Norton Commander 5.51 for DOS - Download, Install, and Configure
MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS: A Powerful File Manager for the Classic Operating System
Introduction
MS-DOS is one of the most iconic operating systems in the history of computing. It was the dominant platform for personal computers in the 1980s and early 1990s, before Windows took over. MS-DOS was a simple, text-based system that required users to type commands to perform tasks such as launching programs, copying files, or formatting disks.
MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS
However, MS-DOS also had some limitations and drawbacks, such as the lack of a graphical user interface, the restriction of file names to eight characters plus a three-character extension, and the difficulty of managing large numbers of files and directories. To overcome these challenges, many users relied on third-party software tools that enhanced the functionality and usability of MS-DOS. One of the most popular and powerful tools was Norton Commander.
Norton Commander was a file manager that provided a two-pane interface that allowed users to easily navigate, view, copy, move, rename, delete, and compare files and directories. It also offered features such as built-in file viewers and editors, disk utilities, batch file processing, command line access, network support, and more. Norton Commander was first released in 1986 by Peter Norton Computing, and later acquired by Symantec. The last version for DOS was v5.51, released in 1998.
In this article, we will explore the features and benefits of MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS, and how to install and use it on your computer. We will also compare it with some other file managers for DOS, such as XTree and Volkov Commander. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of why Norton Commander was such a popular and useful tool for MS-DOS users.
Features and Benefits of MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS
MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS had many features and benefits that made it a superior file manager for MS-DOS users. Here are some of them:
Two-pane interface: Norton Commander displayed two panels that showed the contents of two different directories or drives at the same time. This made it easy to perform operations such as copying, moving, or comparing files between them. Users could also switch between panels using the Tab key, or change the view mode using the F9 key.
Built-in file viewers and editors: Norton Commander included several internal programs that allowed users to view or edit different types of files without leaving the file manager. For example, users could view text files with F3, edit them with F4, view binary files with F5, view images with F7, or view archives with F8. Users could also configure external programs to be used with certain file types.
Disk utilities: Norton Commander also provided some useful disk utilities that helped users manage their disks and files. For example, users could format disks with F10, check disk errors with Alt-F10, undelete files with Alt-F4, split or join files with Alt-F5 or Alt-F6, or encrypt or decrypt files with Alt-F7 or Alt-F8.
Batch file processing: Norton Commander allowed users to perform multiple operations on a group of files or directories at once. Users could select multiple files or directories using the Insert key or the + or - keys, and then apply commands such as copy, move, delete, rename, or attribute change to them. Users could also create custom batch commands using macros.
Command line access: Norton Commander gave users access to the MS-DOS command line at any time by pressing F2. Users could enter any MS-DOS command or run any external program from there. Users could also use Ctrl-Enter to insert the name of the highlighted file or directory into the command line.
Network support: Norton Commander supported network drives and protocols such as NetBIOS, IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, and Telnet. Users could connect to remote servers or computers using these protocols and perform file operations on them as if they were local drives.
Long file name support: Norton Commander v5.5x added support for long file names (LFN) that were introduced by Windows 95 and later versions of MS-DOS. Users could enable LFN support by pressing Alt-F9 and see the full names of files and directories that exceeded the 8.3 format. Users could also use LFNs in commands and operations.
How to Install and Use MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS
If you want to install and use MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS on your computer, you will need the following:
A computer that can run MS-DOS v6.22 or compatible versions.
A floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive.
A copy of MS-DOS v6.22 installation disks or CD-ROM.
A copy of Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS installation disks or CD-ROM.
Here are the steps to install and use MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS:
Boot your computer from the MS-DOS v6.22 installation disk or CD-ROM.
Follow the instructions on the screen to install MS-DOS v6.22 on your hard drive.
Reboot your computer from the hard drive.
Insert the Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS installation disk or CD-ROM into the floppy disk drive or the CD-ROM drive.
Type A: or D: (depending on your drive letter) and press Enter to switch to the installation disk or CD-ROM.
Type INSTALL and press Enter to start the installation program.
Follow the instructions on the screen to install Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS on your hard drive.
Reboot your computer from the hard drive.
Type NC and press Enter to launch Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS.
Use the arrow keys, the Tab key, the F keys, and other keyboard shortcuts to navigate and perform file operations with Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS.
Comparison with Other File Managers for DOS
Norton Commander was not the only file manager available for DOS users. There were several other alternatives that offered similar or different features and benefits. Here are some of them:
XTree
XTree was another popular file manager for DOS that was first released in 1985 by Executive Systems. XTree had a single-pane interface that showed a tree-like structure of directories and files, with subdirectories expanded or collapsed using the + or - keys. XTree also had built-in file viewers and editors, disk utilities, network support, command line access, and more. XTree was later acquired by Symantec and discontinued in 1994.
Volkov Commander
Volkov Commander was a clone of Norton Commander that was first released in 1994 by Vsevolod Volkov. Volkov Commander had a two-pane interface that was very similar to Norton Commander, but with some additional features such as mouse support, long file name support, ZIP archive support, extended memory support, and more. Volkov Commander was freeware and still available for download as of 2021.
DOS Navigator
DOS Navigator was another clone of Norton Commander that was first released in 1991 by RIT Research Labs. DOS Navigator had a two-pane interface that was also very similar to Norton Commander, but with some extra features such as multiple windows, drag-and-drop operations, file filters, file associations, hex editor, calculator, calendar, and more. DOS Navigator was also freeware and still available for download as of 2021.
Conclusion
MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS was a powerful file manager that enhanced the functionality and usability of MS-DOS. It provided a two-pane interface that allowed users to easily navigate, view, copy, move, rename, delete, and compare files and directories. It also offered features such as built-in file viewers and editors, disk utilities, batch file processing, command line access, network support, long file name support, and more.
Norton Commander was one of the most popular and useful tools for MS-DOS users in the 1980s and 1990s, before Windows took over the personal computer market. It helped users overcome some of the limitations and drawbacks of MS-DOS, such as the lack of a graphical user interface, the restriction of file names to eight characters plus a three-character extension, and the difficulty of managing large numbers of files and directories.
Norton Commander was also easy to install and use on any computer that could run MS-DOS v6.22 or compatible versions. It only required a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive, and a copy of the installation disks or CD-ROM. Users could also customize Norton Commander to suit their preferences and needs, such as changing the colors, fonts, sounds, keys, and menus.
Although Norton Commander was discontinued in 1998, it still has a loyal fan base and a legacy that lives on in other file managers that were inspired by it or cloned it. Some of these file managers are still available for download and use today, such as Volkov Commander and DOS Navigator. Norton Commander is also a part of the retro computing culture and nostalgia, as many users remember it fondly as one of the best tools for MS-DOS.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about MS-DOS v6.22 Norton Commander v5.51 for DOS:
Q: Can I run Norton Commander on Windows?
A: Yes, you can run Norton Commander on Windows using an emulator such as DOSBox or VirtualBox. You will need to install MS-DOS and Norton Commander on the emulator first, and then launch them from there.
Q: How can I copy files from Norton Commander to Windows or vice versa?
A: You can use the network support feature of Norton Commander to connect to Windows using protocols such as FTP, HTTP, or Telnet. You can also use shared folders or drives between the emulator and Windows, and access them from Norton Commander.
Q: How can I access long file names in Norton Commander?
A: You can enable long file name support in Norton Commander by pressing Alt-F9. This will allow you to see and use long file names that exceed the 8.3 format. However, this feature may not work with some older versions of MS-DOS or some external programs.
Q: How can I customize Norton Commander?
A: You can customize Norton Commander by pressing F9 and selecting Options from the menu. You can change various settings such as colors, fonts, sounds, keys, menus, extensions, macros, and more.
Q: Where can I download Norton Commander?
A: You can download Norton Commander from various websites that host old software or abandonware. However, you should be careful about the legality and safety of these downloads, as they may not be authorized by Symantec or contain viruses or malware. dcd2dc6462