The short version first. Yes, it is possible to send email from the DOS prompt. Start Command Prompt from the Start Menu or Start Screen, by typing cmd
. Then enter the following expression in the command line:
febootimail -FROM me@example.com -TO recipient@example.com -SUBJ Simple email message -TEXT Email from DOS is easy
Advanced email features are easy too, for example, sending an HTML email with a .pdf
file attached and using a secure connection:
febootimail -FROM me@example.com -TO recipient@example.com -SUBJ Simple email message -TEXT Email from DOS is easy -ATTACH document.pdf -SSL
What is febootimail?
Febootimail is an email client that can send emails directly from the DOS command line. And before we begin, you need to download and install it.
Usually, to send an email you will need an SMTP server and authentication.
Longer version
Now the long version. Actually, you can not send email from "pure" MS-DOS. But don't worry… by pure, we mean the real DOS without Microsoft Windows installed. Usually, DOS doesn't have a network, and you can not send email without a network connection.
Luckily, nowadays speaking about DOS we understand the DOS that is built into Windows. That black window with command prompt, where you can enter commands.
Opening the DOS window depends on your Windows version. In Windows 10 you can type cmd
or Command Prompt
in the Start Menu, and press Enter key. In Windows 7, hit the Start button and type cmd.exe
. In the older Windows, press Start, then click on Run, then type cmd
.
In the DOS prompt you can enter various commands, such as dir, copy, rd, md and so on. These commands are legacy from the 80s till mid 90s, when all you had was a black screen with a command line where the cursor was blinking and waiting for your commands. The Internet was just getting popular and there were no such services like Gmail, and Hotmail was just founded.
Now that you know how to send emails from the DOS prompt, it is time download febootimail, and send some emails!
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