Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (2024)

Instructions

Table of Contents:

  1. What is the Command Prompt
  2. How to Access Command Prompt
  3. Commonly Used Commands
  4. Frequently Asked Question's and Links

What is the Command Prompt

In Windows operating systems, the Command Prompt is a program that emulates the input field in a text-based user interface screen with the Windows Graphical User Interface (UI).

It can be used to perform entered commands and perform advanced administrative functions. It can also be used to troubleshoot and solve certain kinds of Windows issues.

Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (1)
Figure 1: Command Prompt Window

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How to Open the Command Prompt

Dependent on which operating system you have installed, select the Tab that corresponds to your version of Windows.

NOTE: The examples below show how to open an Elevated Command Prompt. This means opening the Command Prompt with administrator rights.

  • Windows 8 or 8.1
  • Windows 10

Open Command Prompt in Windows 8 / 8.1

  1. Move the mouse pointer to the bottom-left corner of the screen and Right-click, or press Windows key + X.

  2. In the power user task menu, select Command Prompt (Admin) (Figure 5).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (2)
    Figure 5: Power user task menu
  3. This opens the Command Prompt window (Figure 6).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (3)
    Figure 6: Windows 8 Command Prompt
  4. To change to the Root directory type cd\ and hit Enter (Figure 7).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (4)
    Figure 7: Command Prompt at Root directory

    NOTE: The Root directory is the best place to enter any required commands or instructions.

Open Command Prompt in Windows 10

  1. Move the mouse pointer to the bottom-left corner of the screen and Right-click, or press Windows key + X.

  2. In the power user task menu, select Command Prompt (Admin) (Figure 8).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (5)
    Figure 8: Power user task menu
  3. This opens the Command Prompt window (Figure 9).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (6)
    Figure 9: Windows 10 Command Prompt
  4. To change to the Root directory type cd\ and press Enter (Figure 10).


    Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (7)
    Figure 10: Command Prompt at Root directory

    NOTE: The Root directory is the best place to enter any required commands or instructions.

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Commonly Used Commands

  • cd(change directory)
    Command used to switch the directory (path) in which you are working.

    Example: cd\windows\system32Will move the prompt to the system32 folder path located in the Windows folder.

  • dir(Directory)
    Allows you to see available files and folders within theselected directory. Also provides details on the modification date and size of files.

    Several additional switches can be used with the command to perform additional actions.(see theMicrosoft guideCommand Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (8)below for further info on the available commands.)

    Example: C:\> dir
    This displays the contents of the C: directory or drive.

  • ipconfig
    This command displays the current network information for your adapters, including IP Address, Default Gateway, Subnet Mask and so forth.
  • ping
    This command is used as a troubleshooting tool to resolve network issues. It sends a data packet to another system on the network and awaits a reply - outputting the results.

    Example: ping 192.168.0.2
    This pings the computer with the address 192.168.0.2 and output any response.

  • Help (/?)
    The help command provides information about another command including available switches to perform additional tasks.

    Example: ipconfig /help

A list of commands can be found at Microsoft Command-line Reference GuideCommand Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (9)

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FAQs

How do I cancel a command?

UseCtrl + Cto stop a command from running.

NOTE: This is not an undo. The command will only stop the current command during its process.

How can I shut down or restart the computer from the Command Prompt screen?

The commands below can also be used to shutdown or restart computers on your network. This can be handy when applying updates that require restarts to take effect.

  • shutdown /scommand shuts down the system that you are working on.
  • shutdown / ifrom the command prompt opens the Remote Shutdown Dialog window, this provides options available using an easy-to-use interface including networked systems.

How do I access previous commands that I have used?

You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to cycle through the previously performed commands. For example, the UP and DOWN arrows show the most recently used commands. The RIGHT and LEFT arrows display the commands letter by letter.

Where do I find a comprehensive list of commands available?

Microsoft Command-Line Reference A-Z Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (10)

What tools are available?

Command-Line Tools (Microsoft) Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (11)

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Additional Information

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

  • 64-Bit BIOS Installation Utility
  • How to Generate Battery Report Using the POWERCFG Command

Affected Products

Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models

Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use Its Commands List (2024)

FAQs

What is Command Prompt and how do you use it? ›

What is the Command Prompt. In Windows operating systems, the Command Prompt is a program that emulates the input field in a text-based user interface screen with the Windows Graphical User Interface (UI). It can be used to perform entered commands and perform advanced administrative functions.

How do I list commands in Command Prompt? ›

How to Check Commands in CMD. Open the Command Prompt program on your computer. Type in "Help" when the window appears and hit Enter to pull up a list of all the available commands. To learn how a specific command works, type "help" followed by the command for more details.

What is command line and how do you use it? ›

The command line is a text interface for your computer. It's a program that takes in commands, which it passes on to the computer's operating system to run. From the command line, you can navigate through files and folders on your computer, just as you would with Windows Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac OS.

How to run a command in Command Prompt? ›

How to run a program on Command Prompt
  1. Open your Start menu and type "cmd" in the search box. ...
  2. Click on Command Prompt to open the application and type your first command. ...
  3. Determine which program you want to run. ...
  4. Find the file path of the folder with your exe program.
Apr 9, 2024

How to use for command in cmd? ›

Use a single percent sign ( % ) to carry out the for command at the command prompt. Use double percent signs ( %% ) to carry out the for command within a batch file. Variables are case sensitive, and they must be represented with an alphabetical value such as %a, %b, or %c. Required.

How to use cmd for beginners? ›

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by clicking on the Start Menu and typing cmd. Alternatively, one can also use a shortcut- Ctrl+R (key), and on the Run dialogue box, type cmd, and press Enter. Step 2: In order to retrieve the list of commands- Type Help and press Enter.

What command is used to list? ›

The ls command is used to list files and directories in the current working directory.

What does the command list do? ›

A Command List is an organized collection of commands used in a software or application, allowing users to easily access and execute various tasks and functions.

How to start with Command Prompt? ›

Click Start → All Programs → Accessories. To run the command prompt: with standard user rights, click Command Prompt. with administrator rights, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

How many commands are there in Command Prompt? ›

However, in general, there are around 280 to 300 built-in commands in CMD. This includes both simple commands used for everyday tasks like the copy command in Windows CMD and more advanced utilities for system diagnostics and configuration.

How do you list all available CLI commands? ›

List of CLI commands
  1. ls - List directory contents. ls -a - List all the content, including hidden files. ls -l - List the content and its information.
  2. cd foldername – Change the working directory to foldername. cd - Return to $HOME directory. ...
  3. cat file – Print contents of file on the screen. less file - View and paginate file.

Why do people use command line? ›

One of the main advantages of a command line interface is that it allows users to type in commands that can produce immediate results. Those familiar with command-lines find this method quick and simple. Tasks can also be automated using a batch file, for example. A CLI can also enhance security.

How would you define a command? ›

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

How to use Command Prompt to reset PC? ›

Quick steps:
  1. Go to Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.
  2. Type systemreset -factoryreset in the Command Prompt window.
  3. Select whether you want to Keep My Files or Remove Everything.
  4. A windows will display what resetting will do to your PC. If everything is per your selection, click on the Reset button.
Feb 7, 2024

How to use Command Prompt to open a file? ›

How to run a file in command prompt
  1. Open command prompt. There are several ways to open the command prompt app. ...
  2. Open the file pathway. To open the correct file, direct the command prompt app to the correct file path in your Windows by using this command template: cd [file path]. ...
  3. Execute the file. ...
  4. Launch and use your file.
Jul 2, 2024

What is the shortcut key for Command Prompt? ›

Open the Run menu with Windows Key + R, then type "cmd." Press "Enter" to open the regular Command Prompt, or Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open as an Administrator. Another way is to press Windows Key + X, use the arrow keys to select "Command Prompt," then press Enter.

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