Unlocking the Power of the Windows Command Prompt: 50 Must-Know Commands
Tags: windows, cmd, terminal, cheatsheet
Published: 2023-02-10 09:53:45

Unleash the full capabilities of your Windows system with this guide to 50 underutilized Command Prompt commands. From network management to system information, these powerful yet lesser-known commands will help you streamline your workflow and get the most out of your Windows experience. Whether you're a seasoned user or just starting to explore the command line, this list has something for everyone.

1. `ping` Tests connectivity to a networked device.
2. `tracert` Displays the path taken by packets to reach a networked device.
3. `ipconfig` Displays the configuration of the network adapter.
4. `nslookup` Queries DNS servers for information about a domain name.
5. `netstat` Displays active network connections and their status.
6. `tasklist` Displays a list of running processes and their information.
7. `taskkill` Terminates a running process.
8. `ftp` Transfers files between computers using FTP.
9. `xcopy` Copies files and directories from one location to another.
10. `net` Manages various aspects of the network.
11. `dir` Displays a list of files and directories in a folder.
12. `cd` Changes the current working directory.
13. `type` Displays the contents of a text file.
14. `copy` Copies one or more files to another location.
15. `xcopy` Copies files and directories, including subdirectories, to another location.
16. `rename` Renames a file or directory.
17. `del` Deletes one or more files.
18. `rd` Deletes a directory.
19. `md` Creates a new directory.
20. `cls` Clears the command-line screen.
21. `sort` Sorts the contents of a text file.
22. `find` Searches for a text string in a file or set of files.
23. `grep` Searches for a text pattern in a file or set of files.
24. `net user` Manages user accounts, including adding and removing users.
25. `net localgroup` Manages local user groups, including adding and removing users from groups.
26. `net share` Manages shared resources, including creating and deleting shares.
27. `net view` Displays a list of network resources, including computers, shares, and printers.
28. `chkdsk` Checks the integrity of the file system and repairs any errors it finds.
29. `sfc /scannow` Scans the system files and replaces any that are corrupted or missing.
30. `start` Opens a program or file.
31. `net time` Displays or sets the date and time on the network.
32. `netstat -a` Shows all active connections and listening ports.
33. `netstat -b` Shows the executables involved in creating each network connection or listening port.
34. `netstat -r` Shows the routing table for the local system.
35. `nslookup -a` Shows the authoritative DNS server for a domain.
36. `netstat -e` Shows network statistics, including the number of bytes and packets sent and received.
37. `netstat -n` Shows active connections and listening ports, but does not attempt to resolve hostnames or service names.
38. `netstat -o` Shows the process ID associated with each network connection or listening port.
39. `netstat -p` Shows the protocol associated with each network connection or listening port.
40. `systeminfo` Shows information about the system, including the operating system version, system uptime, and system configuration.
41. `whoami` Shows the user account that is currently logged in.
42. `set` Displays or sets environment variables.
43. `time` Shows or sets the system time.
44. `date` Shows or sets the system date.
45. `ping -t` Pings a networked device continuously until stopped.
46. `ping -a` Attempts to resolve the hostname of a networked device.
47. `ping -n` Specifies the number of echo requests to send.
48. `ping -l` Specifies the size, in bytes, of the echo request packet.
49. `ping -f` Specifies that the echo request packet should not be fragmented.
50. `ping -i` Specifies the time-to-live value for the echo request packet.`

These additional commands will help you further explore and utilize the power of the Windows command-line. Again, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with these commands, as well as the various options and arguments that can be used with each command, to make the most of your Windows system.