Directory (contents) synchronizing: See File Utils – 1.

 Also see: Meyer File/Directory Utilities (MFD).

 Also see LCD, one of the LFN Tools.

ACD (Another change directory) — Quickly change to any directory; Win9x ready.

* * * * *

[added 1995, updated 1999-09-19]

No one should be without this utility – or one of its several look-alikes. ACD lets you change to any directory with one short command. ACD pops up a "quick pick" list of possible matches if you type a partial / inexact directory name or path. ACD changes to hidden directories as well – one reason I prefer it over some alternatives. Create / delete / rename directory capability with auto-updating of directory tree database. Network and substituted drives support. Because of its rich option suite, Win9x support, and high degree of configurability, ACD remains one of the most popular DOS add-ons around. Includes Pascal source.

Author: Arjen Merckens, Netherlands (1999).

Download acd305.zip (78K).

ACD page.

WCD (Wherever Change Directory) — Excellent multi-platform directory changer.

* * * * *

[added 1997-12-??, updated 2006-03-14]

WCD is another smartly designed directory changer which should appeal to both DOS and Unix users. WCD supports enhanced wildcard and regular expression searches and allows aliasing and banning of directories. WCD presents the user with a list of possible matches from which the user makes a choice. Source available. Released under GNU General Public License.

Wcd has three different interfaces to choose from a list of matches...The first interface uses plain stdout. A numbered list is printed in the terminal. The user has to choose from the list by typing a number followed by Enter. This interface does not provide scroll back functionality...The second interface [conio]...provides a build-in scroll back capability...This interface is meant for DOS systems...The third interface is build with the curses library. It is similar to the conio interface with additional sideways scrolling. The curses version of wcd has also an additional 'graphical' interface. It lets the user select a directory via a full screen interactive directory browser. It has a Vi(m) like navigation and search method.

wcd [drive:][dir] [-h] [-q] [-Q] [-b] [-l] [-c] [-e[e]] [-E <path>]
[-s] [-S <path>] [-a[a]] [-A <path>] [-u <username>] [-f <treefile>]
[-n <path>] [-i] [-d <drive>] [-[m|M|r|rmtree] <dir>] [-t]
[-v] [-g[d]] [-N] [-o] [-j] [-G <path>] [-z #] [-[#]] [+[#]] [=] [-w]
[-x <path>] [-xf <file>] [-k]

dir (partial) name of directory to change to.
    Wildcards *, ? and [SET] are supported!
-h  show this Help                 -m  Make <dir>, add to treefile
-q  unQuiet operation              -M  Make <dir>, add to extra treefile
-Q  Quieter operation              -r  Remove <dir>, (-rmtree recursive)
-u  use User's treefile (+u add)   -c  direct CD mode
-f  use extra treeFile (+f add)    -l  aLias current dir
-n  use relative treefile (+n add) -b  Ban current path
-s  (re)Scan disk from $HOME       -v  print Version info
-S  Scan disk from <path> (+S rel) -L  print software license
-a  Add current path to treedata   -e  add current path to Extra treedata
-A  Add tree from <path>           -E  add tree from <path> to Extra treedata
-   Push dir (# times)             -i  Ignore case (+i regard case)
+   Pop dir (# times)              -d  set <Drive> for stack & go files (DOS)
=   Show stack                     -z  set max stack siZe
-w  Wild matching only             -N  use Numbers
-o  use stdOut                     -g  Graphics  -gd  dump tree
-j  Just go mode                   -G  set path Go-script  -GN  No Go-script
-x  eXclude path during disk scan  -k  Keep paths
-xf eXclude paths from File

Author: Erwin Waterlander, Netherlands (2005).

2005-12-01: v3.2.0, for 16-bit DOS (three variants), 32-bit DOS (three variants, with Win9x LFN support). 32-bit packages are available for DOS bash, WinNT/2000/XP console, Cygwin bash and zsh, Linux, AIX, BSD, HP-UX, SunOS, BeOS, Mac OS/X.

2006-01-04: v3.2.1 beta5. EXEs and source available for DOS, Windows, Cygwin. Only source is availble for Unix.

Go to Erwin Waterlander's home page to get WCD for all platforms, manuals, and more progs.

CCD (Coig Change Directory) — Enhanced directory changer and directory tool.

* * * 1/2

[updated 2001-01-18]

CCD represents an interesting, and perhaps for some, a more user friendly alternative to ACD. It includes some additional features (e.g., file listing, create directory descriptions). Like ACD, CCD pops up a graphical directory tree when run without a directory name / substring parameter. You can then enter a substring to jump to a directory or you can find a directory by scrolling through the tree. Unlike ACD, the full screen interface incorporates pulldown menus which allow you to perform actions on directories, view file / executable lists, display disk statistics, and rescan directories. Executables can also be launched from within CCD. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2.

• Win95 compatible, LFN support, CD-ROM / network drive support.
• Easy directory tree editing. Create, hide, delete, prune, move directories.
• Partial Rescan. A specified directory can be rescanned, so it is not necessary to rescan a whole drive.
• Descriptions. 4DOS file and directory descriptions are supported, as well as FILES.BBS and FILE_ID.DIZ files. Ability to create descript.ion files.
• Easy configuration.
• English and Spanish language support.
• Executable sizes = 8K + 121K

Author: Jose Maria Coig-O'Donnell Cavalle, Spain (2001).

2001-01-18: v0.803a.

Download ccd0803a.zip (70K).

CDX — Small, enhanced CHDIR doesn't use data file.

* * * 1/2

[updated 2006-03-14]

This utility doesn't have the bells and whistles of larger CD replacements but some will certainly prefer its 7K size and lower memory requirements. Doesn't use a tree-data file and consequently is slower because it has to read directories during each run.

Note the /F switch: find a file and change to its directory in one easy step. I don't think ACD can do that.

USAGE: CDX [/B] [/+] [/F file] [d:]p1 p2 .. pn
/B....... change to first qualifying directory
/+....... include floppies in * or - search
/F file.. find directory containing file
d........ are the drives to search
............. *: searches all drives
.............-ddd: searches all drives except ddd
............. ddd: searches only drives ddd
p1..pn... are the names of directories to search

Authors: Michael Holmes and Bob Flanders, for PC Magazine (1991). Suggested by Robert Bull.

1991-03-15: v1.0.

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.

Also see NDIR, with 16- and 32-bit versions in one package.

MaxDIR — Text mode graphical, color directory lister.

* * * *

[added 2004-08-19, updated 2005-03-11]

This is a case where a picture or two will explain almost everything: Screenshot 1  |  Screenshot 2.

Command line options:
/e		Sort Files by Extension. (Default)
/f		Sort Files by Filename.
/t		Sort Files by Date/Time.
/s		Sort Files by Size.
/n		Disable Sorting.
/w		Show Files Ordered Up-Down. (Default)
/l		Show Files Ordered Left-to-Right.
/a		Show Hidden/System files.
/d		Show Directories ONLY.
/#		Number of Columns (1,2,4,6) (Default: 4)
/c		No Color (Output can Redirect)
/j		Show Colors in ANSI format (Output can Redirect)
/u		Show Files in ALL-Uppercase.
/v		Disable Show Available Drives.
/p		Disable Pause at full screen.
/o		Use BIOS Video Addressing.
/i		Include DIR clusters in 'Bytes Consumed'.
/x		Show eXtra Drive Information.
/b		Show MaxDIR Location, Build ID, and DOS Version Info.
/z		Disable custom configuration. (Use Default Settings.)
/zfilename		Use custom configuration CFG file. (Don't add .CFG)

MaxDIR runs under any 16- or 32-bit DOS or emulation, and on Netware, Windows and LANtastic networks. Minimum working resources: 80386-SX16, 128K RAM, DOS 3.0, any drive (HD or removable). Better: 512K RAM, DOS 5.0.

MaxDIR is not able to show drive Size and actual bytes Consumed on drives that are not either FAT12 or FAT16...MaxDIR will work on Windows 95/98/NT/2K, but their DOS emulators report incorrect Sector and Cluster information to keep DOS programs running correctly on larger hard drives..., thus the Bytes Consumed and total drive sizes will be incorrect. All other information will be correct, and MaxDIR will run as it was intended.

...MaxDIR will correctly report filesizes and total bytes used, but may be in error showing consumption and total disc size on some CD-Roms. If/when MaxDIR detects an error in those, it will print [CDROM?] preceding the percentage-full.

Author:Michael S. Hooper / C-Shore (2003).

2005-01-23: v2.29.

Download mxdir229.zip (52K).

MaxDIR page

MDIR — Enhanced MS-DOS 5+ DIR clone.

unrated

[added 2000-02-05, updated 2002-07-01]

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.

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 / Freeware, FreeDOS and 4DOS-related stuff (2001).

2001-08-11: v1.05b.

Download mdir.zip (15K).

More in these pages from Charles Dye.

Advanced Directory (ADir) — Hybrid DIR clone and file identifier.

unrated

[added 1999-10-03]

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.

• Identifies variety of image and sound formats (also displays basic properties)
• Identifies some popular archives (but shows only summary archive info).
• Provides some info on executables (e.g., program name), and a few other file types.
• Able to ouput a listing in DESCRIPT.ION or FILES.BBS formats, or an "extra wide" format.
• Plain, or customizable color coded output (req. ANSI.SYS).
• Program & docs in English, German, Swedish.
• Pascal source included.

Author: Thomas Mainka, Germany (1996).

1996-03-11: v0.58d.

Download adir058d.zip (144K).

For lots more info, and screenshot, go to the Advanced Directory page at Softwolves Software.

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

unrated

[added 1998-08-16, updated 2005-09-24]

This basic 41K directory lister is distinguished by built-in multi-language support (English, German, Swedish) 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. Might not restore default prompt colors on exit. Package also includes OS/2 version and sources. Release under GNU General Public License.

@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 / Softwolves Software, Sweden (1997). Suggested by Robert Bull.

1997-09-08: v1.40.

Download xdir140.rar (108K).

For more info, and other software for DOS, Win16, Win32, OS/2, & Linux, go to:
Peter Karlsson, Svenska — Norsk — English
Softwolves Software, Svenska — English.

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

* * * *

[updated 2004-06-27]

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.

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

Author: John A. McNamara / giant snail software, inc. (1996).

1996-03-25: v1.0.

Download dl100.zip (28K).

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

* *

[added 6-97; rev. 1998-03-05]

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.

• Lists 4DOS descriptions if present (with option to defeat wrapping)
• Lists properties of GIF 87/89, JPEG/JFIF, PCX, PING and Win BMP image files. Progressive JPEG format not read correctly?
• Identifies following archives: ACB (not reliably), AIN, ARJ, CODEC, HA, HAP, HPACK, HYPER, JRC, LARC, LIM, LZH, PAK, PKARC, PKPAK, ARCA, ZIP, PUT, Quantum, RAR, SAR, SQZ, UC2, YAC, ZOO.

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 ]

Author David Daniel Anderson / Reign Ware (1996).

1996-12-18: v1.11.

Download imd111.zip (24K).

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

* * * * *

[added 1997, updated 2005-04-20]

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.

• Good file finding functions – apply size, date, and time filters (incl "greater/ less than" options) , attribute, filename characters, and other filters. Filter directories, (volume) labels, files, executables, operating system files, raw text files, formatted text files. Options to negate filters.
• Easy to use disk sector viewer (safe – no editing allowed); can search for strings on disk, can output sectors to file, view and translate information from boot sector.
• Search files for text function.
• Built-in key scan code tester.
• In-program command line editor (return to program when operation completes, reload last command line)
• Can calculate file checksums
• Can use configuration file.
• Much more... a useful, compact carry-with tool for those involved with PC repair/ analysis.

Author: Wayne Chestnut (1999).

1999-04-17: v2.00.

Download lsd_wc02.zip (150K).

Deluxe Dir (DDIR) — Versatile directory lister also finds files in archives.

* * * *

[updated 2005-03-12]

DDIR is a well designed directory lister that runs as a full screen program (default) but can optionally display to standard output (/R switch). DDIR also functions as a file viewer and file finder. A particular strength of DDIR is its ability to list or find files in a variety of archive types.

• Many display and sorting options. Includes bare display and other options to facilitate batch operations.
• Color coding of file types.
• Interactive detailed display option allows browsing through subdirectories, file viewing, archive file listing, and display of detailed drive / directory summary information. Viewer supports Hebrew characters.
• File-finding features:
  • Enhanced wildcards.
  • List files in following archives : [ARC] [ARJ] [DWC] [HAP] [HYP] [ICE] [LBR] [LHA] [LZH] [LZS] [PAK] [PKA] [RAR] [SQZ] [ZIP] [ZOO].
  • Ability to scan multiple drives.
• Color customization, screen-saver, save settings to ini-file, good documentation and help screens.

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.

Author: Oren Souroujon, Israel (1999).

1999-03-13: v2.81.

Download dlxdr281.zip (61K).

EXE — Enhanced full screen directory lister with file viewer.

* * * *

[updated 2006-08-21]

EXE is a small (20K) directory lister and browser with navigation by Up/Down Arrows, PgUp/PgDn and Home/End keys. Pressing a letter moves to next file or directory name starting with that letter. F10 calls up drive selection box (internal and external drives are found). Dot moves one dir level upward. File management operations: Run, delete, sort (6 options) and view (2 modes).

Other: Keyboard operation only. Helpful color display, with white for dir names and command list, yellow for executables, green for text files, etc. Toggle erase and run confirmation on/off (defaults can be set in an environment variable). Displays space used by files, and free space, for selected drive.

Author: Bruno Domingues (1997).

1997-08-28: v3.4.

Download exe34.zip (14K).

 Also see LDIR, one of the LFN Tools.

NDIR — Colorized directory lister with configuration program; Win9x LFN support.

unrated

[added 1999-01-26, updated 2006-03-14]

NDIR generates a configuration (INI) file which permits setting of default switch combinations, and customization of color-coding of file types based on extensions.

• A full suite of sort options, including reverse sort.
• Option to display directory tree and associated subdirectory sizes.
• Disk summary (partition size, used space, cluster size & number)
• Batch creation mode (single column output with option to specify a string before or after filename)
• Variable column output (1-6).

Limitation: No option for recursion through subdirectories.

Author: Daniel D. Miller (2003-05). Suggested by William Cline.

All variants read FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS partitions.

Download ndir227.zip (118K), all variants in one package.

Go to the NDIR support page for more info, screenshots, Linux version & source code.

Wersting Dir (wDir) — DIR clone with color coding and archive / image description capabilities.

* * * *

[updated 2006-03-14]

wDir has some unique capabilities. Like some other dir listers, it 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 (LFNs).

Sample output (default settings, sans color):

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

• Several sorting options, including reverse order.
• Several display options including column display, bare file name listing options (useful for batch files), Lower case display option.
• Option to force 43/50 line display mode.
• Color coding of file types: executables, supported arcs, tmp. (can be disabled or can modify default settings.)
• DIR compatibility option.
• Option to recurse subdirectories.
• Several date and time format display options.
• Can exclude specific directories from listing/ summary info
• Displays long file names (LFNs).
• Can display archive contents, image resolutions, WAV parameters.
• Separate switches available for summary information: bytes allocated for each directory

Note: Has the Borland Pascal CRT bug. See fixes.

Author: Magnus Bäck, Sweden (1997).

1997-07-01: v1.26.

Download wdir126.zip (38K).

OneDIR Pro (1Dir) — Option-rich Win9x compatible directory lister.

unrated

[added 2000-02-12, updated 2005-09-24]

• Windows version has robust support for Long File Names (LFNs).
• Several display modes, including "autocolumn" mode for LFNs.
• Color-coded extensions.
• Extended pattern matching capabilities; multiple file patterns allowed (i.e. 1DIR *C,*.H)
• File patterns can be excluded from directory listings
• Many filtering options (attribute settings, file sizes, dates ranges).
• Full customization is allowed using included configuration tool.
• Batch generation capability.
• DIR command behavior is supported.
• "OneDIR Pro is now FREEWARE!..."

Author: Richard Proft (1996). Suggested by Pio Del Real.

OneDIR Pro Homepage.

ADIR — Dir lister displays Win9x LFNs in plain DOS mode.

unrated

[added 1999-03-16, updated 2006-08-21].

ADIR is a 16-bit program that displays the LFNs on a FAT16 hard or removable disk (Zip or other), and on floppies, when it is run under Win9x's DOS 7. Under a DOS that does not know LFNs, it works like the DIR command, but without some switches. Can display both a file's last access date, and date/time when last modified.

ADIR [pathname] [switches]

Netscape Communicator             <DIR>     15/05/98  22:01  10/06/98 NETSCA~1
Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer...         425  27/11/97  18:33  10/06/98 MICROS~3
Internet Explorer.lnk                  284  05/12/97  21:53  10/06/98 INTERN~1

Limitations: No FAT32 support – can be installed on, and run from, a FAT32 disk, but does not read it. Also does not read CDs. Very long filenames are chopped, extensions may be lost. No recursion through subdirectories.

Author: Chris Jones (1998).

1998-07-24: v1.05.

Download adir105.zip (19K).

Also see NDIR, above, a colorized directory lister with option to display non-color, ASCII-only tree.

DU — Displays directory tree and its disk usage.

* * * *

[updated 2005-12-09]

DU lists a directory tree, or any specified files within it, and the disk space used by the files. Based on the Unix du command, it takes all of the original options and more. Output may be piped and redirected. Very fast.

du {options|filespec} {directory {options|filespecs}}

/a -a  List individual file sizes
/d -d  Debug
/i -i  Include following filespecs
/n -n  Don't include subdirectories in directory size
/s -s  Sum only (like -0)
/x -x  Exclude following filespecs
/w -w  Show wasted space (in percent)
/z -z  Don't show 0k directories / files
/0...  Show only the top 0..65535 levels of the directory tree
/? /h  Help

/e -e  Only count files dated earlier than the given date.  -e311091, eg.
/l -l  Only count later, as -e.  The date format depends on the country.

Filespecs may contain ? (any single character except /), * (0 or more
chars), and [list] (matches any single character in the list).  The full
stop is not special, *[a-cx]* will match any file containing A,B,C or
X anywhere in the file name or extension.

If executed with no options, it will show subdirectories of the current directory and their disk usage in stdout.

Author: Arnt Gulbrandsen, Norway (1992).

1992-04-10: v1.13.

Download du113.zip (27K).

pdTree — Public domain TREE, Win9x LFN compatible.

unrated

[added 2001-02-12, updated 2006-03-14]

• Nearly identical to Win32 version of tree [NT4 as basis, 98 lacks tree].
• Internationalization, at least support for messages in other languages.
• Win9x LFN support, under Win9x or other LFN API.
• Support for directories with more than 32000 entries...

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

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

A single EXE runs 32-bit under Windows, and 16-bit under DOS. Runs in English, Spanish, Latvian. Download packages include source code (C, C++). Has been tested under MS and IBM DOSes, FreeDOS, DR-DOS/OpenDOS and others.

Author: Kenneth J. Davis (2001).

Go to the Tree page for source, a 16-bit TREE for FreeDOS, Konstantin Koll's KOLTREE (which also shows wasted file space), and more.

STREE — Enhanced TREE replacement with many options.

* * * * *

[added 1998-04-17, updated 2005-12-09]

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.

STREE [/Help]   [+|-AHRS] [d:][path][filename[.ext] [...]] [/options]

  +|-AHRS       Files can be selected for searching through attributes.
                As an Example, "STREE +A" searchs only for files that have
                the archive attribute set, "STREE -R" searchs for the files,
                which read-only attribute is not set.
  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
  /F            List file length, standard: cluster size
                (automatically activated for CD-ROM and network drives)
  /G            Don't add the size used by the directory files themselves
                (automatically activated for CD-ROM and network drives)
  /H            Show these help pages
  /Ixxx         Use xxx sectors (512 bytes) as the cluster size of the drive
  /K            Output in lower-case letters
  /L            Don't show directories without matching files
  /M            More-mode: stop after first page, then contollable
  /N            Don't show sizes of branches
  /O            When called without 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)
                (not possible for CD-ROM and network drives)
  /T            Don't show sizes of directories
  /U            Don't show origin path
  /V            Suppress usage of the environment variable "STREE"
  /W            Wait for keypress at end of program
  /X            Don't show list header and general information
  /Y            Show the quota of disk space used instead of number of files
  /0 .. /9      Show only subdirectories with maximum this level, relative to
                starting directory, /0 = no directories = only general info
  /(x,y)        Screen size to use for directory name output (width) and
                for options /M, /P. Disables auto-detection.
                x: maximum number of colums 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

Setting a switch twice in the command line disables this option. Switches can
be written in the way "/option1 /option2 .." or "/option1option2..".

If the option /V is not specified in order to ignore the environment variable
"STREE", the program searches for it. This variable may only contain options.
e.g. in AUTOEXEC.BAT: SET STREE=/M /(,43) /A or SET STREE=M(,43)A
Options /M and /P are ineffective when STREE's output is redirected via ">"
into a file resp. to a device or piped with "|".

Notes: For DOS only – works under Win9x, but without Long File Name and FAT32 support. External documentation in FILE_ID.DIZ and version history only. English- and German-language versions included. Freeware. No registration required, but the author likes to get messages about users' reactions.

Author: Mathias Block, Germany (1998).

1998-05-18: v3.40.

Download stree.zip (43K).

Also see the author's XKILL on this page.

XKILL & STREE page, in German only / nur auf Deutsch.

Space Map — Enhanced TREE replacement.

* * * * *

[added 1998-03-04]

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

• To discover the potential of SM, try these switches: sm /ifn /p /sn (or in autoexec.bat: SET SMAP=/IFN /P /Sn)
• To document an entire drive try this: sm /f /isadf /xa sn+ > filename.txt

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

1992-03-05: v2.0.

Download sm200.zip (14K).

DIRTOTAL — Document drive(s).

* * * *

[updated 2002-11-15]

A useful tool for documenting single or multiple drives. Dirtotal sums up the directory structure of your drive(s) and writes the results to a 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 (LFNs) are not supported.

• Search an entire drive or part of a drive; multi-drive support. Handles large multi-gigabyte drives.
• Extract information for archived files (ZIP, LZH, etc).
• Finds duplicate file names.
• Produces different report formats.
• Works with CD-ROM and network drives.
• Can display directory information as a tree.
• Can be used to show the "top x" files by size (e.g., largest files) or date (e.g., most recent files).

Author: Bruce Guthrie (2002).

2002-08-10: v0208.

Download DIRT0208.ZIP (140K).

More in these pages from Bruce Guthrie.

DIRNOTES — Add descriptions / comments to files.

unrated

[added 1999-03-16, updated 2006-08-21]

DIRNOTES presents a DOS-format, alphabetically-sorted directory listing in the left portion of the display, together with a coordinated, 47-character field on the right side in which you can enter descriptive comments about the file contents, hot-keys, etc. Your notes are automatically saved when the Esc key is pressed, in a file called DIRN-abc.DIR, where abc represent the first three letters of the directory name.

Use Up/Down Arrows, PgUp/PgDn, Home/End to navigate in each panel. Dir listing is limited to 700 files. Source (ASM) included.

Authors: Michael J. Mefford and "WCL" for PC Magazine (1990).

1990-09-05: v1.20.

Download dirno120.zip (14K).

DDIFF — Log changes in directory tree.

unrated

[added 1998-03-15, updated 2006-03-14]

Formerly DIFF, this program is optimized for 80286+ PCs and should handle directories of any size – but it's still not for big FAT32 drives.

From the docs...

DDIFF is a program that will check to see if any files in a specified directory tree have changed since the last time the utility was run...If you want to find out what files have changed recently in a certain directory (or directory tree), DDIFF will come in handy. It is especially helpful on a network where many people may have access to certain files that you need to keep track of...

DDIFF creates either one or two files for its own use depending upon how you wish to use it. The first is a Benchmark file containing the date and time of the last time the utility was run. It also contains a list of all of the files in the directory along with their dates, times, and sizes as they were at the time the Benchmark file was created...The next file (if you tell DDIFF to create it) is a Difference file containing a list of all of the files that have been changed (according to date, time, and filesize) since the Benchmark file was created...When DIFF checks your files, it reads the Benchmark file and compares it against the current contents of the directories that you told it to check. If it finds files that have been changed, it writes a list of them to a Difference file (and/or optionally, to the screen).

Usage:  DDIFF option [option...] [path\filespec]
Options:
/M-file      Make Benchmark file using 'file'
/C-file      Check directory using 'file' as a Benchmark.
/D-file      Write Difference file to 'file'.
/I-file      Create an infobase from the Difference file. (Need CREATE.EXE)
/S           Single subdirectory operation.  (Don't process subdirs.)
/CRC         CRC checking on.  Much slower.
/U           Unchanged files written to Difference file.
/F           Write Difference file in Folio Flat File Format.
/O           Overwrite old files.
/A           Append to files.
/H           Display this help screen.
path\        The 'path' to begin working in (MUST END WITH A '\' BACKSLASH)!
filespec     The filename mask (default is '*.*') to use in 'path.'

Author: Doug McKay (1992). Suggested by Robert Bull.

1992-07-28: v3.2.

Download ddiff32.zip (48K).

CSAP — Sort directories and files on disk (FAT sorting).

* * * *

* Not for Win9x/ FAT32 systems *

CSAP can sort disk directories and files by name, extension, date, or size. CSAP actually modifies the FAT order on disk. Many defragment utilities also offer FAT sorting during defragging but CSAP is obviously much quicker. By default, CSAP sorts files alphanumerically (e.g., if you run DIR without a switch on a CSAP sorted directory, you'll notice that the file listing will display in alphanumeric order). CSAP has options to sort by extension, size, etc., and can also reverse sort. I sort my directories on a frequent schedule and often find it handy to have files arranged in a certain order for batch processing. CSAP should not be executed in a secondary shell (i.e., Windows). Perhaps better classified as a disk utility.

USAGE: CSAP [options] [directory_name]

-F "Freeze". Do not sort except for subdirectory entries and deleted files.
-N Sort on entry Name and Extension (the default).
-E Sort on entry Extension then Name.
-D Sort on entry Date/Time.
-S Sort on entry Size
-I Invert the sort order, i.e sort in descending order.
-L Sort only one level of the hierarchy.
-R Report the number of removed "deleted"entries and the sector addresses of the directory.
-P Do not remove "deleted" entries [reversed from SAP].
-V Verify (request permission from the operator) before sorting each directory.
-T Truncate directories, i.e. return unused disk space to the free space pool.
-Z Zero out unused entries (leading zero byte).

Authors: Don A. Williams and Edgar Swank (1995).

1995-07-21: v4.2.3.

Download csap423.zip (35K).

Also see LMD and LRD in LFN Tools – MD and RD substitutes support Win9x long file names (LFNs) under plain DOS (for Win9x systems).

Delete Directory (DD) — Directory remover, Win9x ready.

* * * * *

[added 1999-11-28]

• FAT32 support and Windows 95 and 98 lfn support.
• "Option to empty the directory, rather than delete it completely.
• Directories can be marked as protected, which prevents DD from deleting them until they are unprotected again.
• Displays how much actual disk space has been released for each directory that is deleted."
• Interactive mode displays a popup with directory info and confirmation buttons (mouse support)

DD [Switches] Directory [Directory..]
  /Auto        Delete the directories without confirmation.
  /AUTOEmpty   Empty the directory. Delete all files, but retain the directory
               structure. Only works when used with /Auto.
  /AUTOMove    Move all files, rather than deleting them, to the parent of the
               directory specified for deletion.
  /Flush       Flush the disk cache when DD has finished.
  /Protect     Protect directories, so that DD can't delete them.
  /Unprotect   Unprotect directories, so that DD can delete them.
  /Hidden      Allow Hidden directories to be deleted.
  /HELP        View DD documentation and examples.

Author: Mark Incley / Inkland, UK (1999).

1999-02-15: v1.53. Part of the InkUtils collection. Formerly shareware, now freeware.

Download ink153.exe (255K).

Get more info at the Inkutils page.

XRD — Directory remover with enhanced wildcards; Win9x LFN compatible.

unrated

[updated 2006-03-14]

Removes one or more directories, with subdirectories and files if requested. Directory wildcards permitted. Doesn't delete non-empty directories without /F. Support has now been added for Win9x LFNs and FAT 32.

SYNTAX:
XRD [d:]path... [/F[A]/S[A] /PYNQV] [@[@]|%[name]] [/4[:dfile]] [/[dt-ranges]]

  [d:]path  Specifies [drive and] directory to remove. Wildcards are allowed.
   /S[A]    Subdirectories [All]: Removes also empty subdirectories except
            [including] system, hidden and read-only ones.
   /F[A]    Files [All]: Deletes all the files except [including] system,
            hidden and read-only ones.
   /N       Nothing: Does everything except actually removing directories.
   /P       Prompt: Prompts for confirmation before removing each directory.
   /Y       Yes: Answers "yes" to all prompts. Use with CAUTION.
   /Q       Quiet: Does not print the number of removed directories.
   /V       Verbose: Prints the names of removed directories.

   @[@]|%[name]   Reads parameters from a file or from an environment variable.
   /4[:dfile]     4DOS: Removes also 4DOS file description from "dfile".
                  Default file name is "descript.ion".
   /[dt-ranges]   Specifies date or time range according to which
                  directories are chosen. Format is: /[{type}{begin},{end}].

   This help summary is available with /? switch.

Authors: Vesa Kolhinen, Finland, and Jason Hood, Australia (2006).

2006-01-08: v3.06. DOS & Win32 versions in one package.

Download xrd306.zip (73K). Or: Download dwx.zip (231K), with DELEN + Wipe + XRD in one package. Each package includes both DOS16 and Win32 compilations of its programs.

Go to Jason Hood's Delen / Wipe / XRD page for more info and source.

More in these pages from Jason Hood.

DELTREE — Enhanced DELTREE clone.

* * * *

[added 1998-08-16, updated 2004-05-24]

4K enhanced clone of Microsoft's DELTREE.EXE.

DELTREE [switches] filespec [filespec...]
  /Y    Delete specified items without prompting
  /V    Report counts and totals when finished
  /D    Display debug info

Filespecs may name files, subdirectories (all contents will be lost),
or DR DOS-style file lists. DELTREE is a dangerous command! Use at
your own risk.

Also includes DELTREE2.COM, which ignores any /Y.

Author: Charles Dye / Freeware, FreeDOS and 4DOS-related stuff (2000).

2003-06-03: v1.02e.

Download DELTREE.ZIP (35K).

More in these pages from Charles Dye.

XKILL — DELTREE replacement with many options.

* * * *

[added 2005-12-09]

XKILL performs directory and tree deletion, quickly and safely.

XKILL [/Help]   [@][d:][path]filename[.ext]...  [/options]

  @             The following filename is the name of a file list
  d:            Drive to search
  path          Directory to start searching
  filename.ext  File or directory to delete (wildcards allowed)

  /C            File integrity check for XKILL.EXE
  /D            Delete empty subdirectories
  /F            Same like /D but only removes dirs where files were deleted
  /G            Use list of directories worth protecting (XKILL.DIR)
  /H            Show these help pages
  /L            Delete files with "Volume" flags (disk labels)
  /N            No query before deleting specified files (CAUTION!)
  /O            Overwrite before deleting - file data is DEFINITELY lost
  /P            Prompt before each file or directory will be deleted
  /Q            Quiet mode: suppress unnecessary print-outs
  /R            Recommended when deleting many files with the attributes
                "Read-Only", "Hidden" or "System": up to 75% faster than normal
  /S            Delete files in subdirectories
  /V            Suppress usage of the environment variable "XKILL"
  /W            Write out which file or directory is being deleted
  /!            Ignore all non-fatal error messages

Caution! XKILL also deletes files with attributes "Read-Only", "Hidden" or
"System" without additional query.
The command line may contain several files or directories. 
The stated directory will only be deleted with options /D, /F if no backslash
("\") follows its name, otherwise only the files will be removed.

Notes: For DOS only – works under Win9x, but without Long File Name and FAT32 support. External documentation in FILE_ID.DIZ and version history only. English- and German-language versions included. Freeware. No registration required, but the author likes to get messages about users' reactions.

Author: Mathias Block, Germany (1998).

1998-05-18: v4.30.

Download xkill.zip (30K).

Also see the author's STREE on this page.

XKILL & STREE page, in German only / nur auf Deutsch.

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