Edit command in Windows

The edit command starts MS-DOS Editor, creates and changes ASCII text files.

For an example of how to use this command, please see the example below.

Edit command syntax

 edit [/b] [/h] [/r] [/s] [/] [[:][] [ [.]] 

Parameters

ParametersDescription [:] [] [[.]] Specifies the location and name of one or more ASCII text files. If the file does not exist, MS-DOS Editor will create it. If the file exists, MS-DOS Editor will open it and display its contents on the screen. FileName may contain wildcards (* and?). Separate multiple file names with spaces. / b Forcing to use monochrome mode, makes MS-DOS Editor display only black and white. / h Displays the maximum number of lines possible for the current screen. / r Load file (s) in read-only mode (read only). / s Forced to use short file names. Load binary file (s), including lines to extend NNN characters. /? Show help at the command prompt.

Note

• For more help, open the MS-DOS Editor, and then press F1.
• Some screens do not support displaying shortcuts by default. If your screen does not display these shortcuts, use / b.

For example

To open the MS-DOS Editor, enter:

 edit 

To create and edit a file named newtextfile.txt in the current directory, enter:

 edit newtextfile.txt 

See more:

• Driverquery command in Windows
• The echo command in Windows
• The certutil command in Windows