80+ Windows Command Prompt Commands: A Practical Cheatsheet with Examples

Most people avoid the Command Prompt because it looks overwhelming. A black screen, a blinking cursor, and no buttons. But once you understand it, CMD becomes one of the fastest problem-solving tools on Windows. 

When my files refuse to delete, my system slows down, the internet lags, or Windows behaves strangely, I mostly use Windows Command Prompt commands. 

The real issue is how poorly it is explained traditionally. So, I have prepared a cheat sheet of the most useful and some critical CMD commands and a beginner-friendly guide to cut the noise and help you navigate easily.

Quick List of Useful Windows Command Prompt Commands

If you want the essentials and don’t want to scroll through long tables and explanations, this is your cheat sheet. These commands cover most everyday Windows tasks and common problems.

1. Basic Commands:
   • help – List all CMD commands 
   • cls – Clear the screen
   • dir – Show files and folders
   • cd – Change directory
   • ver – Check Windows version
   • exit – Close Command Prompt
2. File & Folder:
   • copy – Copy files
   • move – Move or rename files
   • del – Delete files permanently
   • mkdir – Create folders
   • rmdir – Delete folders
   • robocopy – Advanced file copy
3. Disk & Storage:
   • chkdsk – Check and fix disk errors
   • diskpart – Manage disks and partitions
   • format – Format a drive
4. Network:
   • ipconfig – View IP and network info
   • ping – Test connectivity
   • tracert – Trace network route
   • netsh – Reset network settings
5. Processes & System:
   • tasklist – View running processes
   • taskkill – Force-close apps
   • systeminfo – System details
6. Windows Repair:
   • sfc /scannow – Repair system files
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth – Fix Windows image

What are Windows CMD Commands?

What is Command Prompt?

Command Prompt is a built-in Windows tool that lets you communicate with the operating system using text commands instead of clicks. It is like having a direct conversation with Windows.

Instead of opening menus and pressing buttons, you type a command, and Windows responds with real system-level feedback. It may look old-school, but when the graphic interface fails, CMD usually keeps working.

Windows Command Prompt commands are text-based instructions that tell Windows exactly what to do. Each command performs a specific job. Some commands only show information, while others can change settings, repair files, reset networks, or control running processes.

Windows has hundreds of CMD commands, and there are some version-specific commands as well. So, it is always smart to confirm compatibility before running advanced commands.

What makes CMD powerful is precision. You can give clear instructions, and Windows executes them exactly as written. That is why CMD feels raw, fast, and honest.

Basic Windows Command Prompt Commands

These commands help you navigate CMD, control how it looks, and understand what environment you are working in.

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
CLS	Clears the command prompt screen	cls	cls	Screen clears
CMD	Opens a new CMD window	cmd	cmd	New command prompt appears
HELP	Shows all available CMD commands	help	help	Lists supported commands
EXIT	Closes the CMD window	exit	exit	CMD session ends
COLOR	Changes the text and background color of CMD	color [attr]	color 0A	Text color changes
TITLE	Sets the CMD window title	title [text]	title Admin Console	Window title updates
PROMPT	Customizes the prompt text	prompt [text]	prompt $p$g	Path shown before prompt
VER	Shows the current Windows version	ver	ver	OS version displayed
CHCP	Shows or changes the code page	chcp [nnn]	chcp	Displays active code page
DOSKEY	Enables command history and creates macros	doskey	doskey	Command recall enabled
MODE	Configures system devices	mode	mode	Device status shown
MORE	Shows output page by page	dir | more	dir | more	Pauses output per screen
SORT	Sorts command output	dir | sort	dir | sort	Sorted results displayed
PAUSE	Pauses batch execution	pause	pause	Waits for key press
ECHO	Displays text or toggles command echoing	echo [text]	echo Done	Prints message
REM	Adds comments in batch files	rem [comment]	rem test	No output

File and Folder Management Commands

The following commands allow you to create, delete, move, compare, inspect, and manage files and directories.

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
DIR	Lists directory contents	dir	dir	Files and folders shown
CD / CHDIR	Changes directory	cd [path]	cd C:\Users	No output if successful
TREE	Shows folder structure	tree [path]	tree C:\Data /F	Folder hierarchy displayed
MD / MKDIR	Creates a directory	mkdir [name]	mkdir Logs	Folder created silently
RD / RMDIR	Deletes a directory	rmdir /s [dir]	rmdir /s Old	Folder removed
COPY	Copies files	copy [source] [dest]	copy a.txt D:\	Files copied
XCOPY	Copies files and directories	xcopy [source] [dest] /E	xcopy C:\A D:\B /E	Tree copied
ROBOCOPY	Advanced copy tool	robocopy [source] [dest]	robocopy C:\A D:\B /MIR	Copy summary
MOVE	Moves files/folders	move [source] [dest]	move a.txt D:\	File relocated
DEL / ERASE	Deletes files	del [file]	del old.txt	File deleted
REN / RENAME	Renames files	ren old new	ren a.txt b.txt	Name changed
REPLACE	Replaces files	replace [source] [dest]	replace a.txt D:\	File replaced
TYPE	Displays file contents	type [file]	type readme.txt	Text shown
PRINT	Prints text file	print [file]	print note.txt	Sent to printer
EDIT	Opens text editor	edit [file]	edit config.txt	Editor opens
FIND	Finds text in a file	find “text” file	find “err” log.txt	Matches shown
FINDSTR	Advanced text search	findstr text files	findstr err *.log	Matches listed
FC	Compares text files	fc f1 f2	fc a.txt b.txt	Differences shown
COMP	Compares binary files	comp f1 f2	comp a.bin b.bin	Binary diff
EXPAND	Extracts compressed files	expand [source] [dest]	expand file.cab C:\Temp	Files expanded
OPENFILES	Shows open files	openfiles	openfiles /query	Open files listed
ATTRIB	Changes file attributes	attrib +/-attr file	attrib -h a.txt	Attributes changed
ASSOC	File extension mapping	assoc .ext	assoc .txt	File type shown
FTYPE	File type behavior	ftype [type]	ftype txtfile	Executable mapping
MKLINK	Creates symbolic links	mklink link target	mklink a b	Link created

Disk and Storage Management Commands

These Command Prompt commands can help you manage disks, partitions, file systems, and storage health.

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
CHKDSK	Checks disk errors	chkdsk drive /f	chkdsk C: /f	Disk report
CHKNTFS	Disk check at boot	chkntfs /d	chkntfs /d	Defaults restored
DISKPART	Disk partition tool. It can also help in partition recovery	diskpart	diskpart	Disk shell opens
FORMAT	Formats disk	format drive	format D:	Disk formatted
LABEL	Sets volume label	label drive name	label E: Backup	Label updated
VOL	Shows volume info	vol drive	vol C:	Label + serial
DEFRAG	Defragments disk	defrag drive	defrag C:	Fragmentation report
COMPACT	NTFS compression	compact file	compact /c a.txt	Compression result
CONVERT	FAT to NTFS	convert drive /fs:ntfs	convert D: /fs:ntfs	Conversion progress
FSUTIL	File system control	fsutil cmd	fsutil fsinfo drives	Drive list
RECOVER	Recovers data	recover file	recover D:\a.txt	Data recovered

Network and Internet Troubleshooting CMD Commands

Network and internet commands are essential for diagnosing connectivity issues, DNS errors, and routing failures.

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
IPCONFIG	Network configuration	ipconfig /all	ipconfig /all	IP details
PING	Tests connectivity	ping host	ping google.com	Latency & loss
TRACERT	Traces route	tracert host	tracert 8.8.8.8	Network hops
PATHPING	Advanced tracing	pathping host	pathping google.com	Loss per hop
NSLOOKUP	DNS lookup	nslookup host	nslookup openai.com	DNS response
NETSTAT	Active connections	netstat -ano	netstat -ano	Ports & PIDs
ROUTE	Routing table	route print	route print	Routes shown
ARP	IP-MAC mapping	arp -a	arp -a	ARP table
NETSH	Network settings	netsh cmd	netsh winsock reset	Stack reset
GETMAC	MAC addresses	getmac	getmac	MAC listed
HOSTNAME	Computer name	hostname	hostname	Name shown
NBTSTAT	NetBIOS stats	nbtstat -n	nbtstat -n	NetBIOS info
TFTP	File transfer	tftp host	tftp -i host put a.txt	Transfer status
TELNET	Remote terminal	telnet host	telnet mail.com 25	Remote session
NET USE	Network drives	net use drive share	net use Z: \\Srv\Share	Drive mapped

Process, Service, and Performance Windows CMD Commands

Use the following commands to monitor running applications, services, and system performance. 

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
TASKLIST	Lists processes	tasklist	tasklist	Running tasks
TASKKILL	Kills processes	taskkill /pid id	taskkill /pid 1234 /f	Process ended
SYSTEMINFO	System details	systeminfo	systeminfo	Hardware info
DRIVERQUERY	Lists drivers	driverquery	driverquery	Driver list
SC	Service control	sc query	sc query	Service status
SCHTASKS	Scheduled tasks	schtasks /query	schtasks /query	Task list
START	Starts programs	start app	start notepad	App opens
WMIC	System queries	wmic cmd	wmic cpu get name	CPU info
SET	Env variables	set var	set PATH	Value shown
SETX	Persistent vars	setx var val	setx TEST 1	Saved
WHOAMI	Current user	whoami	whoami	User shown

Windows System Repair Commands (Must Know)

These commands are critical for fixing corrupted Windows components and boot issues. 

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
SFC	Repairs system files	sfc /scannow	sfc /scannow	Repair status
DISM	Repairs image	DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth	same	Image repaired
BCDEDIT	Boot config	bcdedit	bcdedit	Boot entries
REAGENTC	Recovery env	reagentc /info	reagentc /info	Recovery status
VERIFY	Disk verification	verify on	verify on	Write check
WBADMIN	Backup tool	wbadmin get versions	wbadmin get versions	Backup list
VSSADMIN	Shadow copies	vssadmin list shadows	same	Shadow list

Advanced CMD Commands for Power Users and Troubleshooting

These are some advanced Windows Command Prompt commands that are mainly used in scripting, automation, security, and enterprise environments.

Command	Description	Syntax	Example	Output/Output Meaning
CALL	Calls the batch file	call file.bat	call test.bat	Returns after
FOR	Loops commands	for %f in () do	for %f in (*.txt) do type %f	Iterated output
IF	Conditional logic	if condition	if exist a.txt echo ok	Condition result
GOTO	Jumps labels	goto label	goto end	Flow jump
SHIFT	Shifts arguments	shift	shift	Params shifted
SETLOCAL	Local env	setlocal	setlocal	Scope starts
ENDLOCAL	End local env	endlocal	endlocal	Scope ends
PUSHD	Saves directory	pushd path	pushd D:\	Directory saved
POPD	Restores directory	popd	popd	Directory restored
PATH	Sets exe path	set path value	set PATH=%PATH%;C:\Tools	Path set
RUNAS	Run as user	runas /user:u cmd	runas /user:Admin cmd	New session
TAKEOWN	Ownership	takeown /f file	takeown /f a.txt	Owner changed
ICACLS	Permissions	icacls file	icacls a.txt /grant U:F	ACL updated
CACLS	Legacy ACLs	cacls file	cacls a.txt	ACL shown
CIPHER	Encrypts files	cipher /E path	cipher /E C:\Sec	Encrypted
NET USER	User accounts	net user u p	net user test 123 /add	User added
GPRESULT	Policy result	gpresult /r	gpresult /r	Policy report
GPUPDATE	Refresh policy	gpupdate /force	gpupdate /force	Policy updated

Why Use Command Prompt Instead of Windows UI?

Command Prompt exists for moments when clicking around either fails, slows you down, or simply does not give you real answers. Here is why you should rely more on the Command Prompt:

• It displays exact errors, not vague messages. Instead of messages like ‘Something went wrong’, CMD tells you what failed, where it failed, and why it failed. That clarity can save you hours during troubleshooting.

• When File Explorer crashes or settings refuse to open, you can still launch the Command Prompt on most occasions. It needs fewer system resources and does not depend on graphical components.

• CMD is faster for repeated tasks like deleting files, resetting networks, checking disk health, or killing frozen apps. It just takes a few seconds. Doing the same through menus takes much longer. 

• It gives you full control and allows you to target exact files, folders, services, and system components.

• It grows with your skill level. You can start with simple commands like ‘dir’ and ‘ipconfig’. Over time, you will be able to repair Windows images, fix corrupted SD cards, automate tasks, and diagnose deep system issues.

Windows Command Prompt is not meant to replace UI. But it is a better option when accuracy, speed, and recovery matter to you.

Important Things to Know Before Using CMD

Command Prompt is powerful, which can also hurt you if not used properly. Before you run commands blindly, keep the following things in mind:

• Many commands require admin rights. So, if you are working with system files, disks, or network settings, always open CMD as an administrator.

• CMD does not ask for confirmation; commands like deleting a folder or formatting drives happen immediately. A wrong path can cause instant damage. So, always proofread your command before pressing Enter.
  
• Make sure you always read the output information. Ignoring output means missing half the message.
  
• CMD is literal in nature; paths, spelling, quotes, and spaces matter. A single mistake can break a command.
  
• Commands like CHKDSK, SFC, or DISM may look stuck. But they just take more time, and interrupting them can cause more harm than good.

Furthermore, just make sure that you do not run commands you do not understand. If you are not sure, stop and check what the command does first. Otherwise, it may break your system.

How to Open the Command Prompt? (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Accessing the Command Prompt on Windows is simple. Just follow these steps, and you can easily open and use the commands you have just learned about.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type cmd on the search bar.

Step 2: Now, to view information or for basic use, just Enter and you will see a black window with a blinking cursor.

Step 3: If you want to use CMD for repairs, system fixes, or network resets, right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as administrator. 

If the title bar says Administrator: Command Prompt, you are good to go. Skipping this step is the main reason beginners see “Access is denied” for many commands.

Alternate Methods to Open Command Prompt: 

• Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
• For admin mode: Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

  

Real-World Examples of Common Windows CMD Tasks

Let me show you that CMD is more than just theory. Below are some real problems people face and the exact commands that fix them.

1. Fix Corrupted Windows System Files

If Windows feels unstable, your apps crash randomly, or updates fail, this should be your first move. 

Open the command prompt as administrator, run the following command, and restart your computer:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

DISM repairs the Windows image, and SFC replaces corrupted system files. With this, you can even fix the USB device not recognized error on Windows.

2. Fix “Connected but no internet” Issues

ipconfig /flushdns

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

This will clear the DNS cache and reset the network stack. Just run these Windows Command Prompt commands and restart.

3. Find Large Files Consuming Disk Space

dir C:\ /s /o:-s

This command lists your files from largest to smallest. You can use it to identify forgotten installers, logs, or backups, which are of no use now.

4. Kill a Frozen Application Instantly 

tasklist

taskkill /im appname.exe /f

Here, replace “appname.exe” with the actual process name. The best part is that this works even when Task Manager fails.

5. Check Disk Health 

chkdsk C: /f /r

You can use it to check disk health after improper shutdowns. If the drive is in use, Windows will ask to schedule the scan on reboot. Just type Y and restart.

6. Check Your IP Address and Network Details

ipconfig /all

Run the command and look at the IPv4 address, the default gateway, and the DNS servers. This command alone can solve many “internet not working” issues.

7. Check System Uptime

systeminfo

It can be useful when diagnosing memory leaks or slowdowns caused by long uptimes.

8. Quickly Navigate to a Deep Folder

cd “C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp”

This is faster than clicking through hidden folders in File Explorer.

You don’t need to use Command Prompt every day. However, when Windows misbehaves, knowing these commands gives you control over your system instead of frustration.

Final Thoughts

One thing that you need to understand is that the Windows Command Prompt commands are not outdated; they are just misunderstood. 

Most Windows issues feel complex because the UI hides real system feedback. CMD removes that layer and shows you what is actually happening.

I have given you almost all the useful commands, but you don’t need to memorize hundreds of them. You just need to remember a few important ones, and understand why a command exists, when to use it, and how to read its output.