Typically, for most users, the command line remains something mysterious from the programming world, since few people encounter it when working. But there are often cases when it is simply necessary. For example, it can come in handy for checking network settings, which cannot be done in any other way. However, the command line is not limited to network settings. Let's look at the simplest commands, for example, cd and move, as well as more complex ones, for example, wuauclt.
It is worth noting that these commands are not only for the command line. They can be called without it. However, they very often output the result to standard output, that is, if they are called without a command line, then their result will flash before your eyes very quickly, almost imperceptibly. So, the command line is launched using "Start" - "Run", after which you need to enter cmd - ok. If there is no such item in the menu, then you can use the combination WIN + R.
Basic commands: description
The command line always shows in which directory you are currently located. To move to another directory, you can use the cd command, you just need to enter it, and then write the address of the new directory, then press enter. And here the fact is that you can specify both the full path and the relative, that is, it will be counted from the current directory. And to switch to another disk, it will not be enough for you to use the cd command, it needs to be supplemented, for example, with the d: command, and then confirm.
If you wrote a long command, which you confirmed, after which the system simply “cursed”, and you understood where your mistake is, then it is not necessary to write everything from the beginning. It is necessary to press the up arrow, which will allow you to call the previous command, which you can rewrite.
The following basic commands are del, move, and copy. The first is for deleting a file, the second for moving it, and the third for copying. You can practice on some files that are not valuable. The basic commands may well include path. You can enter it and look at the result. Programs from the directories listed in its parameters can be launched without specifying the full path. To add a new directory, you need to perform simple manipulations by adding path =% PATH%; newdir.
The Windows command line does not allow copying and pasting using standard operating system keyboard shortcuts , but it has a context menu that is very convenient. By right-clicking you will see everything you need.
Command Line: Useful Utilities
You can use several convenient commands that allow you to do something new for yourself.
Shutdown - allows you to shut down the computer directly from the command line. After the command, you can add very important parameters: -r to reboot, -t N - shutdown will happen after N seconds, -a - allows you to cancel the already scheduled reboot.
Msconfig is a special utility through which you can configure what to start or not to start the next time you turn on the computer. This can be very useful if you are looking for reasons to slow down at work.
gpedit.msc configures group policies. This is a very difficult topic to cover in this article.
services.msc allows you to manage the main services of the operating system.
wuauclt / detectnow allows you to start the update search process.
Getmac allows you to find out the MAC addresses of your computer without the need for any special commands or parameters.
It’s important to say that the Windows 7 command line works exactly the same with the same commands. Therefore, you will not have problems with the transition to a new operating system.