Most of us rely on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) as it’s more convenient than memorizing the traditional command lines. But one thing is certain—you may’t perform every task in the Windows GUI, and that’s when Command Prompt can be at your service.
This built-in command line interface can produce immediate outputs using simple commands with fewer computer resources. This way, you do not have to navigate through different windows just to get a single task done. With this program, you may perform advanced administrative functions or troubleshoot different Windows issues on your own!
In this article, I will discuss 50 commands you must know to master Command Prompt. But if you’re relatively new to this utility, I advise checking ourbeginner’s guidefirst.
Before deep diving into the major commands, I’ll start with the basic ones. Whether you’re planning to use Command Prompt extensively or just for general purposes, these are going to be useful.
This command simplyclears the Command Prompt screen. If you feel toclear up the working spaceafter executing too many commands, it can be extremely helpful. All you have to do is typeclsand hit Enter.
If you’re planning toclose the Command Promptapplication, you do not require moving the cursor to press the Close button. Simply run the exit command and the program quits.
you may also utilize the/bparameter toexit from the loaded batch script. This way, the main window remains open and only the batch file is exited. However, if you use the parameter outside the script, it will exit the CMD app.
This command comes in handy if you come across any command and wish to know its function. It provides you with thesyntax along with the different parameters(switches).
If you simply execute help, it displays a list of the common commands used in Command Prompt.
However, not all commands support this utility. In that case, you may utilize the/?parameter and this should work for every command.
It simply means ‘Change Directory’ and as the name suggests, itswitches you from the current directorybased on the specified path.
If you simply execute cd, it will just display the name of your current directory. Therefore, it’s important to learn the different parameters along with their functions and syntax:
This commandcopies the outputexecuted from a certain command into the Windows clipboard. In this way, you may directly copy the data into any other program.
It’s extremely useful to directlycopy the text or script fileswithout opening them. Here are the parameters associated with it:
Command Prompt offers the quickest way toview the version number of Windowsusing a simple command. This way, you may determine whether the latest Windows version is installed on your computer.
