Microsoft® Windows® XP Inside Out, 2nd Edition

Appendix B. Working with the Command Prompt

• Starting and Ending a Command Prompt Session

• Using Commands

• Using Environment Variables

• Customizing Command Prompt Windows

Microsoft Windows XP allows you to enter commands, run batch programs, and run applications by typing commands at the command prompt. If you're accustomed to performing administrative tasks at the command line, you don't need to change your ways in Windows XP. You can open multiple Command Prompt sessions, each session protected from any failures that might occur in other sessions.

Starting and Ending a Command Prompt Session

To get to the command prompt, do any of the following:

• Choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt.

• Choose Start, Run, and type cmd, with or without command-line ...