🔧 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.