Open Windows Explorer Menu from DOS

If you’re in an MS-DOS window and you’d like to see a folder’s contents, you don’t have to use DOS commands. Simply type:

explorer .

(that’s the word explorer and then a space and then a dot)

… and press Enter. A single-paned window with info about the current directory will pop up. If you type explorer without the space and dot, a window with info about the root directory will appear. If want a two-paned Windows Explorer-style window, type:

explorer /e

…at the command prompt, and press Enter.