🔧 Ultimate Guide to CMD (Command Prompt) Commands for Windows – File, Network, System & Advanced Tools
Dear All, 🔧 Ultimate Guide to CMD (Command Prompt) Commands for Windows – File, Network, System & Advanced Tools, Master Windows like a pro! Explore the most powerful CMD (Command Prompt) commands for Windows including file handling, network diagnostics, system management, and advanced scripting. Whether you’re an IT admin, developer, or tech enthusiast, this comprehensive command-line cheat sheet is your one-stop resource.
✅ Why Learn CMD Commands?
The Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows is a powerful tool that allows you to control your system using simple yet powerful command-line instructions. It’s invaluable for troubleshooting, file management, automation, and network diagnostics.
Learning CMD commands enhances your control over your Windows system and significantly improves productivity, especially for IT professionals, system admins, and developers.
📁 File and Directory Management Commands
These commands help manage files and folders directly through the CLI.
| Command | Function |
| dir | List files and directories in the current folder |
| cd | Change the current directory |
| mkdir / md | Create a new directory |
| rmdir | Remove (delete) a directory |
| copy | Copy one or more files |
| move | Move or rename files |
| del / erase | Delete one or more files |
| xcopy | Copy files and folders with options |
| robocopy | Copy files/folders robustly (for large/mass transfer) |
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🌐 Network-Related Commands
Use these for diagnosing and managing network connections.
| Command | Function |
| ipconfig | Display IP configuration |
| ping | Test connectivity to a remote host |
| tracert | Trace the route packets take to a host |
| netstat | Show active network connections and ports |
| nslookup | Resolve domain names to IP addresses |
| ftp | Transfer files to/from an FTP server |
| telnet | Connect to remote systems using Telnet |
| net | Manage shared resources, users, and network settings |
⚙️ System & Process Commands
For monitoring and managing your Windows system and running tasks.
| Command | Function |
| tasklist | View all running processes |
| taskkill | Terminate a process |
| systeminfo | Display detailed system configuration |
| chkdsk | Check disk for errors |
| sfc /scannow | Scan and repair system files |
| wmic | Windows Management Instrumentation interface |
| qprocess | Query process info |
| query | Get session/process/user data |
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🔐 Security & Registry Commands
Modify security permissions and manage Windows Registry via CMD.
| Command | Function |
| cacls | Modify file access control lists |
| icacls | View and change file/folder permissions |
| reg | Read, write, and delete registry keys |
| schtasks | Schedule and manage tasks on local or remote computers |
💡 Miscellaneous Utility Commands
Useful general-purpose commands for scripting and interaction.
| Command | Function |
| echo | Display messages or create files |
| cls | Clear the command prompt screen |
| date / time | View or change system date/time |
| doskey | Create command-line shortcuts/macros |
| exit | Exit the command prompt |
| goto | Navigate to a labeled section in batch scripts |
| if | Conditional logic in scripts |
| for | Loop through commands or files |
| runas | Execute a command with different user credentials |
🚀 Advanced Administrative Commands
High-level tools used for deployment, logging, boot management, and more.
| Command | Function |
| bcdedit | Edit boot configuration data |
| bootcfg | Configure boot.ini file (older systems) |
| dism | Service and prepare Windows images |
| eventcreate | Create custom event log entries |
| eventquery | Query system event logs |
| logon | Switch user or log in remotely |
| msiexec | Install, modify, and manage MSI packages |
| reset | Reset a remote desktop session |
🧠 Pro Tips:
- Always run CMD as Administrator when executing system-level or administrative commands.
- Combine commands with batch scripts (.bat files) to automate tasks.
- Use help <command> or <command> /? to see usage options.
💼 Interview Questions and Answers – CMD Commands for Windows
🔧 Ultimate Guide to CMD (Command Prompt) Commands for Windows – File, Network, System & Advanced Tools
✅ Q1: What is the Command Prompt in Windows?
Answer:
The Command Prompt (CMD) is a command-line interpreter in Windows that allows users to execute text-based commands to interact with the operating system. It can be used for file management, system diagnostics, automation, and troubleshooting tasks.
✅ Q2: What’s the difference between copy, xcopy, and robocopy?
Answer:
| Command | Purpose | Best Use Case |
| copy | Copies single files | Simple file copy tasks |
| xcopy | Copies files & directories | More options than copy, supports recursive copying |
| robocopy | Robust copy tool | Large-scale copying with error recovery and multi-threading |
✅ Q3: How do you check IP configuration using CMD?
Answer:
Use the ipconfig command.
Example:
ipconfig /all
This displays detailed IP, DNS, and adapter configuration for all network interfaces.
✅ Q4: How can you check if a remote server is reachable?
Answer:
Use the ping command followed by the hostname or IP address.
Example:
ping google.com
✅ Q5: What does the sfc /scannow command do?
Answer:
The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted ones with a cached copy from the system folder.
✅ Q6: Explain the usage of taskkill.
Answer:
taskkill terminates running processes by process ID or image name.
Example:
taskkill /F /IM notepad.exe
✅ Q7: What’s the purpose of the netstat command?
Answer:
netstat displays active TCP/UDP connections, listening ports, and protocol statistics. It helps in diagnosing network issues and detecting unauthorized connections.
✅ Q8: How do you schedule a task from the Command Prompt?
Answer:
Use the schtasks command.
Example:
schtasks /create /tn “Backup” /tr “backup.bat” /sc daily /st 22:00
✅ Q9: Which command is used to manage Windows boot settings?
Answer:
Use the bcdedit command to view or modify boot configuration data.
✅ Q10: How do you create a new folder using CMD?
Answer:
You can use either:
mkdir NewFolder
or
md NewFolder
📊 Quick Reference Table – CMD Commands by Category
| 🗂️ Category | 🛠️ Command | 🔍 Description |
| File Management | dir, cd, mkdir, copy, move, del | Navigate and manage files/folders |
| Network | ping, ipconfig, netstat, tracert, nslookup | Diagnose network issues |
| System Info | systeminfo, tasklist, chkdsk, sfc, wmic | Monitor and repair system health |
| Process Control | taskkill, query, qprocess | Manage running processes |
| Security & Permissions | icacls, cacls, runas | Modify permissions or run as another user |
| Scheduling & Registry | schtasks, reg | Schedule tasks and manage registry |
| Advanced Tools | dism, bcdedit, msiexec, eventcreate | Image servicing, boot config, logging |
| Batch Scripting | if, for, goto, echo, cls | Build automation scripts |
| Exit/Utility | exit, time, date, doskey | Exit and modify session settings |
📝 Bonus Tips for Interviews:
- Always run CMD as Administrator for system-level operations.
- Use command /? to get built-in help for any command.
- Know when to use CMD vs PowerShell (CMD is simpler; PowerShell is more powerful and object-oriented).
- Demonstrate how you’ve used CMD in real-life troubleshooting or scripting scenarios.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a network issue, automating a system task, or just navigating files faster, mastering Windows CMD commands opens up a world of possibilities. Bookmark this guide as your ultimate Command Prompt cheat sheet for daily use or technical upskilling.