MS-DOS DIR Command Bare Directory Names

This article explains how to display bare directory names using the DIR command in MS-DOS 6.22. It covers the specific switches required to strip away file sizes, timestamps, and header details, leaving only a clean list containing directory names.

In MS-DOS 6.22, the parameter that forces the DIR command to use a bare format is /B. However, using /B on its own lists both files and directories. To display only bare directory names, you must combine the bare format switch with the directory attribute switch, /A:D.

The Exact Command Syntax

To display only bare directory names in the current folder, enter:

DIR /B /AD

Parameter Breakdown

/B (Bare Format): Strips all heading information, file sizes, timestamps, and free space summaries. It outputs only the names.
/A:D (Attribute: Directory): Filters the output so MS-DOS displays only items with the directory attribute set, omitting regular files. You can type this as /AD or /A:D.

Practical Examples

List subdirectories in a specific path:
```
DIR C:\DOS /B /AD
```
List subdirectories in alphabetical order:
```
DIR /B /AD /O:N
```
Export bare directory names to a text file:
```
DIR /B /AD > DIRS.TXT
```