Windows Command Prompt Commands You Should Know:

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 create a new system BCD store.

BCDEDIT

Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.

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 usernames 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.