Using DEL, REN,
MOVE, and RD /S
Ch 6
1
Overview
Will continue to work with
internal commands that help
manage and manipulate files.
Ch 6
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Overview
Will focus on the following
commands:




DEL
REN
MOVE
RD /S
Ch 6
3
Overview
Why and how to back up
specific files, or an entire disk,
so as to not lose important
data will be discussed.
Ch 6
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
Keep only the files you
need on your disk.
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
 DEL command used to erase
unwanted files.
 ERASE command works the same
way DEL command works.
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
A file deleted at the command
line is not physically removed
from the disk.
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
 It is sometimes possible to recover a
file deleted at the command line.
 However, when DEL is used the
file/s are deleted.
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
File deleted from hard drive
using My Computer or
Windows Explorer is
recoverable.
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
Files not recoverable are those
deleted from:
 Removable disk/s
 Floppy disks
 Command prompt
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Eliminating Files with
the DEL Command
DEL command syntax:
DEL [/P] [/F] [/S] [/Q] [/A [[:]
attributes]] names
Names refers to [drive:] [path] filename
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Activity—Using the
DEL Command
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Function of DIR
 Why drive letter and path not included
 DEL does not confirm prior to deletion
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Deleting Multiple Files
DEL can be used to delete
multiple files.
Separate
(by spaces) files to be
deleted.
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Activity—Using DEL with
Multiple Parameters
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Using DIR
 Deleting multiple files with DEL
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Deleting Files on Other
Drives and Directories
The DEL command can be used
to eliminate files on other
drives and subdirectories.
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Deleting Files on Other
Drives and Directories
DEL command syntax:
DEL names
Names refers to designated drives,
subdirectories, and names of files you
wish to delete.
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Deleting Files on Other
Drives and Directories
Order and logic of syntax are
important when keying in
command.
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Deleting Files on Other
Drives and Directories
 Common error:
DEL GONE.FIL B:
 Should be:
DEL B:GONE.FIL
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Activity—Using the DEL
Command with Individual
Files
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Using proper syntax
 Use of second backslash
 Using COPY gives two identically
named files on different drives
 DIR - shows file is there
 DEL - deletes file
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Using Wildcards with the
DEL Command
To delete many files at one time
use wildcards with the DEL
command.
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Activity—Using the
DEL Command
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Use DIR prior to global erase
 Files deleted with DEL and wildcards
not recoverable
 Wildcards can be used when files are
in subdirectory
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The /P and /S Parameters
with the DEL Command
/P parameter with DEL
command verifies prior to
each file deletion.
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The /P and /S Parameters
with the DEL Command
The /S parameter traverses the
directory tree so files do not
need to be deleted individually
throughout disk structure.
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The /P and /S Parameters
with the DEL Command
Again, DEL command syntax:
DEL [/P] [/F] [/S] [/Q] [/A [[:]
attributes]] names
Names refers to [drive:] [path] filename
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Activity—Using /P and /S
with the DEL Command
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Use of /P parameter
 Use of /S parameter
 Use of DIR command
 Can use more than one parameter at a
time
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Changing File Names
Rename file because:
 File contents changed
 Want the name for another file
 File named incorrectly
 You think of a better name
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Changing File Names
COPY command:
 Create another file with same
contents but a different name
 End up with file and copy of file with
another name
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Changing File Names
RENAME command:
 Changes name of file - contents
remain the same
 End up with same file with a new
name
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Changing File Names
RENAME command has two
forms:
 RENAME
 REN
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Changing File Names
REN/RENAME syntax:
REN [drive:] [path]
[directoryname1 | filename1]
[directoryname2 | filename2]
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Changing File Names
Renaming files:
Two step process in My
Computer/Windows Explorer
One step process at command line
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Activity—Using the REN
Command to Rename Files
KEY CONCEPTS:
 When destination and *.* assumed
 REN command vs. COPY command
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Changing the Names
of Subdirectories
 Prior to Windows 95, REN
command only worked with files.
 Windows 95 REN command also
used to rename subdirectories.
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Changing the Names
of Subdirectories
Partial syntax for renaming
subdirectories:
REN [drive:] [path] [directoryname1]
[directoryname2]
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Activity—Using REN
Command to Rename
Subdirectories
KEY CONCEPTS:
Command executed if no error
message
Can rename subdirectories that are
within other subdirectories
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Using REN with
Wildcards
Multiple files on the same drive or
directory that have a common
element can be renamed using
REN command with wildcards.
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Activity—Using REN
with Wildcards
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Compare ???.NEW with *.NEW
 Renaming multiple files in same
directory with one command
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Using RENAME on Different
Drives & Directories
The REN command can be
used to rename any file on
any drive or directory.
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Using RENAME on Different
Drives & Directories
Compare:
REN OLDFILE.EXT NEWFILE.EXT
REN B:OLDFILE.EXT NEWFILE.EXT
 REN C:\JUNK\OLDFILE.EXT NEWFILE.EXT
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Using RENAME on Different
Drives & Directories
 COPY - end up with two identical
files in different locations.
 REN - changes name of an existing
file in a specific location.
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Activity—Using Rename
on Different Drives
KEY CONCEPTS:
 OS will not put a drive designator before
new file name in REN
 REN
 Changes names not file contents
 Does not move files
 DIR vs. TYPE commands
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Moving Files and
Renaming Directories
Review of commands:
 MOVE used to rename a directory
 REN/RENAME used to rename files
and subdirectories
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Moving Files and
Renaming Directories
MOVE command:
 Move group of files or subdirectories -
cannot change names
 Move individual file/subdirectory - can
change name of moved file or subdirectory
 Move files/directories from one directory
to another, from one drive to another
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Moving Files and
Renaming Directories
Syntax to move one of more files:
MOVE [/Y | /-Y] [drive:] [path]
filename1 [,…] destination
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Moving Files and
Renaming Directories
Syntax to rename a directory:
MOVE [/y | /-y] [drive:] [path]
dirname1 dirname2
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Activity—Moving Files &
Renaming Directories
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Differences between syntax of MOVE and
REN
 When do you use MOVE? REN?
 Move file in same drive/directory eliminates first file and replaces contents of
second file with contents of first file
Ch 6
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Activity—Moving Files &
Renaming Directories
KEY CONCEPTS:
 MOVE
 Used instead of COPY, REN, DEL
 Can act like COPY
 Cannot change file names when used
with wildcards
 Cannot concatenate files
 Can move entire subdirectory structure
along with filesCh with
one command 47
6
RD /S Revisited
Two ways to remove a directory:
 RD (two-step process)
 RD /S (one-step process)
Ch 6
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Activity: Using RD
and RD /S
KEY CONCEPTS:
 Using RD command
 Using RD /S command
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Backing Up Your DATA
Disk
 Always back up all data files.
 Backing up application program
disks can be tricky, especially copyprotected disks
Ch 6
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Backing Up Your
DATA Disk
Special operating commands
and procedures must be used
to back up a hard disk.
Ch 6
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Backing Up Your
DATA Disk
Three ways to back up data files:
 DISKCOPY
 COPY
 XCOPY
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Backing Up Your
DATA Disk
Never use the MOVE
command for backup
purposes.
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Backing Up Your
DATA Disk
Develop a regular backup routine.
 Can use “tape backup”.
 Use writable CD if available
Message is BACK UP DATA FILES
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Backing Up Your
DATA Disk
Application programs can
usually be reinstalled from
original disks.
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Activity—Backing Up with
the DISKCOPY Command
KEY CONCEPTS:
 How to not accidentally copy hard
drive
 Use DISKCOPY - get 2 copies of
DATA disk
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Activity—Backing Up with
the DISKCOPY Command
 Backup disk
 Keep current
 Have two or more
 Check backup disk regularly
 Some organizations need to recreate
records
 Need archival backup
 Need transaction history
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Backing Up Files with the
COPY Command
DISKCOPY:
 Backs up entire floppy disk
 Formats new disk
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Backing Up Files with the
COPY Command
COPY:
 Used to backup specific files
 Copy files from one floppy to another
 Does not format new disk
 Must not be used to copy all files from
hard disk to floppy
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Backing Up Files with the
COPY Command
Do regular backups:
 Back up files that have changed or
are new
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