Most users of personal computers do not face the need to use any CMD command. Many simply lack the functions provided by the visual shell of the operating system. Nevertheless, there are situations when you have to manipulate the system directly, and then the command line comes to the rescue.
What is the command line
This software is part of the standard system programs. CMD gives the user the ability to work with the system and files directly. The application has a text interface, and the result is displayed on the screen. Simply put, the command line translates user requests into a system-friendly form. Outwardly, of course, the program does not look very familiar to a simple user, but at the same time it has a number of positive properties, and besides, it is faster than the visual component. The command line is built into every version of the Windows operating system.
Ways to run the command line
The developers of the operating system have provided several options for launching CMD:
- Go to the Start menu / standard programs / then select "Command Prompt" in the list.
- Go to the Start menu, select "Run," in the window that appears, enter CMD.exe in the line. The Run window can also be called up using the Win + R key combination.
- Go to the system folder C: \ Windows \ system32 and select the program CMD.exe.
Cmd team
Most of the most important commands can be obtained using the Help command. After entering this request, the CMD Windows command will appear with information about their application. All of them can be divided into several fairly large groups. Their separation occurs on the principle of application. For example, CMD commands run used commands. Below will be presented the most common of them. They are also the most necessary CMD line commands.
Basic commands for working with system catalogs
This list of commands is useful if you need to access folders located in the system:
- Dir - provides the ability to view folders in a list. Using additional command line criteria, you can sort directories by a number of options.
- RD - provides the ability to delete an unnecessary directory. With additional parameters, you can specify deletion criteria: for example, delete several folders at once.
- MD - the command creates a new folder (directory). Various options allow you to create directories of different types.
- CD - provides the ability to move from one directory to another, in some cases you will need to use quotation marks.
- XCopy - used to copy folders, but their structure does not change. Unlike Copy, this one has more advanced features of the command. Through CMD, with this request, quite flexible operations can be carried out.
- Tree - provides the ability to display directories in graphical form. By default, display occurs through pseudo-graphics.
- Move - used for both moving and changing the directory name. The command allows you to move several folders at a time.
Basic file commands
These cmd file commands can come in handy for many personal computer users:
- del - the command is used to delete. It can be used to delete both one and several files. In addition, it is possible to delete read-only files;
- edit - using a command, a text editor is launched;
- ren - allows you to rename the file. You can also use rename;
- move - used to move and rename a file;
- copy con - allows you to create a new file;
- fc - allows you to compare what is in two files. The result of the work are appearing symbols that give information about the status of the comparison;
- type - applicable for text documents. The execution of the command is to display the contents of the file;
- copy - allows you to copy as well as merge files.
Commands for diagnostics of the railway computer and system
In addition to all these advantages, CMD commands allow you to check for errors in the operation of hard drives or change volume labels, as well as do defragmentation.
- Compact - the command allows you to display and configure compression in the NTFS file system. By using this command you can significantly save disk space.
- Format - format a disk or floppy disk. Please note that formatting will completely delete all data on the media.
- Chkdisk - checks and displays information about the medium. The team will help you learn about the occupied space, the amount of space in the damaged sectors, and so on.
- Fsutil - provides information about the file system and allows you to make changes to it.
- Chkntfs - allows you to show and configure disk check during Windows startup.
- Convert - allows you to convert a volume from one file system to another. Cannot change the type of the active volume or disk.
- Recover - a command to recover data from damaged media. This process occurs by reading one sector after another. Reading occurs only from those sectors from which it is possible to read. Data located in physically damaged sectors will not be restored. Most often, thus recovering text documents from damaged diskettes.
- Diskpart - allows you to open disk data and perform the required configuration.
- Vol - provides information about the serial number of the hard drive.
- Label - used to view and edit volume labels. Please note that for FAT32 file systems, the name of the volume can contain no more than 11 characters, and NTFS 32 characters.
Information Teams
This type of command will help to obtain data on versions, configurations, and installed drivers:
- ver - provides information about the version of the system using the CMD command, Windows 7 also supports this request;
- driverquery - allows you to view information about installed drivers; Display can occur in the form of a list, table or CSV;
- systeminfo - provides information about system configurations. Configurations can be viewed both on the local and remote computers, in addition, the command provides properties about service packs.
Process and Application Management Commands
Commands for managing and changing operating system parameters:
- shutdown - this command is used to shut down, restart, or put the computer into sleep mode. If the user has the necessary rights, it is possible to make settings remotely;
- time - used to display and change the current time;
- date - used to display and change the current date;
- tasklist - provides the user with a list of processes currently running on the local or remote personal computer;
- schtasks - allows you to create, configure or delete scheduled tasks in the operating system. In the graphical interface, the command is represented by the "Task Scheduler" program;
- taskkill - used to shut down processes by means of identifiers or names of executable files. The tool began to be used with Windows XP.
Commands to configure the command line
This group of commands relates directly to configuring the operation of CMD. Commands will help to clear the screen, change its appearance and so on:
- Exit - allows you to close batch data or completely close the command line.
- Color - provides the ability to change the background color or font in the command window. The color is specified by a hexadecimal digit. The most significant bit indicates brightness, and the subsequent ones indicate color. The default is white letters on a black background.
- Title - allows you to change the name of the window CMD.exe.
- CMD - allows you to start a new Windows command line interpreter window. Typically, the need for this command arises when you need to predefine the current CMD settings.
- Prompt - allows you to change the command line greeting. If you use the command without parameters, then the invitation text will look like: the current drive, the directory and the "more" symbol.
CMD Network Commands
For most users, the need for these requests is extremely rare, but professionals believe that these codes are very helpful when working with a computer:
- getmac - the command provides information about the hardware addresses of network adapters. In this case, you can find out both local and remote addresses;
- netsh.exe - the command opens another line. Using it, if necessary, you can configure the network. Many experienced users find this program indispensable. To get help about the teams you must write it with a question mark;
- ipconfig - allows you to get information about the protocol settings. Sometimes a command allows you to update data automatically. Older operating systems may not support the operation of this CMD command;
- nbtstat - the main purpose of the command is to display NetBt information. in addition, names and contents are displayed;
- netstat.exe - this command displays connection information. The output data allows you to see all the information related to the network protocols.
It is worth remembering that, in addition to these network commands, there are some more that will help simplify the work of users. It should be remembered that you need to use these commands only when there is confidence in the action being taken. Improper use of CMD commands can lead to serious problems in the operation of a personal computer.
List of useful commands
In addition to the above commands, there are a huge number of others:
- break - the command allows you to enable CTRL + C key processing;
- debug - launches a tool for debugging and other changes to software products;
- devcon - the command launches a tool alternative to the task manager;
- exe2bin - the command converts exe format applications to binary format;
- hostname - provides the ability to get the computer name;
- logoff - the command shuts down the Windows system.
All the above CMD commands will simplify the work with some software tools. The main thing is not to try to use requests not for their intended purpose, in order to avoid the loss of important information and other undesirable consequences.