Previous versions of Windows displayed the filenames on the left hand side when you run the dir command. Windows XP changes this and the default it to put it on the right.

To change this back, follow the next steps:

1. Right click on My Computer.
    

2. Click on Properties.
    

3. Click on the Advanced tab.
    

4. Click on the Environment Variables button.
    

5. Click on New button.
    

6. Enter the variable name: dircmd
    

7. Enter the variable value: /-n (see picture 1).

   Picture 1