Actually, an alias to a command can be done in XP. Using regedit I created a subkey called "cpu-z" in "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\App Paths" with a value of "C:\Utilities\cpu-z\cpuz.exe". And now when I try to run cpu-z, it works. I can replace the value with a path to any program and that works too. Also batch files work, although a cmd window pops up.

One of several little tricks I learned from battling a recent virus....