DOSKEY Saves Typing

DOSKEY is a utility that is constantly running in the background of the command prompt and can be very valuable-if you know how to use it. Every time you enter a command in a command prompt session, it is recorded by DOSKEY and it can be recalled.

As an example, imagine you're testing connectivity with a server using the following ping command:

You could execute the command and then realize the NIC wasn't configured correctly, or the host cache needed to be cleared with IPConfig /FlushDNS, or something else needed to be done. After resolving the issue, you want to execute the command again. Instead of typing it in from scratch, simply use the up arrow to recall it, press Enter, and you've executed it again (without typing it again).

The up arrow can be used to retrieve any previous command that you've entered in this session (up to the limit of the buffer, which is rather large). This can be valuable when you're entering very long commands or even short commands if you use the hunt-and-peck method of typing.

Typos are also common at the command line. However, you don't have to retype the entire command. You can use the up arrow instead to recall the command and then use the left and right arrows to position the cursor where you want to modify the text. Make your corrections, press Enter, and the corrected command executes.

You can also use the F7 key to display a pop-up window that shows a history window. It includes all of the commands you've entered in the current session. You can then use the up or down arrow to select the desired command.

DOSKEY is a command-prompt utility itself, and it includes some commands you can use. For example, if you want to view all the commands that have been entered in the current session, enter DOSKEY/History.

By default, the system includes a buffer size of 50 commands. If you need more, you can modify the buffer size. For example, the following command changes the buffer to 99: