Being a Windows user you must have used the command prompt at least once just to perform some little tasks.
The following commands are equivalent. They list files in the directory /bin. The program is ls, having three flags (l, t, r), and the argument is the directory /bin: ls -l -t -r /bin ls -ltr /bin The following command displays the contents of the files ch1.txt and ch2.txt. The program name is. Command definition is - to direct authoritatively: order. How to use command in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of command. Linux includes a large number of commands, but we’ve chosen 37 of the most important ones to present here. Learn these commands, and you’ll be much more at home at the Linux command prompt. The below list is presented in alphabetical order. A command’s position in the list is not representative of its usefulness or simplicity.
Not only for these programs but command prompt can be proved quite helpful for you to perform, run or open different programs quickly with going here and there or searching for that program in the Windows search menu.
Hence there are many functions which you can perform just from the command prompt such as create the undeletable folder, hiding some files, getting the name and details of each and every driver installed in our system, compare two files, stop the hidden tasks and so on.
Here is a complete list of 25 Most Useful commands of command prompt every windows user should know. These commands are really interesting and helpful. So, let’s go through the list….
Most Useful commands of command prompt every windows user should know
1. ipconfig
If you want to quickly see your system’s IP address or any other such information the ipconfig command is the best option for you. You can get all the information about your system just by typing one word which is ipconfigand it will display the information about every connection on your system. So, instead of going to control panel and the other options to get the system’s IP address or DNS server just take help of this shortcut.
You only need to start the run command, type cmd and hit enter. Now on the cmd command window simply type ipconfig and hit enter. You will get the details of Lan or any wireless connection connected to our PC.
2. ipconfig/flusshdns
If you want to use a new DNS server then you simply specify the details about the new DNS server in the properties and apply the changes. But do your really think that by doing this would you have completely removed that old DNS server?
Well, no, the DNS server never gets completely removed just by changing the settings as Windows keeps the cache of the DNS server you use for the future access. So, whenever you remove a DNS server its cache remains present on the system and the changes for the new address may not reflect properly causing the system to use that old DNS server.
So, in order to use the new DNS server you need to clear cache of the old one first. And you can achieve this just by typing a basic cmd command i.e. ifconfig/flushdns in the command prompt window and hit enter. It will clear the cache of old DNS server.
3. cipher
Cipher is the shortest command for deleting files permanently from a drive. It removes the files from the specific drive and overwrites the trash files. This will free up space on the drive so that your computer will work fine and you have enough space for saving your data. You should know that even if you delete the data from a drive, it never gets permanently deleted and the cache or trash files remain stick to the drive. So, by using the cipher command you can completely remove data just by a single shot and you will not have to install a third-party tool for doing the same.
You can achieve this just by running the command prompt, typing cipher, specify the drive’s name and hit enter. For example, if you want to remove the data from C drive then the command will be like:
cipher /w:c:
4. ping, tracert
Ping is a great command which you can use to troubleshoot the internet connection issues. It can tell you why you are not able to connect to a website, what are the problems which are hindering you from connecting with that particular website.
So, whenever you use this command to check the issues in connecting a particular website, let’s say google.com, it sends packets to the website. And when the site receives packets it sends you a response. Also, it will tell you about the number of packets sent, how many were received by the site and the time taken by the packet to be received.
Tracert is the another command which provides you the information about the routes a packet takes to reach the destination website. It also shows where the problem is occurring in connecting to the website.
For doing the same simple type tracertand then the website name. For example – tracert google.com
Commands For Crosh
5. recimg
Cmd Commands
Recimg is a cmd command which is used to create custom recovery images. Whenever you install a new Window then you can use this command to create your own recovery images. It will remove all the manufacturer-installed bloatware and add your own desktop programs to your recovery image. So, just type recimg/ createimage image path, for instance : – recimg/createimage c:imagesimage1
6. ASSOC
In the Windows system, there are hundreds of files which are designed to open in a particular program and contains different extensions. But as the number is quite high then it becomes very difficult to remember all of the files associations. But as Windows has provided solution to ever problem then so, this issue also has a quick solution and that is Assoccommand. You can get detail about each file type, their extensions, and program associations.
7. File compare
This command is very useful for the people who are involved in writing and programming profession. File compare command helps you to compare the texts of two different files. It tells you the difference between the text of two version of files. For using this command simply type fc, directory path and then the names of the files which you want to compare. Always remember not to compare more than two files at once.
8. Powercfg
If you want to customize the power usage of your system then Powercfg command is all you need to have. This command provides you the access to the power options provided by the Windows. Simply type powercfg.cpland press the Enter key.
9. Tasklist
The tasklist is the another cmd command which enables you to perform one important function which is displaying the list of all the programs running on your system at that time. But you will say that you can also achieve this just by opening the task manager then let me tell you that tasklist command also shows you the tasks which are hidden from the task manager. This command prompt hack is great in terms of security. Most of the keyloggers or malware run in the background and stay hidden from the task manager.
Tasklist also provides you different modifiers such as tasklist -m show you the location of .dll files of a specific program and tasklist – svc given ou the details about services related to the different tasks.
10. Regedit
If you want to access the hierarchical database of the operating system which is Windows Registry to get details about all the settings and configuration of the operating system and the installed programs in it. You only need to type Regeditin the command prompt window and hit enter.
11. Taskkill
Taskkill is a great command prompt command that helps you to kill a particular task. The good thing is that you can even kill those tasks which are hidden from the task manager and those which are unresponsive etc. To kill a task using Taskkill command you need to type taskkill -im and then type the name of that task and hit enter.
12. driverquery
If you want to get information about each and every driver installed in your system at once then you can use driverquerycommand for the same. It is a quick and the easiest method for doing the same. Also, you will not have to check the drivers by using any third-party application as this two steps method is enough to do the wonders.
13. md con
With the help of this command, you can create undeletable folders. Yes! your read that right. Windows allows you to create the undeletable folder which you can’t directly delete. For creating such folder you need to run a command which is md con in the command prompt. So, for doing so, simply type the drive name where you want to create the folder in and then type md con. The folder will be created at the very moment with the same name.
14. telnet
We need telnet command when we want to communicate with a remote computer. But telnet never gets installed by default and you have to manually install it. So, after installing it on your server you will need to connect to the telnet server which can be only done by telnet command.
15. pathping
IPathping is the advanced version of the ping command which provides you to check and troubleshoot the problems occurring in connecting to a site. It is quite helpful for you if there are multiple routers connected to your system and the device you want to check. Pathping also provides you some details about the routes of the packets which you can get from the ping command.
16. netstat – an
If you want to get some details about the all the network connected to your system then netstat is the most useful command for this purpose. Netstate provides you many subcommands that can be used for different purposes. And for getting the details about the networks, we use the netstat-an command. Hence for using this command simply type netstate – anon your system’s command prompt window and hit enter. It will show you a complete list of networks with their local and foreign IP addresses.
17. sfc/scannow
This command will help you a lot if you are facing some issues with your Windows file system. It scans each and every file of Windows file system and checks if there is any problem or issue in a particular file. If it finds any issue then it repairs that file automatically. So, for using this command simply run the command prompt window and type sfc/scannow and hit enter.
18. Hide folders from the command prompt
Another command prompt hack. Yes! you can hide files and folders directly from the command prompt. For hiding some files and folders by using command prompt simply type the drive name where the folder is located, type attrib -h -s -r and then type the name of the file or folder which you want to hide and at last hit the enter key.
19. powershell
Powershell is a great alternative for the command prompt window. So, if you have got bored of your command prompt window and want to experience some different application for the same purpose then PowerShell is here for you. You only need to open the run window, type Powershell and hit enter. The PowerShell window will open immediately.
20. mrt
Windows provides you Windows malicious software removal for free. But these programs run in the background and Windows upgrades it ever month. So, if you want to run this program manually then use mrtcommand. Run the command prompt and type mrtthen hit the enter key. It will open the program immediately.
21. sysdm.cpl
If you quickly want to open the system properties then instead of searching for that just use sysdm.cpl command in the command prompt which will instantly open the system properties window for just withing few seconds.
22. lusrmgr.msc
For opening and editing the different properties of users and groups, you can simply take help of lusrmgr.msc. This command opens the Local users and group manager and you can edit the properties as per your desire. Just type lusrmgr.msc in the command prompt window and press the enter key.
23. perfmon.msc
Perform.msc command is one of the best commands you can use. This command helps you to get the details about the performance of your Windows PC. Along with the performance, it will also show how a program effects the performance of Windows when you run it. It provides enough data about the Windows system performance.
You only need to find the run application, type perfmon.msc and hit enter.
24. appwiz.cpl
Now you don’t have to first search the control panel and then programs to install or uninstall a software. As appwiz.cpl command is all you need to know. This command quickly opens the Programs and features window. There you can easily install or uninstall a particular program. You only need to type appwiz.cpl in the command prompt and then press enter. The program & features window will be in front of you.
25. devmgmt.msc
Directly open the device manager from the command prompt. In the device manager window, you can manage all the hardware devices connected to your system. Just open the command prompt, type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
Bonus trick
Well, you can also make your command prompt window a fancy one. It allows you to change the background color, text color and even you can make the background transparent to provide it a stylish look. So, ditch that old and boring look of command prompt and convert it into an awesome one. You only need to right-click on the top bar of the window and select the properties option. After that, you can customize your command prompt in your way.
So, these were some of the useful commands which help you to perform different functions quickly. Also, if you know some other such commands then don’t hesitate to share them with us.