Windows Command Line Interface: A Comprehensive Guide
The Windows Command Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool that allows users to interact with their computer system through a text-based interface. While it may seem daunting at first, the CLI offers a wealth of functionality and flexibility, making it an essential skill for any Windows user.
Entering the CLI
There are several ways to access the CLI in Windows. One common method is to enter the “cmd” command from the Start menu or by typing it in the Run dialog box. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box and type “cmd” to launch the CLI.
The CLI Interface
The CLI interface is not a true DOS interface, but rather a Windows-specific implementation that provides a subset of the functionality of the original DOS operating system. The interface is text-based and consists of a command prompt that displays the current working directory and a cursor that indicates where the user can enter commands.
Basic Commands
The following are some basic commands that can be used in the CLI:
- net use: Establishes a network connection to a remote computer.
- net use ipipc $ “” / user: “”: Establishes an IPC (Inter-Process Communication) link between two computers.
- net use ipipc $ “password” / user: “User Name”: Establishes an IPC link between two computers with authentication.
- net use h: ipc $ “password” / user: “username”: Maps a local drive (H:) to a remote IPC share.
- net use ipipc $ / del: Deletes an existing IPC link.
- net use h: / del: Deletes a mapped local drive (H:).
- net user username password / add: Creates a new user account with a specified password.
- net user guest / active: yes: Activates a guest user account.
- net user: Displays a list of existing user accounts.
- net user account name: Displays the properties of a specific user account.
- net locaLGroup administrators account username / add: Adds a user to the local administrators group.
- net start: Displays a list of running services.
- net start service name: Starts a specific service.
- net stop service name: Stops a specific service.
- net time target ip view: Displays the time on a remote computer.
- net time target ip / set: Sets the local computer time to synchronize with a remote computer.
- net view: Displays a list of shared resources on the local network.
- net view ip: Displays a list of shared resources on a remote network.
- net config: Displays the network configuration settings.
- net logoff: Logs off a user from the current session.
- net pause: Pauses a service.
- net send ip “text message”: Sends a message to a remote computer.
Network Commands
The following are some network-related commands that can be used in the CLI:
- netstat -an: Displays a list of active network connections.
- netstat -n: Displays a list of active network connections without resolving IP addresses.
- netstat -v: Displays detailed information about network connections.
- netstat -p protocol name: Displays information about a specific network protocol.
- nBTstat -A ip: Displays information about a specific network adapter.
- trAcert - IP parameters (or computer name): Displays the route taken by packets between two computers.
- ping ip (or domain name): Sends a packet to a remote computer to test connectivity.
- ping -t -l 65550 ip: Sends a large packet to a remote computer to test connectivity.
- ipconfig (winipcfg): Displays the current IP address configuration.
- ipconfig /all: Displays detailed information about the IP address configuration.
File Management Commands
The following are some file management commands that can be used in the CLI:
- del: Deletes a file or directory.
- **del / AR *. ***: Deletes all read-only files in the current directory.
- **del / AS *. ***: Deletes all system files in the current directory.
- del / S / Q or directory: Deletes a directory and all subdirectories and files in the directory.
- rmdir / S / Q directory: Deletes a directory and all subdirectories and files in the directory.
- move: Moves a file or directory to a new location.
- fc one.txt two.txt > 3st.txt: Compares two files and outputs the differences to a new file.
- copy: Copies a file or directory to a new location.
- copy c: srv.exe ipadmin $: Copies a file from the local computer to a remote computer.
- xcopy: Copies a file or directory tree to a new location.
- xcopy c: server.exe ipadmin $: Copies a file from the local computer to a remote computer.
- tftp -i own IP get server.exe: Downloads a file from a remote computer to the local computer.
- tftp -i own IP put c: server.exe: Uploads a file from the local computer to a remote computer.
- ftp ip port: Uploads a file from the local computer to a remote computer.
Security Commands
The following are some security-related commands that can be used in the CLI:
- attrib: Displays the attributes of a file or directory.
- attrib +a +R +S +H: Adds the archive, read-only, system, and hidden attributes to a file.
- dir: Displays a list of files and directories in the current working directory.
- dir / Q: Displays a list of files and directories in the current working directory without displaying file names.
- dir / T: C: Displays the creation time of a file or directory.
- dir / T: A: Displays the last access time of a file or directory.
- dir / T: W: Displays the last modified date of a file or directory.
- set: Displays the current environment variables.
- set p: Displays the current environment variables with the “p” prefix.
Batch File Commands
The following are some batch file commands that can be used in the CLI:
- pause: Pauses a batch file and displays a message to the user.
- echo on: Displays the output of a batch file.
- echo off: Hides the output of a batch file.
- echo: Displays a message to the user.
- findstr: Searches for a string in a file or directory.
- findstr “Hello” aa.txt: Searches for the string “Hello” in a file named “aa.txt”.
- title: Changes the title of the command prompt.
- title title name: Changes the title of the command prompt to a specified name.
- color: Changes the color of the command prompt.
- color 0: Changes the color of the command prompt to black.
- color 1: Changes the color of the command prompt to blue.
- color 2: Changes the color of the command prompt to green.
- color 3: Changes the color of the command prompt to light green.
- color 4: Changes the color of the command prompt to red.
- color 5: Changes the color of the command prompt to purple.
- color 6: Changes the color of the command prompt to yellow.
- color 7: Changes the color of the command prompt to white.
- color 8: Changes the color of the command prompt to gray.
- color 9: Changes the color of the command prompt to light blue.
- color a: Changes the color of the command prompt to light green.
- color b: Changes the color of the command prompt to light green light.
- color c: Changes the color of the command prompt to pink.
- color d: Changes the color of the command prompt to purple.
- color e: Changes the color of the command prompt to yellow.
- color f: Changes the color of the command prompt to white.
- cmd.exe /c: Executes a command and then exits the command prompt.
- cmd.exe /k: Executes a command and then enters interactive mode.
- cmd.exe /s: Starts a new window and maximizes it.
- cmd.exe /m: Starts a new window and minimizes it.
- cmd.exe /c: Closes the command prompt after executing a command.
- cmd.exe /k: Enters interactive mode after executing a command.
- cmd.exe /s: Starts a new window and maximizes it.
- cmd.exe /m: Starts a new window and minimizes it.
- cmd.exe /c: Closes the command prompt after executing a command.
- cmd.exe /k: Enters interactive mode after executing a command.
By mastering these commands and techniques, you can unlock the full potential of the Windows Command Line Interface and take your productivity to the next level.