How to use the command 'doskey' (with examples)

The doskey utility is a command-line tool used predominantly in Windows environments. It allows you to manage macros and command-line commands efficiently, offering the flexibility to create custom command shortcuts, manage command history, and facilitate automation. Whether you’re a system administrator, developer, or an everyday computer user, doskey can prove invaluable in streamlining your command-line tasks. Below, we’ve outlined various use cases for doskey to help you harness its full potential.

Use case 1: List available macros

Code:

doskey /macros

Motivation: Listing all available macros can provide a quick overview of the shortcuts and commands you have defined. This is particularly useful when you manage a large number of macros and want to ensure you are using the correct ones without having to recall each from memory.

Explanation:

• /macros: This argument tells doskey to output a list of all the macros that are currently available in your command-line session.

Example output:

mycmd=echo Hello, World!
listfiles=dir /B

Use case 2: Create a new macro

Code:

doskey greet = "echo Hello, User!"

Motivation: Creating a new macro allows you to assign a custom shortcut to frequently used commands, reducing the effort to type long commands repeatedly. In this example, a common greeting is shortened to a simple keyword, which can be executed to display a message promptly.

Explanation:

• greet: This is the name of the macro being created. It acts as a shortcut command.
• "echo Hello, User!": This is the actual command that will be executed when the macro is called.

Example output: Executing greet on the command-line returns:

Hello, User!

Use case 3: Create a new macro for a specific executable

Code:

doskey /exename=cmd.exe greet = "echo Hello, Windows!"

Motivation: By associating a macro with a specific executable, you ensure that the macro is only available within instances of that executable. This is advantageous for creating environment-specific shortcuts and minimizing command conflicts across different command-line tools.

Explanation:

• /exename=cmd.exe: This argument defines the executable to which the macro will be tied.
• greet: The macro’s name within this executable’s context.
• "echo Hello, Windows!": The command to execute when the macro is used.

Example output: Executing greet within a specific cmd.exe session produces:

Hello, Windows!

Use case 4: Remove a macro

Code:

doskey greet =

Motivation: Over time, certain macros may become obsolete or need to be replaced. Removing a macro prevents clutter and possible command conflicts, maintaining a tidy and efficient macro environment.

Explanation:

• greet =: By following the macro name with an equals sign and no command, you instruct doskey to remove this macro from memory.

Example output: Attempting to run greet shows:

'greet' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Use case 5: Display all commands that are stored in memory

Code:

doskey /history

Motivation: Viewing your command history can aid in understanding what commands have been executed, assisting in retracing your steps or troubleshooting. This feature is analogous to a “recent files” list in graphical applications.

Explanation:

• /history: This argument triggers the display of all stored command-line history for the current session, allowing you to review past commands.

Example output:

dir
cd MyDocuments
doskey /macros

Use case 6: Save macros to a file for portability

Code:

doskey /macros > C:\Users\YourUsername\macinit_file.txt

Motivation: Saving macros to a file is a crucial step for portability and backup. By doing so, you can easily transfer your customized macros between different systems or restore them after reinstallation.

Explanation:

• /macros: Specifies that all current macros should be output.
• > C:\Users\YourUsername\macinit_file.txt: Redirects the output to a specified file, allowing you to save the macros persistently.

Example output: The contents of macinit_file.txt might include lines like:

greet=echo Hello, User!
listfiles=dir /B

Use case 7: Load macros from a file

Code:

doskey /macrofile=C:\Users\YourUsername\macinit_file.txt

Motivation: Loading macros from a file restores your customized command shortcuts in a new command-line environment. This is exceedingly useful if you’ve transported your macro file to a different machine or reinitialized your environment.

Explanation:

• /macrofile=C:\Users\YourUsername\macinit_file.txt: This parameter tells doskey to load macros from the specified initialization file, repopulating your environment with your saved custom macros.

Example output: After running this command, macros like greet and listfiles become immediately available again.

Conclusion:

The doskey command is a powerful tool for managing macros and enhancing productivity in Windows command-line interfaces. By utilizing the examples above, users can effectively create, manage, and transfer command macros, thus optimizing their workflow and ensuring efficiency across different command-line sessions and environments.