file you are creating.

3-44Using MS-DOS With Your Computer