Well,
in VMWARE you can run dos, it is just like other PC;
Concerning the dos, I can write you some basic commands, but tomorow I'll put here help for MSDOS.

DIR lists files and directories
CD changes directory
A: example of change of the current disk to A: (diskette)
COPY copies file
MD make directory
DEL deletes file
RD remove directory

When you need help on certain command just type it with " /?" it will print help.
These are the basic, but for more user friendly environment try to look for some volkov commander or old norton commander
Hope it helps,
least