Microsoft DOS break command

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About break
Availability
Break syntax
Break examples

About break

Break can be used to enable or disable the breaking capability of the computer. For example, if a user wanted to cancel a batch file or another MS-DOS processes, that user could press CTRL + C (break), which would then prompt the user if they wish to cancel the current process.

Turning break off will cancel CTRL + C; however, the user will still be able to press CTRL + PAUSE/BREAK and have the capability of getting out of a batch file or current running process.

Note: Newer versions of Windows (Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and higher) only include this command for backwards compatibility and turning the break off has no effect.

Availability

The break command is an an internal command and is available in the below Microsoft operating systems.

All Versions of MS-DOS
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7

Syntax

Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.

BREAK [ON | OFF]

Type BREAK without a parameter to display the current BREAK setting.

Examples

break on

Turns on the break, which allows the Ctrl + C function.

break off

Turns off the break, not allowing Ctrl + C to cancel a process.