Windows is a computer operating system, and the command line is a part of the Windows operating system. A command line is a place where you can enter commands to perform specific functions in Windows.
By knowing the commands, you can perform a wide range of tasks in Windows, from starting programs and shutting them down to finding files and directories, and much more.
This article will provide a list of windows command, and why it is so important to the way that you interact with your computer.
A window command is used to run an external program on Windows, from any computer, without having to open a command prompt or launch the program from a shortcut or batch file. Example commands include taskkill, tasklist, stop, and taskmgr.
Although The command prompt is gradually being phased out of the Windows system, many commands, remain helpful, and Windows 8 and 10 even introduced new ones.
A command prompt is still a useful tool in Windows. Here are the most important CMD commands that every Windows user should know.
Here is a List of windows commands Prompt (CMD) You should know.
1. Ipconfig
This command sends the current IP address of your computer. If you're using a router, like most PCs are nowadays, you'll get the router's local network address instead.
Nonetheless, ipconfig is helpful due to its extensions. The commands ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew might compel your Windows PC to request a new IP address, which is handy if your computer says none are available. To update your DNS address, run ipconfig /flushdns.
These instructions are useful if the Windows network troubleshooter fails, which happens from time to time.
2. Driverquery
Drivers are still among the most crucial pieces of software on a computer. Improperly configured, lost, or obsolete drivers in Windows can create all kinds of problems, so it's useful to have a list of what's on your computer.
That is precisely what the driverquery command accomplishes. You may use driverquery -v to get further information, such as the directory where the driver is installed.
3. Ping
Sometimes you need to know if packets are being delivered to a certain networked device. This is where ping comes in.
When you type ping followed by an IP address or web domain, a sequence of test packets are sent to the given address. If they come and are returned, you know the device can communicate with your PC; if they fail, you know something is interfering with communication between the device and your computer.
This might assist you in determining if the source of the problem is an incorrect setting or a network hardware breakdown.
4. Assoc
In Windows, most files are associated with a certain program that is set to open the file by default. Remembering these links might be difficult at times.
You may refresh your memory by using the command assoc, which displays a complete list of filename extensions and application affiliations.
The command can be extended to alter file associations. Assoc.txt=, for example, changes the file association for text files to whatever program you enter after the equal sign.
The assoc command will display both the extension and program names, allowing you to use this command correctly.
Windows 10 has a more user-friendly interface that allows you to alter file type associations on the go. Navigate to Settings (Windows + I) > Apps > Default Apps. Select the default program based on the file type.
5. File Compare
This command may be used to detect text variations between two files. It's very beneficial for authors and programmers looking for minor differences between two versions of a file. Simply enter fc followed by the directory location and file name of the two files to be compared.
The command can be extended in a variety of ways. Typing /b compares just binary output, /c ignores text case in the comparison, and /l compares only ASCII text.
You might, for example, use the following:
fc /l "C:\Program Files (x86)\example1.doc" "C:\Program Files (x86)\example2.doc"
The program above compares the ASCII content in two Word documents.
6. Cipher
Deleted files on a traditional hard disc are not truly deleted. Instead, it indicates that the files are no longer accessible and that the space they used is now free. The files can be recovered until the system overwrites them with fresh data, which might take a while.
The cipher command, on the other way. deletes a directory by writing random data to it. For example, to wipe your C drive, use the cypher /w:d command, which will erase the disk's empty space. Because the command does not overwrite undeleted data, it will not remove the files you require.
7. Netstat
Using the command netstat -an will provide a list of all open ports and their associated IP addresses. This command will also inform you whether the port is open, listening, or closed.
This is a wonderful command to use when you're attempting to troubleshoot devices connected to your PC or when you suspect your system has been infected by a Trojan and you're looking for a malicious connection.
8. Powercfg
Powercfg is a powerful tool for regulating and measuring your computer's energy use. To handle hibernation, use the commands powercfg hibernate on and powercfg hibernate off, and you may also use the command powercfg /a to explore the power-saving modes currently accessible on your PC.
Powercfg /devicequery s1 supported is another handy tool that provides a list of devices on your computer that support connected standby. When enabled, you may use these devices to wake up your computer, even remotely.
Select the device in Device Manager, open its properties, navigate to the Power Management page, and then tick the Allow this device to activate the computer box.
9. Pathping
This is a more complex form of ping that comes in handy when there are numerous routers between your PC and the device you're testing. Pathping, like ping, is used by entering pathping followed by the IP address, but unlike ping, pathping also communicates information on the route the test packets travel. For more details: Click here
10. Shutdown
Windows 8 introduces the shutdown command, which, as the name suggests, shuts down your computer.
The shutdown /r /o command, which restarts your PC and launches the Advanced Start Options menu, where you may access Safe Mode and Windows recovery utilities, is, of course, redundant with the already immediately accessible shutdown button. This is important if you need to restart your computer to troubleshoot.
For complete details: click here
11. Tracert
Pathping is comparable to the tracert command. Once more, enter tracert followed by the IP address or domain to be tracked. You can be informed about each and every step of the path between your PC and the target. Tracert, unlike pathping, also measures how long (in milliseconds) every trip between servers or devices takes.
12. System File Checker
System File Checker is a scanning and repair utility for Windows system files.
You must launch the command prompt with administrative rights and type sfc /scannow. If SFC discovers any corrupted or missing files, it will automatically replace them with cached copies saved by Windows exclusively for this purpose.
On older laptops, the command may take up to a half-hour to complete.
13. Systeminfo
This command will provide you with a complete overview of your computer's settings. The list includes information about your operating system and hardware.
You may, for example, search up the original Windows installation date, the last boot time, your BIOS version, total, and available RAM, installed hotfixes, network card settings, and other information.
To obtain information on a machine on your local network, use systeminfo /s followed by the hostname of that computer. This may need the inclusion of extra syntax components for the domain, user name, and password, such as:
systeminfo /s [host_name] /u [domain]\[user_name] /p [user_password]
How we can use this command? Example
14. Taskkill
Tasks that appear in the tasklist command will be assigned an executable and a process ID (a four- or five-digit number). You may force a program to halt by typing taskkill -im followed by the name of the executable or taskkill -pid followed by the process ID.
Again, this is rather similar to Task Manager, but it may be used to terminate otherwise inactive or hidden apps.
15. Chkdsk
When indications suggest that a local drive has faulty sectors, lost clusters, or other logical or physical defects, Windows automatically designates your drive for a diagnostic chkdsk scan.
If you fear your hard disc is failing, you may run a scan manually. The simplest basic command is chkdsk c:, which will scan the C: disc without restarting the computer. If you provide options such as /f, /r, /x, or /b, as in chkdsk /f /r /x /b c:, chkdsk will additionally rectify errors, recover data, dismount the drive, or remove the list of faulty sectors, as appropriate. These activities require a reboot since they can only be performed while Windows is turned off.
16. Cls
Have you clogged up your command prompt window by attempting all of the instructions listed above? To clear it all up again, you'll need to know one more command.
cls
17. Format
If you need to format a disc, you may use either the Windows File Explorer GUI or the command prompt. To use this command, you must have Administrator privileges. Make sure you indicate the volume you wish to format, followed by the settings you want.
The command below will rapidly format the D drive with the exFAT file system and rename the volume to "label" with an allocated unit size of 2048 bytes (without the quotes).
format D: /Q /FS:exFAT /A:2048 /V:label
18. Prompt
Do you want to add instructions or specific information to your command prompt? You can with the prompt command!
Can try this:
prompt Your wish is my command:
You may include the current time, date, disc and location, Windows version number, and many more details.
Type "prompt" to restore your command prompt to its default settings, or just restart it. Regrettably, these options are not permanent.
prompt $t on $d at $p using $v:
Just for Windows 8: Restoration Image
Almost all Windows 8/8.1 laptops come with a recovery image, however, the image may contain bloatware you don't want to be reinstalled. After uninstalling the malware, use the recimg command to make a fresh image. Using this command displays a thorough description of how to use it
To use the recimg command, you should be an administrator, and you can only view the custom recovery image you make using the Windows 8 refresh feature.
System recovery has altered in Windows 10. Because Windows 10 computers do not include a recovery sector, it is more essential than ever to back up your data.
Command and Control Your Windows Computer
This tutorial can only scratch the surface of what the Windows command line has to offer. When all variables are considered, there are practically hundreds of instructions. For advanced help and troubleshooting, download Microsoft's command line reference guide (in Edge or Internet Explorer).