To Open CMD, you need to search for CMD in the Search box or you can simply press Windows Key + R that will eventually open the Run window, where you need to type CMD and hit enter.
A – Windows CMD commands
| A | Description |
|---|---|
| addusers | Used to add and list users in a CSV file |
| admodcmd | Used for bulk modifying contents in an active directory |
| arp | Address Resolution Protocol is used to map IP address to the hardware address |
| assoc | Used to change associations for file extensions |
| associat | One step file association |
| at | Run a command at a specific time |
| atmadm | Display connection info of the ATM adapter |
| attrib | Used to change file attributes |
B – Windows CMD Commands
| B | Description |
|---|---|
| bcdboot | Used to create and repair a system partition |
| bcdedit | Used to manage boot configuration data |
| bitsadmin | Used to manage the Background Intelligent Transfer Service |
| bootcfg | Used to edit boot configuration in Windows |
| break | Enable/Disable break capability (CTRL+C) in CMD |
C – Windows CMD Commands
| C | Description |
|---|---|
| cacls | Used to change permissions of files |
| call | Used one batch program to call another |
| certreq | Used to request a certificate from a certification authority |
| certutil | Manage Certification Authority files and services |
| cd | Used to change folder (directory) or go to a specific one |
| change | Used to change terminal services |
| chcp | Displays the number of active console code page |
| chdir | Same as cd command |
| chkdsk | Used to check and repair issues in the disk |
| chkntfs | Used to check the NTFS file system |
| choice | Accept user input (via keyboard) to a batch file |
| cipher | Used to encrypt/decrypt files and folder |
| cleanmgr | Used clean temp files and recycle bin automatically |
| clip | Copy result of any command (stdin) to Windows clipboard |
| cls | Clear CMD screen |
| cmd | Used to start a new CMD shell |
| cmdkey | Used to manage stored usernames and passwords |
| cmstp | Used to install or remove a connection manager service profile |
| color | Change the color of the CMD shell using options |
| comp | Compare contents of two files or two sets of files |
| compact | Compress files and folders on an NTFS partition |
| compress | Compress one or more files |
| convert | Convert a FAT partition to NTFS |
| copy | Copy one or more files to another location |
| coreinfo | Show the mapping between logical and physical processors |
| cprofile | Cleans specified profiles of wasted space and disabled user-specific file associations |
| cscmd | Configure offline files on a client computer |
| csvde | Import or Export the data of an active directory |
D – Windows CMD Commands
| D | Description |
|---|---|
| date | Used to display the date or change it. |
| defrag | Used to defragment system hard drive. |
| del | Used to delete a file(s). |
| delprof | Used to delete user profile(s). |
| deltree | Used to delete a folder and its sub-folders. |
| devcon | Access the command line device manager utility. |
| dir | Used to display files and folders list. |
| dirquota | Manage File Server Resource Manager quotas. |
| diruse | Used to display disk usage. |
| diskcomp | Compare contents of two floppy disks. |
| diskcopy | Copy data of one floppy disk to another. |
| diskpart | Make changes to partitions of storage, both internal and connected. |
| diskshadow | Access the Disk Shadow Copy Service. |
| diskuse | View used space in folder(s). |
| doskey | Used to edit command line, recall commands, and create macros. |
| driverquery | Display a list of installed device drivers. |
| dsacls | View and edit access control entries for objects in active directory. |
| dsadd | Used to add objects to active directory. |
| dsget | View objects in active directory. |
| dsquery | Find objects in an active directory. |
| dsmod | Used to modify objects in an active directory. |
| dsmove | Rename or move an active directory object. |
| dsrm | Remove objects from an active directory. |
| dsmgmt | Manage Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services |
E – Windows CMD Commands
| E | Description |
|---|---|
| echo | Turn command-echoing feature on/off, display a message on the screen. |
| endlocal | End localization environment changes in a batch file. |
| erase | Used to delete on or more file(s). |
| eventcreate | Add custom event to Windows event log (Admin rights required). |
| eventquerry | Display list of events and their properties from event logs. |
| eventtriggers | Display and configure event triggers on local and remote machines. |
| exit | Exit the command line (Quit current batch script). |
| expand | Uncompress one or more .CAB file(s) |
| explorer | Open Windows Explorer. |
| extract | Uncompress one or more Windows cabinet file(s) |
F – Windows CMD Commands
| F | Description |
|---|---|
| fc | Used to compare two files. |
| find | Used to search a specified text string in a file. |
| findstr | Used to find string patterns in files. |
| finger | Display information about user(s) on a specified remote computer. |
| flattemp | Used to enable/disable flat temporary folders. |
| For | Run a command in a loop for a file(s) for defined parameter. |
| forfiles | Used for batch processing of selected file(s) |
| format | Used to format a disk. |
| freedisk | Used to check free space on a disk. |
| fsutil | File system utility to manage file and drive properties. |
| ftp | Use FTP service to transfer files from one PC to another. |
| ftype | Display/ Modify file extension type associations. |
G – Windows CMD Commands
| G | Description |
|---|---|
| getmac | Used to display the MAC address of your network adapter. |
| goto | Used to direct a batch program to a line identified by a label. |
| gpresult | Display Group Policy Settings and Resultant Set of Policy for a user. |
| gpupdate | Update local and active directory based on group policy settings. |
| graftabl | Turn on the ability to display an extended character in graphics mode. |
H – Windows CMD Commands
| H | Description |
|---|---|
| help | Display a list of commands and see online information for them. |
| hostname | Used to display hostname of the computer. |
I – Windows CMD Commands
| I | Description |
|---|---|
| icacls | Used to change permissions of files and folders. |
| iexpress | Used to create a self-extracting zip archive. |
| if | Used for conditional processing in batch programs. |
| ifmember | Display the group(s) an active user belongs to. |
| inuse | Replace the files which the OS is currently using (restart required). |
| ipconfig | Display and change Windows IP configuration. |
| ipseccmd | Used to configure IP Security policies. |
| ipxroute | Display and modify routing table information used by IPX protocol. |
| irftp | Used to send files over an infrared link (infrared functionality required). |
L – Windows CMD Commands
| L | Description |
|---|---|
| label | Used to change the name of a disk. |
| lodctr | Update registry values with latest performance counters. |
| logman | Used to manage performance monitor logs. |
| logoff | Log a user off. |
| logtime | Add the date, time, and a message to a text file. |
| lpq | Displays print queue status. |
| lpr | Used to send a file to a computer running the Line Printer Daemon service. |
M – Windows CMD Commands
| M | Description |
|---|---|
| macfile | Manage files server for Mackintosh. |
| makecab | Used to create .cab files. |
| mapisend | Used to send email from command line. |
| mbsacli | Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser. |
| mem | Used to show memory usage. |
| md | Used to create directories and sub-directories. |
| mkdir | Used to create directories and sub-directories. |
| mklink | Used to create symbolic link to a directory. |
| mmc | Access Microsoft Management Console. |
| mode | Configure COM, LPT, CON system devies. |
| more | Display one screen of output at time. |
| mountvol | Create, list, or delete a volume mount point. |
| move | Used to move files from one folder to another. |
| moveuser | Move user account to a domain or between machines. |
| msg | Used to send a pop-up message to a user. |
| msiexec | Install, modify, consfigure using Windows Installer. |
| msinfo32 | Display system information. |
| mstsc | Create a remote desktop connection. |
N – Windows CMD Commands
| N | Description |
|---|---|
| nbstat | Display NetBIOS over TCP/IP information. |
| net | Used to manage network resources and services. |
| netdom | Network Domain Manager utility |
| netsh | Display or modify network configuration |
| netstat | Display active TCP/IP connections. |
| nlsinfo | Used to display locale information |
| nltest | List domain controllers, force remote shutdown, etc. |
| now | Display date and time. |
| nslookup | Check IP address on a Name Server. |
| ntbackup | Backup data to tape using CMD or batch file. |
| ntcmdprompt | Runs cmd.exe instead of command.exe in an MS-DOS application. |
| ntdsutil | Manage Active Directory Domain Services |
| ntrights | Used to edit user account privileges. |
| ntsd | Only for system developers. |
| nvspbind | Used to modify network bindings. |
O – Windows CMD Commands
| O | Description |
|---|---|
| openfiles | Queries or displays open files. |
P – Windows CMD Commands
| P | Description |
|---|---|
| pagefileconfig | Display and configure Virtual memory settings. |
| path | Set PATH environment variable for executable files. |
| pathping | Latency and Packet loss info for each node in the network path. |
| pause | Used to stop processing of a batch file. |
| pbadmin | Starts Phone Book Administrator |
| pentnt | Detect Floating Point Division error in the Pentium chip. |
| perfmon | Access performance monitor in CMD |
| perms | Display a user\’s ACL permissions for a file. |
| ping | Test network connection to a computer. |
| popd | Go to the latest path/folder stored by PUSHD command |
| portqry | Display TCP and UDP port status. |
| powercfg | Used to configure power settings and know battery health. |
| Used to print a text file(s) from CMD. | |
| printbrm | For backup/recovery/migration of the print queue. |
| prncnfg | Used to configure/rename a printing device. |
| prndrvr | List/add/delete printer drivers. |
| prnjobs | List/pause/resume/cancel print jobs. |
| prnmngr | List/add/delete printers, display/set default printer. |
| prnport | List/create/delete TCP printer ports, display/change port configuration. |
| prnqctl | Clear printer queue, print a test page. |
| procdump | Monitor system for CPU spikes, generate a crash report during a spike. |
| prompt | Used to change the Prompt in CMD. |
| psexec | Run a CMD process on a remote computer. |
| psfile | Display remotely opened files, close an open file. |
| psinfo | List system information about a local/remote machine. |
| pskill | Kill a process(es) using its name or process ID. |
| pslist | Display process status and info about active processes. |
| psloggedon | See active users on machine. |
| psloglist | Display event log records. |
| pspasswd | Used to change account password. |
| psping | Used to measure network performance. |
| psservice | Display and control services on a machine. |
| psshutdown | Shutdown/restart/logoff/lock a local or remote machine. |
| pssuspend | Used to suspend a process on a local or remote computer. |
| pushd | Change current folder and store previous folder for use by POPD. |
Q – Windows CMD Commands
| Q | Description |
|---|---|
| qgrep | Search file(s) for a given string pattern. |
| query process or qprocess | Display information about processes. |
R – Windows CMD Commands
| R | Description |
|---|---|
| rasdial | Display Remote Access Service Status. |
| rasphone | Manage RAS connections. |
| rcp | Copy files to a computer running remote shell service. |
| recover | Recover readable data from a defective disk. |
| reg | Display/add/change registry keys and values in Windows registry. |
| regedit | Import/export/delete settings from a .reg text file. |
| regsvr32 | Used to register/unregister a DLL file. |
| regini | Used to change registry permissions. |
| relog | Export performance counters to other formats like TSV, CSV, SQL. |
| rem | Add comments in batch file. |
| ren | Used to rename a file(s). |
| replace | Used to replace a file with another file of same name. |
| reset session | Used to reset a remote desktop session. |
| rexec | Run commands on remote machines running Rexec service. |
| rd | Used to delete a folder(s). |
| rmdir | Used to delete a folder(s). |
| rmtshare | Manage file and printer shares local or remote servers. |
| robocopy | Used to copy files and folders that have changed. |
| route | Display/change the local IP routing table. |
| rsh | Run commands on remote servers running RSH service. |
| rsm | Manage media resources using Removable storage. |
| runas | Run a program as a different user. |
| rundll32 | Used to run a DLL program. |
S – Windows CMD Commands
| S | Description |
|---|---|
| sc | Use Service Controller to manage Windows services. |
| schtasks | Schedule command(s) to run at a specific time. |
| secedit | Configure system security. |
| set | Display/set/remove environment variables in CMD. |
| setlocal | Control visibility of environment variables in a batch file. |
| setspn | Manage Service Principal Names for an Active Directory service account. |
| setx | Set Environment Variables permanently. |
| sfc | System File Checker |
| share | List/edit a file share or print on any computer. |
| shellrunas | Used to run a command as a different user. |
| shift | Change the position of the batch parameters in a batch file. |
| shortcut | Create a Windows shortcut. |
| shutdown | Shutdown the computer. |
| sleep | Put computer to sleep for specified number of seconds. |
| slmgr | Software Licensing Management tool for activation and KMS. |
| sort | Used to sort and display a redirected or piped input. |
| start | Start a program, command, or batch file. |
| strings | Find ANSI and UNICODE strings in binary files. |
| subinacl | Display/modify ACEs for file and folder permissions. |
| subst | Associate a path with a drive letter. |
| sysmon | Monitor and log system activity to Windows event log. |
| systeminfo | Display detailed configuration information about the computer. |
T – Windows CMD Commands
| T | Description |
|---|---|
| takeown | Used to take the ownership of a file. |
| taskkill | Used to terminate on or more running processes. |
| tasklist | Display a list of running apps and services. |
| tcmsetup | Enable/disable TAPI client. |
| telnet | Communicate with a remote machine using TELNET protocol. |
| tftp | Transfer files to and from a remote machine running TFTP protocol. |
| time | Display/change system time. |
| timeout | Delay a batch file execution for specified seconds. |
| title | Change the text on top of CMD window. |
| touch | Change file timestamps. |
| tracerpt | Process event trace logs and generate trace analysis report. |
| tracert | Trace route to a remote host by sending ICMP request messages. |
| tree | Display a folder structure in the form of a graphical tree. |
| tsdiscon | Terminate a remote desktop connection. |
| tskill | Terminate a running process on a RD Session Host server. |
| tssutdn | Shutdown/reboot a terminal server remotely. |
| type | Show contents of a text file. |
| typeperf | Write performance data to a CMD window or a log file. |
| tzutil | Time Zone Utility. |
U – Windows CMD Commands
| U | Description |
|---|---|
| unlodctr | Remove performance counter names and explain text for a service from the registry. |
V – Windows CMD Commands
| V | Descrption |
|---|---|
| ver | Show version number of installed OS. |
| verify | Verify whether files are saved correctly on the disk. |
| vol | Show disk volume label and serial number. |
| vssadmin | Show shadow copy backups, installed shadow copy writers and providers. |
W – Windows CMD Commands
| W | Description |
|---|---|
| w32tm | Access Windows Time Service Utility |
| waitfor | Used to synchronise events between networked computer(s). |
| wevtutil | Retrieve information about event logs and publishers. |
| where | Find and display file(s) in the current directory. |
| whoami | Display information about the active user. |
| windiff | Compare contents of two files or sets of files. |
| winrm | Windows Remote Management. |
| winrs | Windows Remote Shell. |
| wmic | Windows Management Instrumentation Command. |
| wuauclt | Windows Update Agent to download new update files. |
X – Windows CMD Commands
| X | Description |
|---|---|
| xcalcs | Change ACLs for files and folders. |
| xcopy | Copy files or directory trees to another folder. |

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