label (command)

In computing, label is a command included with some operating systems (e.g., DOS, OS/2 and Microsoft Windows). It is used to create, change, or delete a volume label on a logical drive, such as a hard disk partition or a floppy disk. Used without parameters, label changes the current volume label or deletes the existing label.

In Unix and other Unix-like operating systems, the name of the equivalent command differs from file system to file system. For instance, the command e2label can be used for ext2 partitions.

Syntax

LABEL [drive:][label]
LABEL [/MP] [volume] [label]

Arguments:

• drive: This command-line argument specifies the drive letter of a drive.
• label Specifies the label of the volume.
• volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount point, or volume name.

Flags:

• /MP Specifies that the volume should be treated as a mount point or volume name.

Note: If volume name is specified, the /MP flag is unnecessary.

Example

C:\Users\root>label D: Backup

Supported file systems

• FAT12
• FAT16
• FAT32
• exFAT
• NTFS

Limitations

FAT volume labels

• Volume labels can contain as many as 11 character bytes and can include spaces, but no tabs. The characters are in the OEM code page of the system that created the label.
• Volume labels cannot contain the following characters: ? / \ | . , ; : + = [ ] < > "
• Volume labels are stored as upper-case regardless of whether they contain lower-case letters.

NTFS volume labels

• Volume labels can contain as many as 32 Unicode characters.

See also

• Vol (command) — Displays the disk volume label and serial number.
• List of DOS commands

References

• Microsoft TechNet Label article