To view a Microsoft Word document (*.doc), you need to install and use Microsoft Word. You cannot view a Microsoft Word document in MS-DOS.

However, you can start the Microsoft Word program and open the Word document from an MS-DOS shell by typing the command below.

start myfile.doc

Here, myfile.doc is the name of the Microsoft Word document. Running the above command causes Microsoft Word to start and immediately open myfile.doc.

For additional information about the start command, see our start command overview.

  • How to open and view a document in Microsoft Word.
  • See our Microsoft Word definition for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Word help and support.