Directory Utilities for DOS [page 2 of 2]

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The choice of a directory lister (or several) is dictated by utility and frequently, subjective taste. While DIR serves the masses admirably, others prefer a more flexible lister that can assume additional roles (e.g., advanced file finding, archive content listing). Others desire listers that are small, fast, and simple. I've given most attention below to the option-rich listers while unfairly neglecting the smaller programs.

Win9x users: Most of the dir listers here don't support Win9x LFN's. Three that do are: OneDIR; NewDir; and WDIR.


WIN9x LFN compatible directory listers...


NewDIR- Colorized directory lister with configuration program; Win9x LFN support.

unrated [added 1-26-99]

NDIR supports Win9x long file names (LFN) and includes a user-friendly configuration program which permits:

  1. setting of default switch combinations.
  2. customization of color-coding of file types based on extensions.

Other features:

Notes: EXE size 48K. Before using the configuration program rename ndir186.exe to ndir.exe.

Author: Daniel D. Miller (1997); Suggested by William Cline.

download ndir186.zip (50K)


WDIR - DIR clone with color coding and archive/ image description capabilities.

* * * *

[Wersting] D[ir], (aka, "WDIR," aka "D") is a DIR clone with some unique capabilities. Like some other dir listers, WDIR can color-code file types. In addition, archive contents (zip, arj, rar, lzh.) can be displayed, as can image resolutions/ subformats (jpg, bmp, tga, gif, pcx, fli) and WAV file stats. A nice batch tool for quickly obtaining this information. Switch combinations can be saved to a configuration file. This directory lister does handle WIN95 long file names (LFN). Author: Magnus Bäck, Germany. (1997)

Sample output (default settings, sans color):

AVSCAN EXE 523,264 12-01-98 5:39p

The option list is too long to list; here's a concise summary:

Note: Has the Borland Runtime 200 error bug. If you have a high mhz PC, patch d.exe using bp7pat or a similar tool to avoid the problem.

download wdir126.zip (38K)


OneDIR -[ 1Dir ] Option-rich Win9x compatible directory lister.

unrated [added 02-12-00]

This is a big (100K) directory lister but it offers a long option list and great Win9x compatibility. Brief list of features:

Notes: OneDir is now freeware although the docs haven't been modified as of 2-00 to reflect this. From the home page: "OneDIR Pro is now FREEWARE!...." Author: Richard Proft (2000). OneDIR Home Page. Suggested by Pio Del Real.

You should download two files:

  1. 1DIR16.EXE (102K): The latest Y2K compliant 1DIR.EXE binary (dated 1-00) which hasn't yet been placed in the full distribution archive.
  2. 1DIRCURR.ZIP (87K): distribution archive with old 1DIR.EXE, config tool, and docs.

(Also available is a 32-bit Win console *beta*, compatible with both Win9x and Win NT: 1DIRBETA.ZIP (153K)


LDIR- DIR command supports Win9x long file names (LFN) under plain DOS (for Win9x systems).

See extended description.


DIRECTORY LISTERS FOR DOS (8+3 filenames only)


MDIR- Enhanced MS-DOS 5(+) DIR clone.

unrated [added 02-05-00]

"MDIR is a freeware directory-listing utility. It is very similar in operation to the DIR command in MS-DOS 5 and later. This command is therefore not terribly useful under recent versions of MS-DOS. It's intended for use with DR DOS, FreeDOS, or older versions of MS-DOS" [no Win9x LFN support]. Notes: Good documentation includes list of differences from MS-DOS DIR, and presents methods of substituting MDIR for DIR.
Display style:  /N  Normal    /W  Wide    /B  Bare    /V  Verbose
/S          Search into most subdirectories (not hidden or system)
/R          Recurse into all subdirectories (even hidden or system)
/A          find All matching items, even system and hidden
/A:[r][-x]  Attribute masks; r required, x excluded:  A D S H or R
/O[:flags]  sort into Order; flags may include N E G S D or P
/P[:n]      Pause after each screenful, or every n lines
/L[:n]      Letter case mode; n is 0 1 2 or 3
/K:n        counting mode:  0 1 or 2

These switches affect only the /N or /V display:
/4    show four-digit years         /Y    show days of the week
/E    show seconds in times         /Z    show attributes
/12   12-hour time format           /24   24-hour time format
/F:n  date Format; n is U E or J    /D    show DR-DOS password level
/U    show space Used by files
Author: Charles Dye (1999). Home Page.

download mdir.zip (15K)


ADir - Hybrid DIR clone and file identifier.

unrated [added 10-03-99]

This DIR-like lister is really a hybrid lister and file identifier. Unlike most dedicated file identifiers, this tool implements the familiar DIR switches (/B- bare format, /Ox- sort, /P- pause, /S- recurse, /A- filter by attributes, /W- wide format...). A bit slow to display because it reads file signatures.

Features:

Other comments: No Win9x LFN support. Author: Thomas Mainka (1996).

download adir058d.zip (146K)


XDIR- Color coded directory lister with multi-language support.

unrated [added 8-16-98]

This basic 41K directory lister is distinguished by built-in multi-language support (ENG, GER, SWE) and support of other languages using external language files. Color-coding is based on pre-defined file types and file attributes. Sort list options exist for name, time, and size but not extensions. Useful wide display and 4 column output options. Package also includes OS/2 version and sources. No Win9x LFN support. May not restore default prompt colors on exit.

Sample default output, sans color:

@OLDBOOT.UI      1024  10-12-97  11:56a read-only hidden system
USAGE: XDIR [drive:][path] [/[4[F]][A][H][N|S|T][P][X][O|R|D]][W]
                    [;[A][D][V][H][S][R]]
XDIR /L[R]
  /4  Shows four files per line           /F  Dates when in wide format
  /A  Attributes as letter abbreviations  /H  The attributes' hexadecimal code
  /N  Sorts files by name                 /S  Sorts files by size
  /T  Sorts files by time                 /P  Pauses after each page
  /X  EXCLUDES hidden and system files    /R  Allows redirection
  /D  Does not show files in color        /O  Only shows file name in color
  /E  Shows only executables              /L  Shows license information
  /W  Files in wide format
  ;A  Files with archive attribute        ;D  Directories
  ;V  Volume labels                       ;S  System files
  ;H  Hidden files                        ;R  Read-only files
Language selection: Set environment variable XDIRLANG to SWE, ENG, GER or EXT

Author: Peter Karlsson (1997). Suggested by Robert Bull.

download xdir140.rar (108K, requires RAR unpacker)


DL- Scrolling directory lister. Unix ls-like output.

* * * *

There are many DIR replacements floating around the universe. What makes this directory viewer special? Something quite simple. Output is paged to the screen and you can scroll up or down to view a directory listing. Combined with many display options (which can be saved to a config file, no less) this program falls short because it won't allow list sorting by ext/date/size. Scrolling commands are similar to Unix LESS. Default output is multi-column filename-only. No Win9x LFN support.

Usage: dl [-u?hbkdfyYtp12345mvnNlLjrSDi a[h|s|l] ] [path/file/?/*]
-u.... defeat sort................ -h.. help (this is help now)
-b.... list file size in bytes.... -k..... list file size in Kbytes
-d.... list directories only...... -y..... list file creation date
-f.... list files only............ -t..... list file creation time
-p.... defeat paging.............. -1-5... list in <= n columns
-m.... defeat '/' '.' '*' markers. -v..... verbose (-bytnl)
-j.... defeat justification....... -n..... echo # of files/total bytes
-ah... list hidden files/dirs..... -N..... echo files/bytes only
-as... list system + hidden....... -l..... echo volume label
-al... list all attribs........... -L..... volume label only
-r.... recurse one level, from current working directory only
-S.... save switches as defaults -D: delete defaults

download dl100.zip (27K)


IMD- Directory lister also displays image properties and 4DOS descriptions.

* * [added 6-97; rev. 3-5-98]

IMD is a virtually option-less directory lister but it can display 4DOS descriptions, image properties, and identify archives. Because it reads signatures of files, it slowly "grinds" through a directory during listing. No Win9x LFN support. Author D.D Anderson (1996).

Features:

Sample output:

CAVE.GIF       214765  07-26-97  20:24 My 4DOS description of CAVE.GIF
                                       GIF87a [ 640  480  256 ]
ESCHER.PCX     208910  07-26-97  20:24 PCX    [ 469  424  256 ]

download imd111.zip (24K)


LSD- Directory lister, file finder, and disk & system information tool.

* * * * * (added 1997 updated 05-10-99)

From the documentation: "LSD...is primarily a directory lister with built-in deletion capability for both files and directories. It incorporates a variety of switches for filtering and methods of searching for matches, thus giving it enhanced file finding capabilities. It also allows for various methods of displaying directory information. For the more technical minded it offers information on the physical disk properties, hardware, and the raw data within the disk sectors. The program's overall design purpose is provide a tool to simplify and solve the type's of problems encountered in PC repair and disk maintenance." Author: Wayne Chestnut (1999), Home Page.

Interesting features

Notes: No Win9x LFN/ Fat32 support.

05-10-99: New in v2.00 (4-99): Many new and revised functions- see docs.

download lsd_wc02.zip (155K)


DDR- Versatile directory lister also finds files in archives.

* * * *

DDR is a well designed directory lister that runs as a full screen program (default) but can optionally display to standard output (/R switch). DDR also functions as a file viewer and file finder. A particular strength of DDR is its ability to list or find files in a variety of archive types. No Win9x LFN support. Author: Oren Souroujon (1996).

Features:

Switches:

/a- shows Actual space occupied by files.
/b- shows files in Bare format.
/c- omits the Commas in file sizes.
/d- Detailed display containing attributes and dates.
/e- sorts files by their Extension.
/f- Finds files in the specified path and its subdirs.
/g- Goes to the last directory shown on exit.
/h- shows Hebrew file names in Hebrew characters.
/k- shows the file sizes in Kilobytes instead of bytes.
/m- /f but scans from the root of Multiple drives.
/p- Pushes directory files to the end of the list.
/q- Quiet mode: Makes no sound effects.
/r- Reverses the sort direction.
/s- scans Subdirectories for their sizes.
/t- enables Text mode change during program run.
/u- shows file names in Uppercase letters.
/v- enables snow checking for old Video adapters.
/w- sWaps the day and month of a detailed display's date.
/x- eXcludes only files matching the specified wildcards.
/z- sorts files by their siZe.
/A- /f but browses through many kinds of Archive files.
/D- sorts files by their modification Dates.
/E- shows only Executable files (Bat, Com, Exe).
/F- Forces current time/date display.
/H- ignores Hidden and System files and subdirectories.
/M- scans Multiple drives, including drives A: and B:.
/P- sorts files by their Path.
/R- allows DOS I/O Redirection.

download dlxdr280.zip (66K, v 2.80)


DIRECTORY USAGE - TREE UTILS


NewDIR- Colorized directory lister with direcrory tree display option (-d); Win9x LFN compatible.

With option to display non-color, ASCII-only tree. See extended description.


pdTree- Public domain TREE, Win9x LFN compatible.

unrated [added 02-12-01]

Quick notes:

  syntax: TREE [drive:][path] [/F] [/A]

   /F   Display the names of the files in each directory.
   /A   Use ASCII instead of extended characters.

Distributions found at home page include a 16 bit TREE for FreeDOS project, and a dual win32/DOS executable which is linked to below. Source available at home page.

Author: Kenneth J. Davis. (2001) Home Page.

download pdTreev101b.zip (32K)


STREE- Enhanced TREE replacement.

* * * * * [added 4-17-98]

(note: not appropriate for Win9x/ big FAT32 drives...)

STREE calculates and displays branch sizes for directories, including wasted space. Allocation of disk space can be displayed in bytes or as percentages (/Y). STREE is particularly useful because it can accept a filespec and restrict analysis to certain file types (e.g., where, and how much space is allocated to / wasted by *.txt files.). Some file finders can do the same, but STREE provides a more detailed summary. Unlike SM, STREE doesn't use graphical characters in its output. External documentation sparse. English and German language versions included.

Shareware Status: "This program is shareware and as such not free for use in a business, commercial, government or institutional environment. Registration for personal use is not mandatory but recommended." Author: Mathias Block, Germany (1994).

Usage: STREE [/Help] [+|-AHRS] [d:][path][filename[.ext] [...]] [/options]
+|-AHRS......Files can be selected for searching through attributes.
d:...........Drive to search
path.........Directory to start searching (standard: root directory)
filename.ext.File to search for (wildcards allowed)
.............When no file is specified, *.* is assumed.
.............Multiple file specifications (same path) allowed
/A......Show sizes of all branches
/B......Sort by size of the branches
/C......File integrity check for STREE.EXE
/D......Sort by size of the directories
/E......Show only first level subdirectories
/F......List file length, standard: cluster size
/G......Don't add the size used by the directory files themselves
/H......Show these help pages
/I......Show only general information
/K......Output in lower-case letters
/L......Don't show directories without matching files
/M......More-mode: stop after first page, then contollable
/N......Show only sizes of the directories, not of branches
/O......When called wihout a path specified use current path
/P......Page-mode: stop output after every page
/Q......Quiet mode: suppress unnecessary information
/R......Reverse sort order
/S......Show slack bytes (= cluster size - file length)
/T......Show only sizes of the branches, not of directories
/U......Don't show origin path
/V......Suppress usage of the environment variable "STREE"
/X......Don't show list header and general information
/Y......Show the quota of disk space used instead of number of files
/(x,y)......Screen size to use for directory name output (width) and
............for options /M, /P. Disables auto-detection.
............x: maximum number of columns for directory name output
............y: number of lines before stopping output in /M and /P modes
............x and y are decimal numbers, 0 for unlimited, no number for
............standard adjustments / auto-detection values
/!......Ignore all non-fatal error messages

download stree.arj (38K, requires an ARJ unpacker)


Space Map- Enhanced TREE replacement.

* * * * * [added 3-4-98]

This small (6K) program is superficially similar to the DOS TREE command- but it provides additional valuable information about disk space usage. SM excels at calculating branch sizes- e.g., how many total bytes are allocated to a directory alone and including its subdirectories. A quick and easy means of determining exactly where on the directory tree significant chunks of disk space are being allocated. Useful sorting options. Seems to read big drives ok, but no LFN support.

USAGE: SM [directory-spec] [options]
Valid options:
/F: display (F)iles in each directory
/I[s|l|a|t|d|f|n]: (I)nclude file information:
.... s: file (S)ize
.... l: a(L)located size
.... a: (A)ttributes
.... t: creation/modification (T)ime
.... d: creation/modification (D)ate
.... f: count of (F)iles
.... n: cou(N)t of directories
/X[s|l|a|t|d|f|n]: e(X)clude file information
/Ss|a|d|n[+|-]: Sort report:
.... s: sort on accumulated file (S)ize
.... a: sort on accumulated (A)llocation
.... d: sort on creation/modification (D)ate/time
.... n: sort on file (N)ame
.... +: Perform ascending sort
.... -: Perform descending sort
/C[+|-]: Enable/disable ANSI color display
/Dnn: Display only nn levels of directory depth
/P: Pause for key after each display page

Author: Ben Smith. (1992). Suggestion and tips by Lars-Erik Sandberg; originally featured on Yves Bellefeuille's freeware list.

download sm200.zip (14K)


Dirtotal- Document drive(s).

* * * * [updated 07-05-99]

A useful tool for documenting single or multiple drives. Dirtotal sums up the directory structure of your drive(s) and writes the results to nicely formatted report file- it displays no listing on screen. A default report includes a list of all directories, files, and their corresponding sizes, dates and attributes. Filtering, exclusion, and sorting by various criteria are supported. Some high-end file managers can print similar disk summaries, but this util is free. The executable is rather large (190K) and Win9x long file names (LFN) are not supported. Author: Bruce Guthrie (1999).

Other nice features:

11-23-99: v911 released 11-99. See Wayne Software

Get dirto911.zip (150K) from download page.


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