Microsoft KB Archive/81819

= Exit Codes or Errorlevels Set by MS-DOS Commands =

Article ID: 81819

Article Last Modified on 11/16/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft MS-DOS 3.1
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 3.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 3.21 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 3.3 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 3.3a
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 4.01 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0a
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q81819



SUMMARY
Several MS-DOS commands set a value detectable using the IF ERRORLEVEL command. These values are called &quot;errorlevels,&quot; &quot;return codes,&quot; or &quot;exit codes.&quot; These commands are:


 * BACKUP
 * CHKDSK
 * CHOICE
 * DEFRAG (codes defined in versions 6.x)
 * DELTREE
 * DISKCOMP
 * DISKCOPY
 * DOSKEY
 * FIND
 * FORMAT
 * GRAFTABL (codes defined in versions 3.3x and later)
 * KEYB (codes defined in versions 4.x and later)
 * MOVE
 * MSAV (codes defined in versions 6.0 and later)
 * REPLACE
 * RESTORE
 * SCANDISK (codes defined in versions 6.2 and later)
 * SETVER (codes defined in versions 5.x and later)
 * XCOPY



MORE INFORMATION
Any program in the MS-DOS environment can set an exit value that can be detected with IF ERRORLEVEL. Any MS-DOS command can return a value, but only the above commands have exit codes defined in the MS-DOS specifications. Return values from other commands should not be relied upon, as they may be different for different versions and dialects of MS-DOS.

None of the internal MS-DOS commands have defined return codes. An external command is a separate MS-DOS program; internal commands are contained within COMMAND.COM and are always available for use when the MS-DOS prompt is active.

You can determine if a command is internal or external by checking your MS-DOS documentation. In MS-DOS 5.0 and 5.0a, commands are marked as internal or external in the chart that accompanies each command in Chapter 14 of the &quot;Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference&quot; manual. Earlier versions of the manual include a boxed E or I symbol on the upper outside corner of the page to denote external or internal.

Customers have suggested that exit codes be defined for all appropriate MS-DOS commands (both internal and external). This feature is under review and will be considered for inclusion in a future release.

Additional query words: 3.2 3.20 3.21 3.3 3.30 3.3a 3.30a 4.0 4.00 4.0a 4.00a 4.01 4.01a 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20

Keywords: KB81819

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