Windows Shell is the outer core layer of the operating system. With its help, the user gets access to the services, files and computing capabilities of the computer. Through the Windows shell, applications start and stop, monitoring and batch processing are carried out. How to manage Shell, where and what commands to enter for this, read on.
GUI Shell and Classic Shell
An operating system shell consists of a set of programs that provide a user interface. Elements of the Shell operating shell include the Start menu, taskbar, desktop, various functions for managing files and Flip 3D.
The shell is a kind of bridge between the operating system and the user. Windows Shell interprets all commands in graphical (GUI) or textual (TUI) form. The core of the GUI is Windows Explorer. After downloading, the application implements icons, windows, a toolbar and other visible elements that provide access to OS files.
Starting with Windows 8.0, Microsoft began to change the graphical interface of the shell and not for the better. The anger of users, and perhaps common sense, forced developers to create Classic Shell for Windows 10.
This is a program for customizing the appearance of the toolbar, the Start menu and adding new functions to the Explorer. With its help, the OS shell is configured to the familiar, classic Windows 7 interface.
How to work with the utility?
Before you start, you need to download the program. The distribution is in the public domain on the official website of the developer. Classic Shell is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 and includes three components:
- Explorer Classic Explorer. Adds a toolbar and status bar to File Explorer.
- Classic Start Menu. Adds a start button and a traditional menu.
- Classic IE9. Adds a title bar and status bar for Internet Explorer.
After the installation of Classic Shell is complete, a window opens offering to customize the appearance, styles of the Start menu and add hot keys. You can choose exactly which items will be displayed in the menu, enable new functions and even change the appearance of the button itself to your favorite image in .bmp and .png format.
Text interface and command line
The text user interface is fundamentally different from the graphical one. Working with him is much more difficult. All information is presented in the form of special characters, letters and numbers, rather than simple and understandable windows. But TUI is much less demanding on computer resources, and text-based programs run faster and run on low-power equipment.
The part of the Windows Shell operating system that provides computer control through interactive command input is called the shell. There are two kinds of interpreters for the Windows operating system. The first is cmd.exe, or the command line, the second is PowerShell.
In appearance, the command line largely repeats MS-DOS. Management is completely carried out by typing and entering alphanumeric instructions. For this reason, the command line is considered the exclusive domain of programmers and system administrators. Beginners consider it something mysterious and incomprehensible.
But the command line provides quick execution of computer tasks, instant search and launch of programs. When a virus infects the system, the graphical interface is completely blocked or freezes. In this situation, access to files is possible only through the shell.
Getting started and a list of important CMD commands
There are several ways to get to the command line. It all depends on the version of the installed operating system. To start working with Command Shell in Windows XP, you need to find “Run” in the Start menu and enter cmd.exe. In later versions, just click Win + R.
The total number of commands for cmd is about 280, depending on the version, the number changes. To see the whole list, go to the console, type help and press "Enter". There is no point in memorizing them to the average user. We offer you to get acquainted with the most necessary teams that are useful in all-round work.
Assoc
There is a separate opening program for each type of file. For example, Foxit, the Microsoft Office suite for .doc, is for the PDF format. To select the necessary software, you need to know the extension. But there are so many of them that there is a risk of forgetting or confusing .txt with .css or .docs. The Assoc team helps with this task and lists file type mappings.
Cipher
The command is designed to work with encrypted folders and files on NTFS drives. Usually they work with them in the Windows Shell GUI, but in this mode, complete deletion of files is impossible. Remains a backup, taking up extra space.
You can permanently erase all data and clear space on unused portions of NTFS volumes through Cipher. To do this, at the Windows Shell command prompt, type cipher / W: path. The / W switch deletes all files at the specified path without the possibility of their recovery.
Shutdown
In Windows 8 and above, there is a restart function with special boot options. Shell Windows 7 does not have this option. Instead, the Shutdown command is used:
- shutdown –s shuts down;
- shutdown –r reboots;
- shutdown –t 30 will turn off the computer after a specified number at the end of the time, in this case, after half an hour;
- shutdown –f means force a session termination with shutdown of all running applications.
The action of the command depends on the parameter indicated at the end. S means stop, r stands for reload, t is time.
System file checker
The SFC command is designed to check the OS file system. It finds damaged “broken” files and replaces them without the direct involvement of the user. This is an indispensable tool for system recovery and the best antidote from BSOD - the "death screen".
- sfc / scannow - immediately checks with automatic file replacement;
- / scanonce - the check will be launched at the next restart;
- / scanboot - automatic check at each restart, to cancel it, sfc Revert is entered at the Windows Shell command prompt
- / verifyonly - check without corrections;
You can run the program only as administrator. To do this, before starting work, you need to go to "user accounts" and uncheck "disable administrator rights".
Driverquery
The last utility that every conscious user should be able to work with is DriverQuery. It generates a list of drivers. If you add the parameter v at the end, the program will show all the additional information. Using DriverQuery, you can find missing or requiring driver reinstallations. It is possible to monitor remote drivers by entering the appropriate IP address.