The Full List of Command Prompt Commands

Are you tired of constant clicking? You can use a text-based interface to manage your computer. Command Prompt offers 280+ commands for navigation, troubleshooting, and performing different tasks. Explore this guide to unleash the full potential of Command Prompt.

Comprehensive List of Windows Command Prompts

Note that, for most commands, you can write them in lowercase or uppercase, and the prompt will accept them regardless. However, some command parameters or arguments only accept specific cases and might have different functions if you use a lowercase or uppercase letter for a parameter.

Additionally, most of the following commands will accept “/?” as an argument (for example: “ipconfig /?”) to provide a more detailed overview of what the command does and what it will accept as arguments.

A

Append: Allows a program to open data files in specified directories as if they were located in the current directory.
Arp: Displays and modifies the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache, which matches IP addresses to MAC addresses on a network.
Assoc: Modifies file name extension associations. In other words, it shows what program is associated with a specific file type.
At: Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer at a specified time and date.
Attrib: Changes the attributes of a file or directory.
Auditpol:Displays and modifies audit policies.

B

Bcdboot:  Copies boot files from the Windows installation media to the system partition and creates a new system bootloader.
Bcdedit:  Manages Boot Configuration Data (BCD) files, which control how the operating system is started.
Bdehdcfg: Allows you to prepare your hard drive for BitLocker Drive Encryption. 
Bitsadmin: Create download, or upload jobs and monitor their progress.
Bootcfg: Creates, modifies, or deletes the boot entry in the boot.ini file. It can also rebuild the boot.ini file if it becomes corrupted.
Bootsect: Updates the master boot code on the system partition to make it compatible with BOOTMGR and NTLDR
Break: If you are running a batch file, the break command sets or clears extended CTRL + C checking on DOS systems.

C

Cacls:  Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) for files and folders.
Call: Allows you to call subroutines (batch programs within batch programs). It also lets you execute external commands from within a batch file.
Cd: Changes the current directory in the command prompt.
Centreq: Requests and installs a certificate from a certification authority.
Certutil: Allows you to view and manage certificates, certificate revocation lists (CRLs), and certification authority (CA) certificates.
Change: Changes the terminal server session properties.
Chcp: Changes the active code page of the command prompt window. This can be useful when working with international characters.
Chdir: Also known as the Cd command. It changes the current directory in the command line interface.
Checknetisolation: Test apps bound to certain network capabilities.
Chglogon: Enables or disables logins from a remote session on a terminal server.
Chgport: Allows the display and modification of COM port mappings for MS-DOS application compatibility.
Chgusr: Changes the install mode for the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server.
Chkdsk: Allows you to check for and fix errors on a hard drive.
Chkntfs: Displays and manages the checking of your disk drive during booting.
Choice: Allows you to view a list of options within a script or batch program.
Cipher: Allows you to view and change the encryption of your folders and files.
Cleanmgr: Launch the Disk Cleanup tool to clean up temporary and unnecessary files on your hard drive.
Clip: Allows you to copy STDIN to the clipboard.
Cls: Clears all text from the screen in the command line interface.
Cmd: Allows you to begin a new CMD shell.
Cmdkey: Manage your passwords and usernames.
Cmstp: Allow you to uninstall or install a Connection Manager profile.
Color: Changes the colors of the text and background in a Command Prompt window.
Comp:  Compares the contents of two files or sets of files.
Compact: Displays and alters the compression state of files on NTFS partitions.
Convert: Convert a FAT partition to an NTFS partition.
Copy: Allows you to copy one or more files from one location to another.
Cscript: Allows you to execute scripts in Script Host.
Ctty: Changes the input and output devices used for your Command Prompt session.

D

Date: Allows you to view, set, or change the date.
Dblspace: Creates or mounts a drive compressed using the DoubleSpace compression tool.
Debug: Allows you to launch the debugger.
Defrag:  Defragment your hard drive to improve system performance.
Del:  Delete one or more files from a specified location.
Deltree: Deletes a folder and all subfolders and files within it.
Diantz: Create and extract files from CAB archives.
Dir: Allows you to view a list of folders and files.
Diskcomp: Compare the contents of two floppy disks.
Diskcopy: Makes copies of one or more floppy disks.
Diskpart: Allows you to manage hard drive partitions.
Diskperf: Allows you to remotely manage your disk performance counters.
Diskraid: Create and manage redundant arrays of independent disks (RAIDs). 
Dism: Allows you to launch the DISM tool.
Dispdiag: Allows you to log display information to a file.
Djoin: Allows you to make a new account in a domain.
Doskey: Lets you create macros, modify the command line, and recall commands.
Driverquery: Allows you to view installed device drivers.
Drvspace: Creates or mounts a drive that has been compressed using the DriveSpace compression tool.

E

Echo: Displays a message or toggles the echo feature for batch files.
Edit: Allows you to view and edit text files within the Command Prompt.
Edlin: Launches the Edlin text editor within the Command Prompt. It creates or modifies batch files.
Emm386: Allows you to manage extended memory on your system.
Endlocal: Allows you to end the localization of the batch file environment.
Erase: Delete one or more files from a specified location.
Esentutl: Manage databases in the Extensible Storage Engine.
Eventcreate: Allows you to add a message to the Windows event log.
Eventtriggers: Allows you to view and manage event triggers.
Exe2bin: Allows you to convert EXE files to binary files.
Exit: Exit the current session or terminate a batch file.
Expand: Allows you to uncompress CAB files.
Explode: Separate multiple commands on one line into individual lines.

F

Fasthelp: Provides a list of available commands within the Command Prompt.
Fastopen: Preloads the most frequently used programs into memory for faster access.
Fc: Compares two or more files and displays the differences between them.
Fdisk: Create, delete, and manage partitions on your hard drive.
Find: Allows you to locate a text string in a file.
Findstr: Locate strings in files.
Finger: Retrieve info about users on a remote computer running the Finger service.
Fltmc: Allows you to manage Filter drivers.
Fondue: Install features on the Demand User Experience tool.
For: Allows you to run commands for files inside a set of files.
Forfiles: Allows you to select files to execute a command.
Forcedos: Sets the specified program to run in MS-DOS compatibility mode.
Format: Allows you to format a disk.
Fsutil: Carry out a range of NTFS and FAT file system tasks.
Ftp: Allows you to transfer files between computers.
Ftype: Define a default program to open a chosen file type.
Fullhelp: Provides a list of all available commands and their usage within the Command Prompt.

G

Getmac:  Displays the media access control (MAC) address for a network adapter.
Goto: Direct a batch program to a labeled line.
Gpresult: Allows you to view group policy settings.
Gpupdate: Allows you to update group policy settings.
Graftabl: Displays extended characters in graphics mode.
Graphics: Allows you to load a program that prints graphics.

H

Help: Allows you to access online help.
Hostname: View the hostname of the computer.
Htmlhelp: Opens the Windows help viewer, which displays HTML formatted files.
Hwrcomp: Compile custom dictionaries for handwriting recognition.
Hwrreg: Install a previously custom-written handwriting recognition engine.

I

Icacls: Allows you to alter folder and file permissions.
If: Carry out conditional functions.
Interlnk: Connect two computers via a serial or parallel cable to transfer files and folders between them.
Intersvr: Allows you to launch the Interlink server and copy Interlink files.
Inuse: Replace files currently in use by the operating system.
Ipconfig: Displays and configures your network credentials such as IP and DNS.
Ipxroute: Display and manipulate information in IPX routing tables.
Irftp: Send files over an infrared link.
Iscsicli: Allows you to manage iSCSI devices from the Command Prompt.

K

Kb16: Enables or disables a separate keyboard driver for MS-DOS programs.
Keyb: Change your keyboard layout to support different languages and characters.
Klist: View a list of cached Kerberos tickets.
Ksetup: Configure connections to a Kerberos server.
Ktmutil: Allows you to manage the Kernel Transaction Manager.

L

Label: Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.
Loadfix: Load a program above the first 64 KB of memory to free up conventional memory for other programs.
Lodctr: Allows you to update registry values.
Logman: Allows you to manage performance monitoring log files.
Logoff: Used to log off or terminate a session.
Logtime: Log the time and date in a file.
Lpq: View the status of a print queue on a computer running Line Printer Daemon (LPD).
LPR: Sends a file to a computer running the Line Printer Daemon (LPD) for printing.

M

Makecab: Allows you to make CAB files.
Mapisend: Send emails from the command line.
Manage-bde: Allows you to configure BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Md: Allows you to create a directory.
Mem: Shows information about memory usage on the computer.
Memmaker: Optimize conventional memory by loading device drivers high.
Mkdir: Create a new directory.
Mklink: Allows you to make a symbolic link.
Mode: Allows you to manage a system device.
More: Allows you to view the contents of a text file.
Mountvol: Allows you to configure a volume mount point.
Move: Move files between folders.
Moveuser: Move users between domains.
Msg: Allows you to send a message.
Msiexec: Launch Windows Installer.
Msinfo32: View system information.
Mofcomp: View the Managed Object Format (MOF) files.
Mount: Mount Network File System (NFS) network shares.

N

Nbtstat: Allows you to view NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) protocol statistics and current connections.
Net1: Displays information about network connections, routing tables, and network adapter configuration.
Net: Allows you to configure your network resources.
Netcfg: Install Windows Preinstallation Environment.
Netsh: Manages network interfaces and remote and firewall access.
Netstat: Allows you to view networking stats.
Nltest: Test channels between computers for security.
Nmbind: Configure Hyper-V network bindings.
Now: Allows you to view the current time and date.
Nslookup: View the name of an IP address.
Ntbackup: Carry out a range of backup functions.
Ntrights: Allows you to change user account privileges.
Nvspbind: Allows you to alter network bindings.

O

Ocsetup: Start or stop the optional components.
Openfiles: Allows you to view or query files.

P

Pentnt: Detect floating-point division errors in the Intel Pentium chip.
Pkgmgr: Start the Windows Package Manager from the command line.
Path: View or make a search path for executable files.
Pathping: Track packet loss and network latency.
Pause: Pause the processing of a batch file.
Perms: Allows you to display permissions for users.
Ping: Allows you to test a network connection.
Powercfg: Manage and change your power settings.
Print: Print a text file to a selected printer.
Prompt: Allows you to change your command prompt.
Pspasswd: Change your account password.
Pushd: Save and change directories.
Pwlauncher: View, disable, or enable the Windows To Go startup process.

Q

Qappsrv: View and manage all Remote Desktop Session settings.
Qbasic: Start the Microsoft Quick Basic interpreter.
Qprocess: Allows you to view details related to your running processes.
Query: Allows you to view a specific service status.
Quser: View details on users that are logged into the system.
Qwinsta: Allows you to view all Remote Desktop Sessions info.

R

Rasdial: Begin or finish a client network connection.
Rd: Allows you to delete directories.
Recover: Retrieve data from a defective disk.
Reg: Manage the Windows Registry.  
Regini: Change Registry Permissions.
Regsvr32: Unregister or register a DLL.
Relog: Allows you to use existing performance log data to create new performance logs.
Rem: Record remarks in a batch file.
Ren: Allows you to rename files.
Replace: Allows you to update or replace a file.
Reset: Reset the session subsystem hardware and software.
Rmdir: Allows you to delete directories.
Robocopy: Copy directories and files from different locations.
Route: Allows you to alter network routing tables.
Run: Allows you to run and start commands.
Runas: Execute a program with a different user account.
Rasautou: Manage remote access dialer profiles.
Rcp: Copy files and folders between networked computers.
Rpcinfo: Provides you with information about remote procedure calls.

S

Sc: Allows you to manage your service info.
Schtasks: Schedule the run time of a command.
Secedit: Allows you to alter and analyze your system security.
Set: View, set, or delete environment variables.
Setlocal: Manage the visibility of environment variables.
Setspn: Allows you to edit Service Principal Names.
Setx: Allows you to set environment variables.
Share: View or modify files or print share.
Shift: Change the position of batch file parameters.
Shutdown: Allows you to shut down your computer.
Sort: Allows you to view and sort input data.
Start: Start a command, batch file, or program.
Subst: Allows you to associate a drive letter with a path.
Systeminfo: Allows you to list your system configuration.
Scandisk: Allows you to check and repair file system errors on a disk.
Scanreg: Scan and back up the Windows Registry.
Sdbinst: Install SDB files, which are used for compatibility databases.
Setver: Set the version number that MS-DOS reports to a program.
SFC: Scan and replace protected system files.
Shadow: Monitors file system changes and creates shadow copies for backups.
Showmount: Shows information about NFS (Network File System) shared folders on a server.
Sys: Transfer system files from one drive to another.

T

Takedown: Allows you to regain ownership of a file.
Taskkill: Allows you to finish a running process.
Tasklist: View a list of currently running services and apps.
Telnet: Allows you to communicate with another host via TELNET.
Time: View, set, or change the system time.
Timeout: Allows you to pause the processing of a command or batch file.
Title: Set the title of the window for cmd.exe sessions.
Tracert: Allows you to track the route of a remote host.
Tree: Allows you to graphically display folder structure.
Tsdiscon: Allows you to disconnect remote desktop sessions.
Tskill: Allows you to kill a currently running process.
Type: View the contents of a text file.
Typeperf: Display performance data in the Command Prompt window and write the data in a log file.
Tzutil: View and modify the system time zone.
Tcmsetup: Configures the Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) services.
Tlntadmn: Allows you to manage Telnet sessions on a server.
Tpmvscmgr: Manage Trusted Platform Module (TPM) virtual smart cards.
Tracert: Allows you to trace the route that a packet takes from your computer to a specified destination.
Type: Allows you to display text file contents.
Tasklist: Displays a list of currently running tasks and processes on your system.
Tftp: Allows you to file transfers between client and server.
Tscon: Attaches a user session to a Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server.
Tsdiscon: Disconnects a Remote Desktop Services connection.
Tskill: End tasks and processes by using the process ID or image name.

U

Umount: Unmounts a network file system or a removable storage device from the file system.
Undelete: Recover deleted files from a disk.
Unformat: Allows you to restore formatted disks.
Unlock: Unlock a drive locked by the Lock command.
Unlodctr: Delete Performance Counter names and Explain text from the Windows Registry.

V

Vaultcmd: Manage credential vaults on Windows.
Vsafe: Execute a program with different security settings.
Ver: Allows you to view current version information.
Verify: Confirm that files have been saved.
Vol: Allows you to display a disk label.
Vssadmin: Launch the Volume Shadow Copy Service admin command line tool.

W

W32tm: Identify Windows Time problems.
Waitfor: Allows you to send or wait for a signal.
Wbadmin: View and manage your Windows Backup Admin.
Wecutil: Manage event subscriptions from other computers that are WS-Management supported.
Wevtutil: Allows you to manage event logs.
Where: Locate and view directory tree files.
Whoami: Recover user information on a network.
Winmgmt: Launches the WMI scripting tool in the command line version.
Winrm: Launch Windows Remote Management in the command line version.
Winrs: Open a command window with a remote host.
Wmic: Launch the Windows Management Instrumentation Command line.

X

Xcacls: Alter folder and file permissions.
Xcopy: Allows you to copy folders and files.

Ten of the Most Useful Command Prompts

The usefulness of a specific command depends on what task you wish to carry out. However, with so many commands available via your Windows Command Prompt app, knowing which ones are at the top of the list for optimizing your computer experience can be helpful.

Dir

When navigating and managing your files, few commands are more useful than dir. This command will quickly provide you with a detailed overview of the contents of any given folder. Thus, it’s a handy tool for improving your folder management. It’s also just as handy in terms of your ability to find information about specific files and directories fast.

Some of the arguments you can include are:

• <drive>: to narrow down your search to a particular hard disk partition
• <filename> to display information only on particular files or folders
• /p to have the command display info one screen at a time, and you can press any key to scroll to the next
• /b displays the bare list of files without additional information

Ipconfig

The ipconfig command is undoubtedly one of the more helpful commands available via the Command Prompt. It’s vital in diagnosing issues with your network connection. This makes it an invaluable tool for quickly carrying out status checks, diagnosing network issues, and helping you fix any network-driven issues.

Some of the arguments you can use are:

• /all to display all system information
• /renew [adapter] to reset an IPv4 address for a particular adapter (listing available via “ipconfig /all”
• /flushdns to restart the DNS cache (which is responsible for translating URLs into addresses)

Ping

This command sends a data packet to an address to check if your internet connection works. It is usually used as “ping [IP address]” so you must specify the destination. The feedback is the duration for the packet to go to the destination and return.

It also accepts the following arguments:

• -n count to specify the number of packets being sent before the command completes
• -4 to use IPv4
• -6 to use IPv6
• -a to translate the address to a hostname
• -S [address] to specify a different origin address
• -w [duration] to specify how long the packets can travel before the command times them out in milliseconds

Copy

If you often need to copy files from different locations, then the copy command is vital to know. This command can quickly copy one or multiple files in a directory or between separate directories.

Cd

The primary function of the cd command is to change the current directory you’re working in. Therefore, it’s a fantastic way to easily navigate through your directories, change directories, and access specific locations in your system seamlessly. Note that this command requires a specific syntax to function, so use “/?” to learn how to use it.

Systeminfo

The Systeminfo command will provide detailed information about your computer’s software and hardware configurations. It’s a speedy way to have this information at your fingertips if you need to know any information related to your operating system or computer hardware. This is useful if you need specific information about your computer for warranty, troubleshooting, etc. It can also provide information on a remote system connected to the same LAN.

Del

The del command is a powerful command that permanently erases files on your device. Use it cautiously, as it bypasses the Recycle Bin and accepts only particular parameters.

Tasklist

This command is the reigning champion when it comes to quickly viewing precise details about current processes that are running on your system. It’s a surefire way to enhance your capacity to monitor and examine processes as they’re running. As a result, you will be better equipped to manage your system’s overall performance.

Md

If you need to create a new directory, then the md command is how to make it happen. This versatile command allows you to create lightning-fast single, multiple, or nested directories. It can also be used to make directories with complete paths. This makes the MD command a key weapon in your arsenal for creating and organizing folder structures on your system.

Taskkill

The Taskkill command is another top-tier command that warrants mentioning. This command can forcefully stop processes from running on your system. This is useful if a program has become unresponsive, fighting off malicious malware and more.

Command Your Way to a Smooth Computer Experience

The full range of Command Prompt commands is right at your fingertips if your computer is running on Windows. Most of the commands listed function the same on any version of Windows, but some might be incompatible with specific systems.

As mentioned before, use the “/?” argument after a command to get an in-depth listing of how the command works on the system and what you can provide as an argument.

FAQs