The Windows Command Prompt (CMD) is essential for system administrators, developers, and power users. It allows users to execute commands efficiently, automate tasks, and troubleshoot system issues. CMD provides access to advanced system functions, such as file management, network diagnostics, and disk operations, which are not always available through the graphical user interface (GUI).

CMD allows users to perform batch processing, run scripts, and manage system settings more quickly and precisely. Whether for troubleshooting, automation, or system administration, it remains a powerful and necessary tool in Windows.

How to Launch CMD in Windows?

There are several ways to open the Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows. Here’s a quick guide:

Method 1: Using the Run Dialog

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.

Method 2: Using Windows Search

1. Click the Start Menu or press Win key.
2. Type cmd in the search bar.
3. Click Command Prompt in the search results.

Method 3: Open CMD as Administrator

1. Click Start and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator".
3. Click Yes in the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

Method 4: Using File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. In the address bar, type cmd and press Enter.

Method 5: Open CMD in a Specific Folder

1. Open the folder where you want to execute commands.
2. Hold Shift, then right-click in the folder.
3. Select "Open command window here" (On newer Windows versions, you may see "Open PowerShell window here" instead).

These methods will help you quickly launch CMD in different scenarios.

Here is a list of CMD commands:

Files and Folders Management

• MD or MAKEDIR - Creates a folder
• COPY - Copies files to another location
• XCOPY - Copies files and directory trees
• DEL or ERASE - Deletes files
• TREE - Shows directory structure of a disk or folder
• EDIT - Starts file editor
• CD - Changes directory
• REN or RENAME - Renames a file or folder
• MOVE - Moves files from one folder to another
• PRINT - Prints out the text file contents
• DIR – Displays files and folders in the current directory
• REPLACE - Replaces files in one directory with files of the same name in another directory (overwrite)
• FIND - Finds a text string in the file
• EXPAND - Decompresses compressed files
• ROBOCOPY - Uses an advanced tool to copy files and directories
• FC - Compares files and shows the differences between them
• RD or RMDIR - Deletes a folder
• OPENFILES – Manages opened local or network files
• TYPE - Displays the contents of text files

Applications and Processes

• TASKLIST - Lists the tasks being performed
• TASKKILL - Stops or halts a task (to stop a task you use a PID which you can find out from TASKLIST)
• REG – Starts registry editor
• RUNAS - Launches the task as another user
• SCHTASKS - Executes a command or starts a scheduled application (Task Scheduler)
• SHUTDOWN - Shuts down or reboots your computer

Disks Management

• CHKDISK - Checks disk and shows statistics
• DEFRAG – Starts disk defragmentation
• CHKNTFS - Displays or changes execution of disk check at boot
• FORMAT - Formats the disk
• DISKPART - Displays and adjusts disk partition properties
• FSUTIL - Displays and configures file system properties
• LABEL - Creates, changes, or deletes a disk volume label
• RECOVER - Recovers data from a bad or damaged disk
• VOL - Displays volume label and serial number for the disk
• CONVERT - Converts FAT disk volume to NTFS
• COMPACT - Displays and changes the compression of files in NTFS partitions

System Information

• SYSTEMINFO - Shows configuration information about your computer
• HOSTNAME - Displays name of the computer
• DATE - Outputs or sets the current date
• TIME - Displays or sets the system time
• DRIVERQUERY - Displays the current state and properties of the device driver
• VER - Allows you to view the Windows version
• GPRESULT – Displays current applied group policies (RSoP)
• GPUPDATE – Updates group policies

Network

• PING – Sends ICMP requests to the target host, checks host availability
• NSLOOKUP - Finds IP address by resource name
• IPCONFIG - Shows information about network interfaces
• ROUTE - Displays network route tables
• TRACERT - Finds the path for packets traveling over the network
• NETSH – Starts network settings control program
• ARP - Shows a table with IP addresses converted into physical addresses
• GETMAC - Shows the MAC address of the network adapter
• TFTP – Starts TFTP client in console

Command Line Setup

• CMD - Displays another command prompt
• HELP – Launches CMD help
• PROMPT - Changes the command line prompt
• CLS - Clears the screen
• COLOR - Sets the text and background color
• TITLE - Assigns a title for the current session
• EXIT - Exits the command line