Shell

Specifies the name and location of an alternate command interpreter you want Windows XP to use for the MS-DOS subsystem.

Syntax

shell=[[Drive**:**]Path] FileName [parameters]

Parameters

[[ Drive : ] Path ] FileName   : Specifies the location and name of the command interpreter.

parameters   : Specifies any command-line parameters or command-line options that can be used with the specified command interpreter.

/?   : Displays help at the command prompt.

Remarks

  • Default setting

    By default, the MS-DOS subsystem uses a special version of Command.com that works seamlessly with the other Windows XP subsystems (including piping and redirection between subsystems); therefore, the shell command is unnecessary.

  • Specifying a 16-bit command interpreter

    Although it is not recommended, you can use the shell command to specify your own 16-bit command interpreter.

  • Using command-line options with a command interpreter

    The shell command itself does not accept any command-line options, but if the command interpreter does, you can include them on the shell command line.

Examples

Suppose the file Newshell.com is in the /Bin directory on your startup drive, and you want to use Newshell.com as your command interpreter. To do this, add the following command to your Config.nt file:

shell=\bin\newshell.com

Formatting legend

Format

Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Ellipsis (...)

Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line

Between brackets ([])

Optional items

Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd}

Set of choices from which the user must choose only one

Courier font

Code or program output

Command-line reference A-Z