I'm trying to get to C:\Documents and Settings\Smith\Local Settings\History in DOS, but the "Local Settings" directory (and many others) isn't there in my DOS Window - but plainly visible when I use Explore. Why?

Do you mean you can't see it in a Command Window when running dir on C:\? EEOC

dir does not list hidden files/ folders. that is what the attrib command does

Dir /a

What are you trying to accomplish? You can delete your History in Control Panel - Internet Options Doing that in cmd mode is tedious. ......... Start - Run - type: cmd (click OK or press Enter) the prompt should be: C:\Documents and Settings\(user name)> type: cd Local Settings\History (press Enter) that takes you to C:\Documents and Settings\(user name)\Local Settings\History> type: dir /as (press Enter) In my case I get <DIR> History.IE5 desktop.ini type: cd (name of folder) in my case cd History.IE5 (Press Enter) takes you to C:\Documents and Settings\(user name)\Local Settings\History\History.IE5> type: dir /as (Press Enter) yields a list of more DIRs (folders) with really long names type: cd (name of folder 1) (press Enter) takes you to C:\Documents and Settings\(user name)\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\MSHist01200xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> etc. etc.