Internal and External Commands in DOS
1. What are Commands in DOS?
Commands are instructions given to the DOS operating
system to perform specific tasks such as listing files,
copying files, deleting files, formatting disks, etc.
DOS commands are categorized based on where they
reside and how they are executed:
• Internal Commands
• External Commands
2. Internal Commands
Definition:
• Commands built into the COMMAND.COM file.
• Loaded into memory when the system boots.
• Always available for execution as long as DOS is
running.
• They do not require any separate file to be present
on disk.
Features:
• Small in size.
• Fast to execute.
• Used for basic file and directory management,
system control, etc.
Examples:
Command Purpose
DIR Displays list of files and directories
COPY Copies files
DEL Deletes files
CD / CHDIR Changes directory
MD / MKDIR Creates a new directory
RD Removes (deletes) a directory
CLS Clears the screen
DATE Displays/sets current date
TIME Displays/sets current time
VER Displays DOS version
VOL Displays volume label of disk
PROMPT Changes the command prompt appearance
REN Renames a file or directory
PATH Sets a path for executable files
3. External Commands
Definition:
• Commands that are NOT loaded into memory at
boot.
• Exist as separate executable files with extensions like
.COM, .EXE, or .BAT.
• Must be present on disk (mostly in the C:\DOS or
system directory) to run.
Features:
• Larger in size compared to internal commands.
• Provide advanced utilities (disk management, file
copying, diagnostics, etc.)
• Slower to execute (because DOS needs to find and
load the file).
Examples:
Command Purpose
FORMAT.COM Formats a diskette or hard disk
DISKCOPY.COM Copies complete disks
XCOPY.EXE Copies files and directories
CHKDSK.EXE Checks disk for errors
LABEL.EXE Creates, changes, or deletes volume label
FDISK.EXE Disk partitioning tool
Command Purpose
Deletes a directory and all
DELTREE.EXE
subdirectories/files
EDIT.COM Opens a text editor
Transfers system files to make disk
SYS.COM
bootable
TREE.COM Displays directory structure graphically
UNDELETE.EXE Recovers deleted files
4. Quick Comparison: Internal vs External Commands
Feature Internal Commands External Commands
Loaded at
Yes No
Boot
Reside in
Yes No
Memory
Stored in No (Part of Yes (.COM, .EXE, or
Files COMMAND.COM) .BAT files)
Slower (due to file
Speed Faster
loading)
FORMAT, CHKDSK,
Examples DIR, COPY, DEL, DATE
FDISK, XCOPY
5. Important Points
• Missing external command files (e.g., FORMAT.COM)
will cause "Bad command or file name" errors.
• Internal commands are available even in minimum
boot environments like bootable floppy disks.
• External commands need the correct path set or
must be executed from the right folder.
Bonus: Memory Usage Example
When you boot into DOS:
• COMMAND.COM loads internal commands into
conventional memory (~640 KB total).
• External commands are loaded only when you
execute them, and after use, the memory is freed.
Example Use Case
Suppose you want to:
Command
Task Command
Type
List files Internal DIR
Format a floppy External FORMAT A:
Command
Task Command
Type
Delete a folder with all DELTREE
External
contents FolderName
View current date Internal DATE
