Variations on MS-DOS Themes

You can try some of these MS-DOS commands to open Windows 9X/Me-style windows from a DOS session:

explorer ..
At an MS-DOS prompt, it will open a single-paned Explorer window and carry you back one directory (from the current directory).

explorer /e,..
(Explorer followed by a space, then parameter e, then a comma and a double period), it will open a two-paned Explorer window focused on the parent of the current directory.

explorer c:\....\....
(Explorer followed by a space and a path), it will open a single-paned window focused on the specified directory.