Essential Windows CMD Commands You Should Know

Essential Windows CMD Commands You Should Know


A–B

ASSOC - Displays or modifies file extension associations.

ATTRIB - Displays or changes file attributes.

BREAK - Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.

BCDBOOT - Used to copy critical files to the system partition and to crate a new system BCD store.

BCDEDIT - Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.

C

CACLS - Shows or changes access control lists (ACLs) of files.

CALL - Calls a batch program from another.

CD - Shows the name of or changes to a current directory.

CHCP - Displays or sets the active code page number.

CHDIR - Displays the name of or changes to the current directory.

CHKDSK - Checks a disk and displays a status report.

CHKNTFS - Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time.

CHOICE - Batch file command that allows users to select from a set of options.

CIPHER - Displays or alters the encryption of directories (files) on NTFS partitions.

CLIP - Redirects output off another command to the Windows clipboard.

CLS - Clears the screen.

CMD - Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter.

CMDKEY - Creates, lists, and deletes stored user names and passwords or credentials.

COLOR - Sets the default console colors.

COMP - Compares the contents of two files or sets of files byte-by-byte.

COMPACT - Displays or alters the compression of files on NTSF partitions.

CONVERT - Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. You cannot convert the current drive.

COPY - Copies one of more files to another location.

D

DATE - Displays or sets the date.

DEFRAG - Disk defragment accessory.

DEL - Deletes one or more files.

DIR - Displays a list of files and sub-directories in a directory.

DISKCOMP - Compares the contents of two floppy disks.

DISKCOPY - Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.

DISKPART - Displays or configures Disk Partition properties.

DOSKEY - Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and creates macros.

DRIVERQUERY - Displays current device driver status and properties.

E

ECHO - Displays messages, or turns commands echoing on or off.

ENDLOCAL - Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file.

ERASE - Deletes one of more files.

EXIT - Quits and closes the command shell.

EXPAND - Expands compressed files.

F

FC - Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the differences between them.

FIND - Searches for a text string in a file or files.

FINDSTR - Searches for strings in files.

FOR - Runs a specified command for each item in a set.

FORFILES - Selects files in a folder for batch processing.

FORMAT - Formats a disc for use with Windows.

FSUTIL - Displays or configures the file system properties.

FTYPE - Displays or modifies file types used in file extensions associations.

G–I

GOTO - Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in a batch program.

GPRESULT - Displays Group Policy Information for machine or user. 

GRAFTABL - Enables Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode.

HELP - Provides help information for Windows commands.

ICACLS - Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and directories.

IF - Performs conditional processing in batch programs. 

IPCONFIG - Displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values.

L–M

LABEL - Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.

MD - Creates a directory.

MKDIR - Creates a directory.

MKLINK - Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links.

MODE - Configures a system device.

MORE - Displays output one screen at a time.

MOVE - Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.

O–P

OPENFILES - Queries, displays, or disconnects open files or files opened by network users.

PATH - Displays or sets a search path for executable files.

PAUSE - Suspends processing of a batch file.

POPD - Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by PUSHD.

PRINT - Prints a text file.

PROMPT - Changes the Windows command prompt.

PUSHD - Saves the current directory then changes it.

R

RD - Removes a directory.

RECOVER - Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk.

REM - Designates comments (remarks) in batch files.

REN - Renames a file or files.

RENAME - Renames a file or files.

REPLACE - Replaces files.

RMDIR - Removes a directory.

ROBOCOPY - Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees.

S

SET - Displays, sets, or removes environment variables for current session.

SETLOCAL - Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file.

SETX - Sets environment variables.

SC - Displays or configures services (background processes).

SCHTASKS - Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer.

SHIFT - Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files.

SHUTDOWN - Allows proper local or remote shutdown of machine.

SORT - Sorts input.

START - Starts a separate window to run a specified programs or command.

SUBST - Associates a path with a drive letter.

SYSTEMINFO - Displays machine specific properties and configuration.

T

TAKEOWN - Allows an administrator to take ownership of a file.

TASKLIST - Displays all currently running tasks including services.

TASKKILL - Kill running process or applications.

TIME - Displays or sets the system time.

TIMEOUT - Pauses the command processor for the specified number of seconds.

TITLE - Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session.

TREE - Graphically displays the directory structure of a drove or path.

TYPE - Displays the contents of a text file.

V–X

VER - Displays the Windows version.

VERIFY - Tells Windows whether or verify that your files are written correctly to a disk.

VOL - Displays a disk volume label and serial number.

VSSADMIN - Volume Shadow Copy Service administration tool.

WHERE - Displays the locations of files that match a search pattern.

WMIC - Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell.

XCOPY - Copies files and directory trees.

Note: In order to have full access of the command prompt, you must run the prompt as an Administrator. Administrator privilege allows users to access commands otherwise inaccessible.


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