Some FTP client software makes assumptions based on the formatting of directory list information. The Windows NT FTP Server provides some flexibility for client software that requires directory listing similar to UNIX systems. Users can use the command dirstyle to toggle directory listing format between MS-DOS–style (the default) and UNIX-style listings. On most FTP client implementations (including the Windows NT FTP client), users type a command at the command prompt similar to quote site dirstyle to get this effect.
You can set the default style for directory listing format by setting a value for MsDosDirOutput in the Registry, as described in "Advanced Configuration Parameters for FTP Server Service" later in this chapter.