View Volume Labels in MS-DOS 6.22

In MS-DOS 6.22, partition volume labels are stored as special metadata entries within the root directory of a FAT file system rather than regular visible files. Standard directory listings conceal these labels by default, but specific command syntax allows users to query, view, and inspect active partition labels regardless of whether directory listings suppress them. This guide explains the precise command syntax required to display these volume labels and inspect root directory metadata under MS-DOS 6.22.

Primary Command: VOL

The standard and most direct command syntax to display the volume label and volume serial number of any active partition is:

VOL [drive:]

For example, to display the volume label of the active C: drive, execute:

VOL C:

The VOL command reads the Volume ID directly from the extended BIOS Parameter Block (BPB) and the root directory table, displaying the label even though the entry is hidden from standard DIR listings.

Alternative Display via CHKDSK and LABEL

Two other built-in commands reveal partition volume labels when standard directory tools do not:

  • CHKDSK Syntax:

    CHKDSK [drive:]

    Running CHKDSK C: queries the partition structure and reports the volume label, its creation timestamp, and the partition serial number at the top of the report.

  • LABEL Syntax:

    LABEL [drive:]

    Executing LABEL C: displays the current partition label and then prompts to rename or delete it. Pressing Enter and answering N to the deletion prompt leaves the existing label unchanged.

Inspecting Hidden Root Directory Entries

In MS-DOS 6.22 FAT16 file systems, a volume label is marked with the Volume ID attribute byte (0x08). If a label entry or associated system files also carry the Hidden (0x02) or System (0x04) file attributes, you can list hidden items in the root directory using the DIR command with attribute switches:

DIR [drive:\] /A:H

To display all directory entries regardless of hidden, system, or read-only attributes, use:

DIR [drive:\] /A

While DIR /A exposes files carrying the Hidden attribute in the root directory, standard DOS DIR filters out standalone Volume ID entries (0x08), making VOL [drive:] the dedicated and definitive command syntax to view active partition labels.