gistfile1.txt

PS C:\code\chris> hg branches

PS C:\code\chris> echo first > notes.txt

PS C:\code\chris> ls


    Directory: C:\code\chris


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
d----          3/4/2014   9:30 AM            .hg
-a---          3/4/2014   9:30 AM         16 notes.txt


PS C:\code\chris> hg status
? notes.txt

PS C:\code\chris> hg commit -Am "First"
adding notes.txt

PS C:\code\chris> hg branch
default

PS C:\code\chris> hg branches
default                        0:5b362148a493

PS C:\code\chris> hg branch foobar
marked working directory as branch foobar
(branches are permanent and global, did you want a bookmark?)

PS C:\code\chris> echo second > new_notes.txt

PS C:\code\chris> hg commit -Am "Second"
adding new_notes.txt

PS C:\code\chris> hg branch
foobar

PS C:\code\chris> hg update default
0 files updated, 0 files merged, 1 files removed, 0 files unresolved

PS C:\code\chris> hg branch
default

PS C:\code\chris>