Windows command prompt commands list

The arp command is available in all versions of Windows. Assoc The assoc command is used to display or change the file type associated with a particular file extension. At The at command is used to schedule commands and other programs to run at a specific date and time. Beginning in Windows 8, command line task scheduling should instead be completed with the schtasks command. The atmadm command is available in Windows XP.

Attrib The attrib command is used to change the attributes of a single file or a directory. Auditpol The auditpol command is used to display or change audit policies. Bcdboot The bcdboot command is used to copy boot files to the system partition and to create a new system BCD store.

The bcdboot command is available in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Bcdedit The bcdedit command is used to view or make changes to Boot Configuration Data.

The bcdedit command replaced the bootcfg command beginning in Windows Vista. The bdehdcfg command is available in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Bitsadmin The bitsadmin command is used to create, manage, and monitor download and upload jobs.

The bitsadmin command is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. While the bitsadmin command is available in both Windows 8 and Windows 7, it is being phased out. Bootcfg The bootcfg command is used to build, modify, or view the contents of the boot. The bootcfg command was replaced by the bcdedit command beginning in Windows Vista. Bootcfg is still available in Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista, but it serves no real value since boot. The bootsect command is available in Windows 10 and Windows 8.

Cacls The cacls command is used to display or change access control lists of files. The cacls command is being phased out in favor of the icacls command, which should be used instead in all versions of Windows after Windows XP. Call The call command is used to run a script or batch program from within another script or batch program.

The call command has no effect outside of a script or batch file. Cd The cd command is the shorthand version of the chdir command.

Certreq The certreq command is used to perform various certification authority CA certificate functions. Certutil The certutil command is used to dump and display certification authority CA configuration information in addition to other CA functions. Change The change command changes various terminal server settings like install modes, COM port mappings, and logons. Chcp The chcp command displays or configures the active code page number. Chdir The chdir command is used to display the drive letter and folder that you are currently in.

Checknetisolation The checknetisolation command is used to test apps that require network capabilities. The checknetisolation command is available in Windows 10 and Windows 8. Chglogon The chglogon command enables, disables, or drains terminal server session logins. Executing the chglogon command is the same as executing change logon.

Executing the chgport command is the same as executing change port. Chgusr The chgusr command is used to change the install mode for the terminal server. Executing the chgusr command is the same as executing change user.

Chkdsk The chkdsk command , often referred to as check disk, is used to identify and correct certain hard drive errors. Chkntfs The chkntfs command is used to configure or display the checking of the disk drive during the Windows boot process.

Choice The choice command is used within a script or batch program to provide a list of choices and return the value of that choice to the program. Cipher The cipher command shows or changes the encryption status of files and folders on NTFS partitions. Clip The clip command is used to redirect the output from any command to the clipboard in Windows.

Cls The cls command clears the screen of all previously entered commands and other text. Cmd The cmd command starts a new instance of the cmd. Cmdkey The cmdkey command is used to show, create, and remove stored user names and passwords. Cmstp The cmstp command installs or uninstalls a Connection Manager service profile.

Color The color command is used to change the colors of the text and background within the Command Prompt window. Command The command command starts a new instance of the command. The command command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Comp The comp command is used to compare the contents of two files or sets of files. Compact The compact command is used to show or change the compression state of files and directories on NTFS partitions.

Copy The copy command does simply that — it copies one or more files from one location to another. The xcopy command is considered to be a more "powerful" version of the copy command. Cscript The cscript command is used to execute scripts via Microsoft Script Host. The cscript command is available in all versions of Windows. The cscript command is most popularly used to manage printers from the command line using scripts like prncnfg.

Ctty The ctty command is used to change the default input and output devices for the system. The functions provided by the ctty command were no longer necessary beginning in Windows XP because the command.

Date The date command is used to show or change the current date. Dblspace The dblspace command is used to create or configure DoubleSpace compressed drives. DriveSpace, executed using the drvspace command, is an updated version of DoubleSpace. Windows began handling compression beginning in Windows XP. Debug The debug command starts Debug, a command line application used to test and edit programs.

The debug command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Defrag The defrag command is used to defragment a drive you specify. The defrag command is the command line version of Microsoft's Disk Defragmenter.

Del The del command is used to delete one or more files. The del command is the same as the erase command. Deltree The deltree command is used to delete a directory and all the files and subdirectories within it. Deltree was no longer needed with this new rmdir ability so the command was removed. Diantz The diantz command is used to losslessly compress one or more files. The diantz command is sometimes called Cabinet Maker. The diantz command is the same as the makecab command.

Dir The dir command is used to display a list of files and folders contained inside the folder that you are currently working in. The dir command also displays other important information like the hard drive's serial number , the total number of files listed, their combined size, the total amount of free space left on the drive , and more.

Diskcomp The diskcomp command is used to compare the contents of two floppy disks. Diskcopy The diskcopy command is used to copy the entire contents of one floppy disk to another. Diskpart The diskpart command is used to create, manage, and delete hard drive partitions.

The diskpart command replaced the fdisk command beginning in Windows XP. Diskperf The diskperf command is used to manage disk performance counters remotely. The dism command is available in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Dispdiag The dispdiag command is used to output a log of information about the display system.

Djoin The djoin command is used to create a new computer account in a domain. Doskey The doskey command is used to edit command lines, create macros, and recall previously entered commands. A graphical file manager, Windows Explorer, became an integrated part of the operating system beginning in Windows The dosx command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Driverquery The driverquery command is used to show a list of all installed drivers. Drvspace The drvspace command is used to create or configure DriveSpace compressed drives.

DriveSpace is an updated version of DoubleSpace, executed using the dblspace command. Echo The echo command is used to show messages, most commonly from within script or batch files. The echo command can also be used to turn the echoing feature on or off. The edit command is not available in bit versions of Windows.

Edlin The edlin command starts the Edlin tool which is used to create and modify text files from the command line. The edlin command is available in all bit versions of Windows but is not available in bit versions of Windows. Windows itself has access to extended and expanded memory beginning in Windows Endlocal The endlocal command is used to end the localization of environment changes inside a batch or script file. Erase The erase command is used to delete one or more files.

The erase command is the same as the del command. Esentutl The esentutl command is used to manage Extensible Storage Engine databases. Eventcreate The eventcreate command is used to create a custom event in an event log. Eventtriggers The eventtriggers command is used to configure and display event triggers. The eventtriggers command is available in Windows XP. Exe2bin The exe2bin command is used to convert a file of the EXE file type executable file to a binary file.

The exe2bin command is not available in any bit version of Windows. Exit The exit command is used to end the cmd. The expand command is not available in the bit version of Windows XP. The extrac32 command is available in all versions of Windows. The extrac32 command is actually a CAB extraction program for use by Internet Explorer but can be used to extract any Microsoft Cabinet file.

Use the expand command instead of the extrac32 command if possible. The extract command is available in Windows 98 and The extract command was replaced by the expand command beginning in Windows XP. The help command replaced the fasthelp command beginning in Windows Fastopen The fastopen command is used to add a program's hard drive location to a special list stored in memory, potentially improving the program's launch time by removing the need for MS-DOS to locate the application on the drive.

The fastopen command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Fc The fc command is used to compare two individual or sets of files and then show the differences between them. Fdisk The fdisk command is used to create, manage, and delete hard drive partitions. The fdisk command was replaced by the diskpart command beginning in Windows XP.

Find The find command is used to search for a specified text string in one or more files. Findstr The findstr command is used to find text string patterns in one or more files. Finger The finger command is used to return information about one or more users on a remote computer that's running the Finger service.

Fltmc The fltmc command is used to load, unload, list, and otherwise manage Filter drivers. Fondue The fondue command, short for Features on Demand User Experience Tool, is used to install any of the several optional Windows features from the command line. The fondue command is available in Windows 8. Optional Windows features can also be installed from the Programs and Features applet in Control Panel.

For The for command is used to run a specified command for each file in a set of files. The for command is most often used within a batch or script file. The forcedos command is only available in bit versions of Windows XP. Forfiles The forfiles command selects one or more files to execute a specified command on.

The forfiles command is most often used within a batch or script file. Format The format command is used to format a drive in the file system that you specify. Fsutil The fsutil command is used to perform various FAT and NTFS file system tasks like managing reparse points and sparse files, dismounting a volume, and extending a volume.

Ftp The ftp command can be used to transfer files to and from another computer. The remote computer must be operating as an FTP server. The ftp command is available in all versions of Windows. Ftype The ftype command is used to define a default program to open a specified file type.

Getmac The getmac command is used to display the media access control MAC address of all the network controllers on a system.

Goto The goto command is used in a batch or script file to direct the command process to a labeled line in the script. Gpresult The gpresult command is used to display Group Policy settings. Gpupdate The gpupdate command is used to update Group Policy settings. Graftabl The graftabl command is used to enable the ability of Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode.

The graftabl command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Graphics The graphics command is used to load a program that can print graphics. The graphics command is not available in bit versions of Windows.

Hostname The hostname command displays the name of the current host. Hwrcomp The hwrcomp command is used to compile custom dictionaries for handwriting recognition. The hwrcomp command is available in Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Hwrreg The hwrreg command is used to install a previously compiled custom dictionary for handwriting recognition. The hwrreg command is available in Windows 8 and Windows 7. Icacls The icacls command is used to display or change access control lists of files. The icacls command is an updated version of the cacls command.

If The if command is used to perform conditional functions in a batch file. Interlnk The interlnk command is used to connect two computers via a serial or parallel connection to share files and printers.

The ability to directly connect two computers is handled by the networking functions in all versions of Windows. Intersvr The intersvr command is used to start the Interlnk server and to copy Interlnk files from one computer to another. The ipconfig command can also be used to release and renew IP addresses on systems configured to receive them via a DHCP server.

The ipconfig command is available in all versions of Windows. Ipxroute The ipxroute command is used to display and change information about IPX routing tables. The ipxroute command is available in Windows XP. Microsoft removed their built-in NetWare client beginning in Windows Vista, removing the associated ipxroute command as well. Irftp The irftp command is used to transmit files over an infrared link. The irftp command is available in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

The kb16 command is not available in bit versions of Windows. Keyb The keyb command is used to configure a keyboard for a specific language. See the kb16 command for an equivalent command in later versions of Windows. Klist The klist command is used to list Kerberos service tickets. The klist command can also be used to purge Kerberos tickets. The klist command is available in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

Ksetup The ksetup command is used to configure connections to a Kerberos server. The ksetup command is available in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7. Sabarinath - December 5, 0. How to personalize and configure Android so that it can be used by the elderly or older people? The first thing that pops up Microsoft Defender is now available for Android, although you may not August 30, December 31, June 30, January 3, July 1, Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.

Feedback will be sent to Microsoft: By pressing the submit button, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Privacy policy. All supported versions of Windows and Windows Server have a set of Win32 console commands built in. This set of documentation describes the Windows Commands you can use to automate tasks by using scripts or scripting tools.

Windows has two command-line shells: the Command shell and PowerShell. Each shell is a software program that provides direct communication between you and the operating system or application, providing an environment to automate IT operations.

The Command shell was the first shell built into Windows to automate routine tasks, like user account management or nightly backups, with batch. With Windows Script Host, you could run more sophisticated scripts in the Command shell. Outputs the content of a file for example, a text file by the page. Sends a message to another user. Provides country-specific information for language support. Runs backup services directly from the command line or as part of batch or script files.

Creates and displays the path for searching executable files. Pauses execution in batch files and scripts. Changes to the folder saved by the pushd command. Prints a text file. Saves a specific path into a script or batch file. Deletes a directory. Allows a user to run commands with the rights of another user.

Starts Microsoft ScanDisk. Sets the execution of specified programs and commands for a specified point in time.

Displays environmental variables of CMD. Lists out data from a file or command and outputs it again sorted — directly in the command prompt, in a new file, or in another output.

Opens a new command prompt window in which you can run a specific program or command. Assigns a drive letter to a path to create a virtual drive. Ends one or more running tasks. Lists all running processes — also on remote computers, if desired. Displays the current time and allows it to be changed. Stops a process for a specified time. Changes the title of the command prompt. Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or path. Sets the path in which files will be searched for.

Changes attributes of specified files. Displays and changes the encryption status of files and directories on NTFS partitions. Compares the content of two files or two file sets. Displays and changes the compression status of files and directories on NTFS partitions.

Copies a file or multiple files to another location. Runs scripts over the Microsoft Script Host. Deletes a file or multiple files. Deletes a directory as well as all subdirectories and files within. Compresses files without any loss command has the same function as makecab. Ends the valid range of changes to batch files or scripts. Extracts files and folders stored in CAB files. Extracts files and folders stored in CAB files in new Windows versions use expand. Compares two individual files or two sets of files with one another and displays the differences.

Sets a specific command that should be run for each individual file in a file set. Selects one or more files and runs a command that refers to these files.

Specifies a program for opening a specific file type. Skips the execution within a batch program to a specific line marker.

Represents a conditional statement and executes expressions within batch files only under certain conditions. Compresses files without loss in CAB format you can also use the diantz command. Creates a symbolic link to a file.

Moves a file or multiple files from one directory to another. Displays and separates open system files and folders. Restores readable files that were on a defective data drive. Changes the name of a particular file. Replaces the selected file or files with one or more other files.

Allows so-called robust file copying. Manages media on removable storage devices. Limits the valid range of changes to batch files or scripts. Starts the WinSxs Tracing Utility, a tool for programming diagnostics. Restores administrator access rights to a file that have been lost when reassigning a user. When enabled, checks whether files are written correctly on a data drive.

Finds files that match a particular search topic. Copies files and entire directory structures. Starts commands and programs at a particular time. Creates backups of files. Allows users to make changes to start configuration data storage the command is a new version of bootcfq.

Prepares a hard drive for BitLocker Drive Encryption. Creates, edits, or displays the content of boot. Edits and displays the access control list. Changes or displays the data driver check at startup.

Changes the standard input and output for the system. Creates or configures compresses drives a newer version of the command is called drvspace.

Defragments all or only specified drives. Manages, creates, and deletes partitions from the hard drive. Allows users to remotely control the disk performance counter. Creates or configures compressed drives. Manages databases within the extensible storage engine.

Creates an entry ID and message in an event log. Creates, deletes, and manages partitions on the hard drive. Allows users to manage and display filter drivers. Installs additional Windows features. Formats a drive to the file system specified by the user.

Provides numerous features related to the file system, such as disk removal. Compiles self-created dictionaries for handwriting recognition. Installs a compiled dictionary for handwriting recognition.

Loads a program into the high memory area UMB — has the same function as loadhigh. Locks a drive so that only a user-selected program can access it directly. Updates all registry entries that have to do with performance indicators. Creates and manages event trace sessions and performance logs. Configures drive encryption with BitLocker. Displays information about the RAM and indicates which programs are currently loaded in it.

Creates and deletes mount points for drives and displays them. Starts Microsoft Backup replaces backup and restores. Starts the program Microsoft Diagnostics, with which system information can be displayed. Starts the Windows installer, with which Windows can be installed and configured. Starts an automatic setup process for the multilingual user interface MUI.