Useful Windows Commands Reference

Table of Contents

1. Basic Commands
2. File Management
3. Process Management
4. Network
5. System Management
6. User Management
7. Advanced Commands
8. Tip
9. Useful Links

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1. Basic Commands

These commands allow quick interaction with the command prompt and navigation through the file system:

• dir : Lists files and folders in the current directory.
  • Usage: dir C:\Users\Username to display the folder's contents.
• cd : Changes the current directory.
  • Usage: cd C:\Windows to navigate to the Windows folder.
  • Go back to the parent directory: cd .. navigates to the parent directory.
• cls : Clears the console screen.
  • Usage: Type cls to clean up the screen.
• exit : Closes the command prompt.
  • Usage: Type exit to quit the session.

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2. File Management

These commands help you manage files and directories (copy, move, delete, etc.):

• copy : Copies files.
  • Example: copy file.txt C:\Destination copies "file.txt" to "C:\Destination".
• move : Moves files.
  • Example: move file.txt C:\Destination moves "file.txt".
• del : Deletes files.
  • Example: del file.txt deletes "file.txt" from the current directory.
• mkdir : Creates a new folder.
  • Example: mkdir new_folder creates a folder named "new_folder".
• rmdir : Deletes a folder (must be empty).
  • Example: rmdir empty_folder removes the folder "empty_folder".

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3. Process Management

These commands allow monitoring and controlling processes running on the system:

• tasklist : Lists active processes.
  • Example: Type tasklist to view active processes with their PID.
• taskkill : Terminates a process.
  • Example: taskkill /PID 1234 /F forcefully stops the process with PID 1234.

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4. Network

These commands are useful for diagnosing and managing network connections:

• ping : Tests the network connectivity to an address.
  • Example: ping www.google.com checks connectivity to Google's servers.
• ipconfig : Displays network and IP information.
  • Example: ipconfig /all shows detailed network configurations.
• netstat : Shows active network connections.
  • Example: netstat -a lists all connections and open ports.
• tracert : Traces the path to a network destination.
  • Example: tracert www.google.com shows the hops to Google.

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5. System Management

These commands provide system information and allow control over the system:

• systeminfo : Displays detailed system information.
  • Example: Type systeminfo for OS details.
• wmic : Runs WMI commands for system management.
  • Example: wmic csproduct get name shows the computer model.
• shutdown : Shuts down or restarts the system.
  • Example: shutdown /r /t 0 restarts the PC immediately.

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6. User Management

These commands allow managing user accounts on the system:

• net user : Manages users.
  • Example: net user Username /add adds a user named "Username".
• whoami : Displays the current user's name.
  • Example: Type whoami to find your user identity.

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7. Advanced Commands

These commands are helpful for troubleshooting or performing specific tasks:

• sfc /scannow : Checks and repairs corrupted system files.
  • Usage: Run as administrator to fix system issues.
• chkdsk : Checks and corrects disk errors.
  • Example: chkdsk C: /f /r scans and repairs the C drive.
• diskpart : Manages disk partitions.
  • Example: Type diskpart followed by list disk to view available disks.
• powercfg : Manages power options.
  • Example: powercfg /hibernate on enables hibernation.

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Tip

You can combine commands with redirections:

• command > file.txt : Saves the output to a file.
  • Example: dir > file_list.txt saves the list of files to "file_list.txt".
• command >> file.txt : Appends the output to an existing file.
  • Example: tasklist >> processes.txt appends active processes to "processes.txt".

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Useful Links

• Microsoft Official Documentation
• Windows Command Tutorials