Multiple Instances of MS-DOS Shell Version 5.0 or Later (73710)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
This article was previously published under Q73710

SUMMARY

It is possible to create multiple instances of MS-DOS Shell. There are two ways to detect multiple instances:

  • Look in the temporary directory. Two files are created in this temporary directory:

    BBC6DOSC.BAT
    DOSSHELL.SWP

    Note: MS-DOS 6.0 creates just the DOSSHELL.SWP file.

  • Continue exiting until the command prompt gives another command prompt immediately after you type the word EXIT.

MORE INFORMATION

You can create multiple instances of MS-DOS Shell by using the following procedure:

  1. Start Shell by typing the following:

    DOSSHELL

  2. Execute the command prompt from the Main section of Shell.
  3. At the command prompt, type the following:

    DOSSHELL

You are now in the second instance of Shell. Look in the temporary directory for the two above mentioned files. To exit both instances of Shell, do the following:

  1. Exit Shell by choosing Exit from the File menu.
  2. At the command prompt, type the following:

    EXIT

  3. Exit Shell by choosing Exit from the File menu.
To verify that there are no more instances of the Shell, type the following at the command prompt:

EXIT

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2003
Keywords:KB73710
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.