Windows CMD Commands: Mastering the Command Prompt

Introduction

The Windows operating system includes over 280 CMD (Command Prompt) commands. These commands enable users to interact directly with the OS and perform various troubleshooting and IT automation tasks.

Many CMD commands work on specific Windows desktop versions, while others are only available for Windows Server editions.

This extensive guide lists all Windows CMD commands and provides hands-on examples of the most commonly used ones.

Prerequisites

• Access to the command prompt (CMD).
• Administrator privileges (for some commands).

Essential Command Prompt Commands

Commands are built-in programs that run through the Command Prompt program. The main use for commands is to automate various tasks, such as user provisioning and other routine actions.

Below is an overview of essential Windows CMD (Command Prompt) commands. Every command has a brief explanation and an example use case.

1. arp Command

The arp (Address Resolution Protocol) command shows and modifies entries in the ARP cache. The cache contains one or multiple tables that map IP addresses to physical (MAC) addresses for devices on the local network.

The syntax for the command is:

arp [options] [address]

Without any parameters, the arp command shows the help window.

To show the ARP cache table, run the following command:

arp -a

The output lists all the current ARP entries grouped by network interface.

2. assoc Command

The assoc (association) command lists and modifies file extension associations on the system. The syntax for the command is:

assoc .[extension]=[filetype]

Without any parameters, the command prints the current file extension associations.

Use the assoc command to view, change, or remove file associations. For example, to view the .log file associations, enter:

assoc .log

Change the file association with:

assoc .log=txtfile

Alternatively, to remove all file associations for files with the .log extension, use:

assoc .log= 

Add a space after the equals sign to remove the association.

3. attrib Command

The attrib (attribute) command displays or changes file attributes. The possible attributes are:

• R - Read-only.
• H - Hidden.
• S - System file.

The syntax for the attrib command is:

attrib [+/-] [attribute] [file_or_directory]

Use the plus sign (+) to set an attribute or the minus sign (-) to remove an attribute from a file. Without any options, the command shows the file attributes in the current directory.

To set a file to have the read-only (R) and hidden (H) attributes, use the following command:

attrib +R +H sample_file.txt

To make a file visible, remove the hidden (H) attribute:

attrib -H sample_file.txt

The minus (-) removes the attribute from the file and returns the file to the default visible state.

4. bcdboot Command

The bcdboot (Boot Configuration Data Boot) command sets up a system partition by copying BCD files into an empty partition.

The syntax for the command is:

bcdboot [path]

For example, to copy the BCD files into C:\Windows, use:

bcdboot C:\Windows

The message confirms the file has been created.

5. cd Command

The cd (change directory) command shows or changes the current location. The syntax for the command is:

cd [directory]

The directory parameter is optional, and without it, the command prints the current working directory.

For example, to change the location to a directory named Public, add the directory name after the command:

cd Public

The prompt reflects the change and shows the new location.

To change the location to a different drive, add the /d option before the path. For example, to change to drive S:\ use:

cd /d S:

cd only displays the path without switching to the specified drive if the /d option is not used.

To change to the parent directory one level up, use the following shortcut:

cd ..

The current directory changes to the parent of the previous location.

6. chkdsk Command

The chkdsk command scans the local file system and metadata for errors. The syntax for checking a disk is:

chkdsk [volume] [options]

Without additional parameters, chkdsk displays the current disk state without fixing any errors.

Additional parameters allow you to fix errors on a disk, for example, the /f option:

chkdsk [volume] /f

The command attempts to fix errors on the disk. If the disk is in use, run the check on the next system restart. Interrupting chkdsk while it's running is generally safe, but it’s recommended to complete the scan later to address potential data corruption.

7. choice Command

The choice command prompts a user to choose an answer from a list of options. Without any parameters, the command prompts the user to choose between Y and N options.

Additional options control the number of choices and the prompt text. For example, to add a third choice, use the /c parameter and list the three option names:

choice /c ync

Insert additional text to explain the available options with the /m parameter. For example:

choice /c ync /m "Yes, No, Continue"

In all cases, the command returns the choice index and exits.

8. cipher Command

The cipher command shows and modifies the encryption status of files or directories on NTFS file systems. The command syntax is:

cipher [options] [file_or_directory]

Without any options, cipher shows the encryption state for all files and directories in the current location. The U represents "unencrypted," whereas E is "encrypted."

To encrypt a file in the current directory, use the /e parameter:

cipher /e [file name]

The file's indicator changes from U to E to mark the file as encrypted.

9. clip Command

The clip command copies a command output or file contents to the Windows clipboard. The syntax for copying a command's output in CMD is:

[command] | clip

For example, to copy the current directory path, pipe the cd command to clip:

cd | clip

Paste the contents anywhere in the window using CTRL+V (or right-click in CMD).

To copy the contents of a file, use redirection:

clip < [filename]

For example, to copy the contents of a sample.txt file to the clipboard, run:

clip < sample.txt

The file's contents are saved to the clipboard, so you can paste them anywhere.

10. cls Command

The cls command clears the text in a command prompt window and returns a blank surface. Use the command to clear the screen contents.

Note that the previous contents and output cannot be restored.

11. cmd Command

The cmd command starts a new instance of the command interpreter. Use the following syntax to run the command:

cmd [options] [command]

Without additional parameters, the cmd command shows the current cmd.exe program version.

Use cmd to run commands without affecting the current session. For example, to test a command and return to the current command interpreter session, use the /c parameter:

cmd /c cd ..

The new interpreter changes the directory. However, the /c tag ensures the interpreter returns to the original session, and the directory stays unchanged.

To run a command and stay in the new session, use the /k parameter:

cmd /k cd ..

The /k parameter switches to the new session and runs the cd command to switch to the parent directory.

12. color Command

The color command changes the default console background and text colors. The command syntax is:

color [background][font]

The color attributes are hexadecimal numbers from 0 to f. The help window displays all the possible color options:

help color

For example, to change the background to blue (1) and the font to light aqua (b), run:

color 1b

To return to the default console colors, run the color command without options.

13. comp Command

The comp command compares the contents of two files. The program inspects file bytes and outputs characters where the two files differ.

The syntax for the command is:

comp [file 1] [file 2] [options]

Without any options, the comp command starts an interactive prompt to enter file names and additional options.

To demonstrate how the command works, compare two text files with the following contents:

• sample_file_1.txt contains test
• sample_file_2.txt contains text

Run the comp command and provide the two file names:

comp sample_file_1.txt sample_file_2.txt

The output prints the comparison error as characters in hexadecimal format and asks to compare more files (enter N to exit).

To print the comp results in human-readable format, use the /a option:

comp /a sample_file_1.txt sample_file_2.txt

The comparison fails at character s in the first file and character x in the second file.

14. compact Command

The compact command is a built-in feature for compressing files and folders. The syntax for the command is:

compact [options] [file_or_directory]

Without any options or parameters, compact displays the compression state in the current directory.

To compress a file, use the /c parameter and provide the file name:

compact /c sample_file.txt

To uncompress a file, use the /u parameter:

compact /u sample_file_1.txt

The sample_file_1.txt file is returned to its previous, uncompressed state. Use the compact command to save disk space and compress large files and directories.

15. copy Command

The copy command copies one or multiple files from one location to another. The command syntax is:

copy [options] [source] [destination]

For example, to copy a file's contents into a new file in the same location, use:

copy sample_file.txt sample_file_copy.txt

The command creates the new file and copies all the contents from the source file.

16. date Command

The date command shows and modifies the current date on the system. Without any parameters, the command prints the current date and requests to enter a new date:

date

Enter the date as mm-dd-yyyy to change the current date on the system or exit with CTRL+C.

Use the /t parameter to avoid modifying the system state and only print the current date:

date /t

The command shows the day of the week and the current date.

17. defrag Command

The defrag (defragmentation) command finds and aggregates fragmented files on the system. The command reduces unnecessary empty data blocks and improves system performance.

The syntax for the defrag command is:

defrag [volumes] [options]

For example, to defragment the C:\ drive, run:

defrag C:\ /u /v

The /u parameter displays progress updates, while /v provides a verbose output. These parameters are optional.

18. del and erase Commands

The del and erase commands delete one or more files. The syntax for the commands is:

del [options] [file(s)]

erase [options] [files(s)]

Both commands permanently delete the specified file or files from a disk and are irretrievable.

For example, to delete a file with the name sample.txt, run:

del sample.txt

Or alternatively:

erase sample.txt

To avoid accidental deletion, use the /p parameter:

del /p sample.txt

The output shows a prompt with the file name and requires confirmation before deleting the file.

19. dir Command

The dir (directory) command lists directory contents, including files and subdirectories. The syntax for the command is:

dir [drive][path][filename] [options]

The dir command without options shows information for the current directory.

To show the C:\ drive contents, run:

dir C:\

The output shows the following information:

• Volume label and drive letter.
• Volume serial number.
• Directory contents with modification time.
• File and directory count with their combined size.

20. diskpart Command

The diskpart command is a disk partitioning tool used to create, delete, and format partitions.

Enter the following command to access the diskpart interface:

diskpart

Once in diskpart, use the following command to list all disks:

list disk

The interface displays all available disks on the system and allows you to use diskpart commands to manage partitions.

21. DISM Command

The Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) command is used to service and manage Windows images. It required administrator privileges. The command is useful for repairing system files or preparing images for deployment.

The general syntax for the DISM command is:

DISM /[target_image] /[operation] /[option]

For example, to repair corrupted files on the current Windows instance, use the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM is often used alongside the sfc command to ensure system integrity.

22. doskey Command

The doskey command starts the Doskey.exe program for the previously entered commands. The command helps recall command history and create macros.

For example, to see the command history from the current command prompt session, run:

doskey /history

The output shows all the commands from the CMD session from oldest to newest.

23. driverquery Command

The driverquery command displays the installed device drivers and their information. The command works for both local and remote access machines.

The syntax for the command is:

driverquery [options]

Without options, driverquery shows device drivers on the local machine. Additional options control the output format or allow users to query remote machine drivers.

24. echo Command

The echo command prints a message to the console and controls command echoing in scripts. The syntax for the command is:

echo [message]

Without parameters, the command shows the current settings.

To display a "Hello, world!" message, enter:

echo "Hello, world!"

The echo command often appears in scripts to print useful information while the script runs.

25. exit Command

The exit command ends the current batch script or the command interpreter session. The syntax for the command is:

exit [/b]

• Use the /b parameter to exit a batch script but keep the Command Prompt session open.
• Without the /b option, the exit command closes the Command Prompt session entirely.

26. fc Command

The fc (file compare) command compares two or more files and displays their differences.

The syntax for fc is:

fc [options] [file1] [file2] 

For example, to compare two sample files, sample_file_1.txt and sample_file_2.txt, run:

fc sample_file_1.txt sample_file_2.txt

The command prints the file contents, indicating a difference between the two files.

27. find Command

The find command searches for a string within a file and prints matching lines. The command syntax is:

find ["string"] [file]

For example, to search for the string "text" in a file, use:

find "text" [file]

The command looks for an exact match and returns the file name along with the line of text that contains the string. If a file does not contain the text, the command returns the file name without the text.

28. findstr Command

The findstr (find string) command performs a similar task to the find command. The command returns the whole line where the text is located without the file name. This feature makes it more convenient for use in scripts.

The command syntax is:

findstr ["string"] [file]

For example, to find a string "text" in a file, run:

findstr "text" [file]

If the command does not return a result, the string is not in the file.

29. ftype Command

The ftype (file type) command shows and changes a file type and extension association. The command syntax is:

ftype [filetype]=[open_command]

The filetype parameter is the file to show or modify (such as txtfile), while the open_command option is a string that calls a program to read the file type. The open_command string substitutes the file name into the open command to run a file in the provided program.

Without any options, ftype prints all file types and extension associations.

To show the current file type and extension association for text files, enter:

ftype txtfile

To remove file type association, append an (=) sign:

ftype txtfile=

The command omits the program for opening files and removes the program association.

30. getmac Command

The getmac command retrieves MAC addresses for all network cards on the computer or in the network. Additionally, it displays the network transport protocols associated with each MAC address.

The syntax is:

getmac [options]

Adding options provide detailed information about a remote computer or control the output display. For example, to show the MAC addresses in the CSV format, use:

getmac /fo csv

Use the command to parse the MAC address to a network monitoring tool or to check the protocols on network adapters.

31. help Command

The help command shows detailed information about a specific command. Without any parameters, help lists all available system commands.

The syntax for the command is:

help [command]

For example, to view the help menu for the cd command, run:

help cd

Use any key to go through the pages if the help page is larger than the command line window. Alternatively, press CTRL+C to exit.

[command] /?

32. hostname Command

The hostname command displays a machine's host name. Run the command to see the name of the current machine:

hostname

The command does not have options, and providing additional parameters results in an error. The hostname command is available for systems with TCP/IP installed on a network adapter.

33. ipconfig Command

The ipconfig (IP configuration) command is a networking tool that shows all current TCP/IP network configuration information. The command also refreshes DHCP and DNS settings.

The syntax for the command is:

ipconfig [options]

Omitting options shows the basic TCP/IP configuration for all adapters:

ipconfig

To show the full TCP/IP configuration for all adapters, run:

ipconfig /all

Renew the DHCP IP address for the local area connection with:

ipconfig /renew Local Area Connection

To flush the DNS cache, use:

ipconfig /flushdns

Use the command when troubleshooting DNS and network connectivity issues.

34. label Command

The label command shows, changes, or removes the volume label (name) of a disk. The command requires administrator privileges to perform any changes.

Without any options, the label command shows the label for the C:\ drive and starts a prompt to change the name:

label

Press Enter to remove the label, or enter a new name to change the current label name. Confirm the change with Y or press N to keep the existing name.

35. makecab Command

The makecab command creates a cabinet (.cab) file. Cabinet files are an archive format specific to Windows systems with support for lossless data compression and archive integrity.

Use the following syntax to create .cab files with the makecab command:

makecab [options] [source] [destination]

For example, to create a sample_cab.cab file in the current directory and add a sample_file.txt file to the archive, use:

makecab sample_file.txt sample_cab.cab

The output shows the compression progress and exits when done.

36. md and mkdir Commands

The md and mkdir (make directory) commands create a new directory or subdirectory. The command syntax is:

md [path]

mkdir [path]

For example, to make a new subdirectory called Subdir in the current location, run:

mkdir Subdir

The command extensions enable md and mkdir to create a directory tree:

md Subdir\Subsubdir

The command immediately creates all intermediate subdirectories in the specified path.

37. mklink Command

The mklink (make link) command creates a hard or symbolic link to a file or directory. The command requires administrator privileges to run and uses the following syntax:

mklink [options] [link] [target]

Without any additional options, the mlink command creates a symbolic link to a file. For example:

mklink my_link sample_file.txt

To create a hard link instead of a symbolic link, use the /h parameter:

mklink /h my_link sample_file.txt

Create a symbolic link to a directory with the /d parameter:

mklink /d \Docs \Users\user1\Documents

The dir command shows the links in the directory listing. To enter the directory, use the cd command and treat the link as a regular directory (cd Docs).

38. more Command

The more command is a Windows CMD utility for displaying long documents or outputs one screen at a time. To use more with a command, use the pipe (|) character:

[command] | more [options]

Alternatively, use the command to display long files page by page:

more [path]

For example, to view the output of the help cd command one screen at a time, use:

help cd | more

Press Enter to go to the following line and Space to go to the next page. To exit, press q.

39. mountvol Command

The mountvol command creates, removes, or shows a volume mount point. Mounting a volume makes data on a storage device available for local users through the file system.

The command syntax is:

mountvol [path] [volume_name]

The command does not require a drive letter to link a volume. Without any parameters, the mountvol command shows the help menu, mount points, and possible volume names.

For example, to list the volume name and current mount point for the C:\ drive, enter:

mountvol C:\ /l

The output shows the Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) for the volume, which uniquely identifies the volume.

40. move Command

The move command transfers files or directories from one location to another. The syntax for the command is:

move [options] [source] [destination]

The source and destination are either a folder or a file. The move command renames a file if the source and destination locations are the same but have different file names.

For example, the following command renames a file named sample_file.txt to file.txt:

move sample_file.txt file.txt

Provide the full path to move a file to another location:

move C:\Users\Public\Downloads\my_file.txt C:\Users\Public\Desktop\my_file.txt 

When overwriting an existing file, the command prompts for confirmation unless the command runs as part of a batch script.

41. msiexec Command

The msiexec program runs the Windows Installer program for installing, managing, and removing .msi software packages. The command syntax is:

msiexec [options] [path_to_package]

The program features various install, display, update, and repair options. Without any options, the msiexec command opens a window to show the command information.

For example, to perform a normal installation of a .msi package, run:

msiexec /i "C:\example.msi"

The /i option indicates a normal installation of the .msi package located at the provided path.

42. msinfo32 Command

The msinfo32 command opens the System Information window, which displays detailed information about the system.

The command syntax is:

msinfo32 [options]

Additional options filter the information or export data into specific file formats. For example, to export all system information into an .nfo file, use:

msinfo /nfo sysinfo.nfo

The command automatically appends the .nfo extension if omitted.

43. mstsc Command

The mstsc command launches the RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) program to connect to a remote machine. Use the command for remote connection or to alter an existing .rdp file.

The command syntax is:

mstsc [options] [file]

For example, to start an RDC session in full-screen mode, use this command:

mstsc /f

To edit an existing connection, use the /edit parameter and provide the file name:

mstsc /edit example.rdp

User-created .rdp files are stored in the Documents folder by default.

44. net Commands

net commands are a set of tools for managing various network aspects, such as users and network services.

The command syntax is:

net [subcommand] [options]

Without additional parameters, the net command shows all available subcommands with a short description.

Use the net start command to list all running Windows services:

net start

To stop a service, use the following command:

net stop [service]

View the login and password requirements for a user with the following:

net accounts

Display additional help for a subcommand using the following syntax:

net help [subcommand]

The output shows a help window with detailed information for the provided subcommand.

45. netstat Command

The netstat (network statistics) command is an essential command for network administrators. The command lets you view connection details and various network statistics.

The basic syntax for the command is:

netstat [options]

The command displays active TCP connections when used without options. The output shows the protocol, local and foreign addresses, and the TCP connection state.

Add the -a option to display all active TCP connections and listening TCP and UDP ports:

netstat -a

Use the command to scan for open ports or to check the port protocol type.

46. nslookup Command

The nslookup command is a DNS diagnostic tool to query DNS records for web servers. The command features a non-interactive mode for looking up a single piece of information and an interactive mode for looking up additional data.

The syntax for nslookup is:

nslookup [host] [command] [options]

Without any options, nslookup enters interactive mode. To find DNS records for a specific domain name, use:

nslookup [domain]

The output prints the A records for the provided domain.

47. path Command

The path command modifies the PATH environment variable. The variable contains a set of directories that point to executable files.

The command syntax looks like the following:

path [location]

Without any parameters, path shows the current state of the PATH variable.

To add multiple locations to PATH, separate each location with a semicolon (;) as in the following example:

path [location 1]; [location 2]

Both locations append to the variable.

48. ping Command

The ping command is an essential network troubleshooting tool used to test connectivity with another machine by sending ICMP request messages.

The syntax for the command is:

ping [options] [host]

For example, to check connectivity to the phoenixNAP website, use:

ping phoenixnap.com

The output prints corresponding reply messages and round-trip times. Use the command to check for connectivity and name resolution issues.

49. powercfg Command

The powercfg (power configure) command runs the powercfg.exe program to manage system power plans. It also helps troubleshoot battery life and energy efficiency problems on a device.

The command syntax is:

powercfg [options] [arguments]

To list available power plans on a device, use:

powercfg /list

The output lists all power schemes on the system. The active power scheme has an asterisk (*).

50. powershell Command

The powershell command opens a PowerShell session within the CMD to provide access to advanced scripting and management features.

Enter the following command to invoke PowerShell from CMD:

powershell

You can now run PowerShell commands. For example, the following PowerShell command lists running processes:

Get-Process

The output displays a list of active processes. To leave the PowerShell prompt and return to the CMD, type:

exit

Using PowerShell through CMD lets you quickly switch to a more robust scripting environment without leaving the session window.

51. prompt Command

The prompt command customizes the CMD prompt display to a specified string. By default, the prompt shows the current location and the greater-than sign (>).

The command syntax is:

prompt [string_and_variables]

The prompt command supports various variables to add special characters or features. For example, to change the prompt to an arrow, use:

prompt --$g

The $g variable represents the greater-than sign (>). The prompt custom stays active during the command-line session.

52. rd and rmdir Commands

The rd and rmdir commands remove an empty directory from the system. The syntax for the commands is:

rd [path]

rmdir [path]

Attempting to delete a directory with files results in an error message. Add the /s parameter to delete a directory with subdirectories and files:

rd /s [path]

The command deletes the complete subdirectory tree and all files.

53. ren and rename Commands

The ren and rename commands rename files or directories. The syntax for the two commands is:

ren [path][old_name] [new_name]

rename [path][old_name] [new_name]

The commands do not allow moving the files to a different location. Wildcard characters work for multiple files. For example, to change all .txt files to .c files, use:

ren *.txt *.c

The asterisk (*) wildcard matches all .txt files in the current directory and renames the files to have the .c extension.

54. robocopy Command

The robocopy command is a powerful tool for copying files and directories. The syntax for the command is:

robocopy [source] [destination] [file] [options]

The main benefit when using robocopy is the /mt parameter for higher-performance multithreading. Additionally, the /z parameter lets you restart a transfer in case of interruptions.

An example transfer looks like the following:

robocopy C:\Users\user\Downloads C:\Users\user\Documents database.db /mt /z

Use the command for large file transfers that are sensitive to interruptions.

55. route Command

The route command shows and alters entries in the local routing table. The command syntax is:

route [options] [command] [value]

Available commands include:

• add - Adds a route entry to the table.
• change - Modifies an entry in the table.
• delete - Removes a route from the table.
• print - Displays a route or routes.

For example, to print all routes from the table, use:

route print 

The output shows the interface list, as well as the IPv4 and IPv6 routing tables.

56. sc Command

The sc (service control) command allows users to manage Windows services without opening the Services Manager. Users can start, stop, query, and configure services from the command line.

The syntax for the sc command is:

sc query [service_name]

For example, to check the status of the Windows Update service, run:

sc query wuauserv

The output shows details about the service, including its status.

57. schtasks Commands

The schtasks command schedules commands or programs to run on the system at specified times or periodically and is often used to set up cron jobs. The syntax for the commands is:

schtasks /[subcommand]

The following subcommands are available:

• change - Modifies existing properties of a task.
• create - Creates a new task.
• delete - Removes a task.
• end - Stops a program started by a task.
• query - Prints scheduled tasks on the machine.
• run - Starts a scheduled task.

For example, to show currently scheduled tasks on the system, use:

schtasks /query

The output displays task names, next run times, and task statuses.

58. set Command

The set command shows, sets, and removes environment variables in the CMD. The syntax for the command is:

set [variable]=[value]

Without additional parameters, the set command shows all environment variables.

The variables are available to use with any command. For example, to create a new CMD variable called message, use:

set message="Hello, world!"

Reference the variable using the following syntax:

echo %message%

Encasing the variable in the percent signs (%) reads the value and outputs it to the screen.

59. sfc Command

The sfc (System File Checker) is an administrator command for checking protected file version integrity. It also replaces incorrect overwritten protected files with the correct file version.

The syntax for the command is:

sfc [options] [file_or_directory]

For example, to scan the system and repair all files, use:

sfc /scannow

The command scans all protected system files and repairs problematic files when possible.

60. shutdown Command

The shutdown command restarts or shuts down a local or remote computer. The command syntax is:

shutdown [options]

Without any arguments, the shutdown command opens the help menu. To restart the computer, use the /r option:

shutdown /r

To shut down without restarting, use the /s argument:

shutdown /s

In both cases, the shutdown is not immediate. To cancel the action, use the /a option:

shutdown /a

The option ensures that a previously executed shutdown command is aborted.

61. sort Command

The sort command allows sorting provided data from a file or user input. Additional options control the sorting mechanism and from which point to start sorting.

To use the command interactively, do the following:

1. Run sort without any options.

2. Enter a new word in each line.

3. Press CTRL+Z and Enter at the end of the list to sort the input values alphabetically.

Alternatively, use the sort command on files:

sort sample_file.txt

The command sorts the file contents and prints the result to the console.

62. start Command

The start command opens a new Command Prompt window according to the specified options. The command syntax is:

start [title] [options]

For example, to open a new Command Prompt session with the title "Hello, world!" and set the path to C:\. enter the following command:

start "Hello, world!" /d C:\

A new CMD window opens with the starting path on the C:\ drive and a custom title.

63. systeminfo Command

The systeminfo command displays detailed system information about the OS and computer, including hardware properties. The command works on both local and remote machines.

Use the command without options to show the local system information:

systeminfo

Additional options allow you to retrieve system information for remote computers or control the output format. For example, show the output in CSV format with:

systeminfo /fo csv

Different formats enable you to effectively parse the information through scripts.

64. takeown Command

The takeown (take ownership) command allows an administrator account to take ownership of a file. It provides access to a file for an administrator and makes the administrator the owner.

Add the /f option and specify the file name:

takeown /f [file]

The administrator now has full permissions over the file.

65. taskkill Command

The taskkill command terminates a running process or task on the Windows system through the command line. It is useful for forcefully ending unresponsive processes.

The syntax for the command is:

taskkill [options] [task_or_process]

A common way to end a task is to find the process ID (PID) with the tasklist command and end the process with:

taskkill /pid [Process ID]

The command finds the process by ID and forcibly stops it.

66. tasklist Command

The tasklist command shows all running processes on a local or remote computer and their memory usage. It helps identify and reference specific processes.

The syntax for tasklist is:

tasklist [options]

Without additional options, the command shows all currently running processes.

The image name and PID are unique identifiers for a process. The final column shows the memory usage for a process. This is a good indicator for identifying processes that slow down the system.

67. telnet Command

The telnet command is a Windows tool for bidirectional CLI communication. The tool uses the Telnet protocol to send messages and enable an interactive communication channel with remote devices.

The syntax for the command is:

telnet [command] [option]

See our detailed guide for using Telnet on Windows.

68. time Command

The time command manages and displays the current system time. Without any options, the command prints the current time and prompts to enter a new time:

time

Enter a new time to change the system time or exit the prompt using CTRL+C. Use the /t option to avoid making modifications:

time /t

The command prints the current time and returns to the command line.

69. timeout Command

The timeout command pauses the command line for a specified number of seconds. The syntax for the command is:

timeout /t [seconds]

For example, to pause the interpreter for ten seconds, run:

timeout /t 10

The output counts down and returns to the command line. Press any key to interrupt the timeout earlier. Use the command in scripts to wait for execution between two commands.

70. title Command

The title command is a simple utility for changing the title of the Command Prompt window. The syntax is:

title [string]

For example, to set the title to "Hello, world!", use:

title "Hello, world!"

The CMD window title changes to the provided string. Use the command when running multiple batch scripts to distinguish between different command prompts.

71. tracert Command

The tracert (traceroute) command is a networking tool that maps the path from a local computer to a destination. It sends ICMP messages with increasing TTL values to map routers along the path.

The syntax for tracert is:

tracert [option] [destination]

For example, to trace the path to phoenixnap.com, use:

tracert phoenixnap.com

Alternatively, use the IP address of the destination.

The output shows the hops between the source and destination, providing an IP address and name resolution where applicable. Use the command to discover connectivity issues to a host.

72. tree Command

The tree command displays the contents inside a drive or directory in a tree-like structure. The syntax is:

tree [option] [path]

Without options, the tree command displays the directory structure of the C:\ drive.

73. type Command

The type command displays the contents of a file directly in the Command Prompt without modifying it.

The syntax for the type command is:

type [file_path]

For example, to show the contents of the file called sample_file.txt, run:

type sample_file.txt

The output prints the file's contents to the command line. Use this command to preview files directly in the command prompt.

74. tzutil Command

The tzutil (time zone utility) command modifies and displays the system's timezone settings.

Display the current time zone with:

tzutil /g

The output shows the time zone ID. List all available time zone IDs with:

tzutil /l | more

The more command helps truncate long outputs. Use the /s parameter and provide the time zone ID to change the system timezone.

75. ver Command

The ver command is a simple utility to show the operating system version. To display the OS version, enter:

ver

The output displays the OS version and returns to the command line.

76. vol Command

The vol command prints the disk volume label and serial number. The syntax for the command is:

vol [drive]:

Without a specified drive, the vol command shows information for the currently selected drive.

77. where Command

The where command locates a file based on the search pattern and displays its path in the command line. The syntax for the command is:

where [options] [search_location] [filename]

Omitting the location searches for the file in the current directory without going through subdirectories. To perform a recursive search, add the /r parameter. For example:

where /r C:\ sample_file.txt

The command searches the C:\ drive and all subdirectories. If the file is found, the command returns the its full location path.

78. whoami Command

The whoami command shows the current user's domain and username. The syntax for the command is:

whoami [option]

Without options, the command shows the domain and user name.

Add the /all parameter to show detailed information for the current user:

whoami /all

The user's name, security ID, groups, and privileges are displayed.

79. wmic Command

The wmic (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) is used to query hardware details, software configurations, and access other system information and settings.

The syntax for the wmic command is:

wmic [alias] [where_clause] [get/set/call] [property]

• alias - Specifies the area of the system to query (e.g., cpu, os, product).
• where clause - Adds conditions to narrow down the query.
• operation - Defines the action, typically get (retrieve), set (modify), or call (execute an action).
• property - Lists specific properties to display, retrieve, or modify.

For example, to get a list of all installed applications, enter:

wmic product get name

The output shows a list of installed programs.

80. xcopy Command

The xcopy command copies files, directories, and subdirectories from one location to another. The syntax for the command is:

xcopy [source] [destination] [options]

For example, use the following command to copy contents from one location to another, including subdirectories (even if empty):

xcopy [source] [destination] /s /e

The /s parameter copies subdirectories, while /e includes empty directories. If any files with the same name exist in the destination, the command prompts before overwriting.

Windows CMD Commands Cheat Sheet

The essential commands are available in a single-page cheat sheet in PDF format. Save the cheat sheet for future use and reference by clicking the Download Windows CMD Commands Cheat Sheet button below.

Other Command Prompt Commands

The commands listed in the table are used less frequently by regular Windows users. IT professionals rely on these commands to manage Windows Servers, troubleshoot system processes, configure network settings, and perform other specialized tasks in a business environment:

Deprecated and Obsolete CMD Commands

Over the years, many CMD commands have been replaced with modern alternatives, and some do not work in the latest Windows releases. However, older industrial machines, medical devices, ATMs, or even gaming enthusiasts may still operate machines that run on MS-DOS, Windows 95, and other obsolete systems.

The following table lists deprecated and obsolete CMD commands:

Conclusion

After reading this comprehensive guide, you have a solid overview of nearly 300 Windows CMD commands and can perform a wide range of system tasks.

You can use CMD commands to set up cron jobs in Windows and automate repetitive everyday tasks.