List of the top 100 commands in the Command Prompt (CMD) on Windows
A list of the 100 most important commands in the Command Prompt (CMD) on Windows, useful for anyone working in maintenance, systems administration, networks, or even for personal learning:
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Basic system commands:
1. help—Displays a list of commands.
2. cls—clear screen.
3. exit—Close the CMD window.
4. ver—View Windows version.
5. systeminfo—Complete information about the system.
6. hostname – Display the device name.
7. date – View or change the date.
8. time – Display or change the time.
9. shutdown /s – Turn off the device.
10. shutdown /r – Restart the device.
11. shutdown /a – Cancel the temporary shutdown.
12. tasklist – Display running processes.
13. taskkill /im [process name].exe – Close a process.
14. sfc /scannow – Scan system files.
15. chkdsk – Check and repair disk.
16. diskpart – Disk Management.
17. format – Format a disk.
18. label – Change the disk name.
19. vol – Display the disc name and number.
20. wmic – Extended System Information.
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File and folder commands:
21. dir – Display the contents of a folder.
22. cd – Move between folders.
23. cd.. – Go back folder.
24. mkdir or md – Create a folder.
25. rmdir or rd – delete a folder.
26. del – Delete a file.
27. copy – Copy a file or folder.
28. xcopy – Copy files and folders with additional features.
29. robocopy – Copy files professionally.
30. move – Move a file or folder.
31. rename – Rename a file or folder.
32. attrib – View or modify file properties.
33. tree – Display the folder structure.
34. type – Display the contents of a text file.
35. more – Display content page by page.
36. echo – Print a message.
37. copy con – Create a new file.
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Network commands:
38. ipconfig – View network settings.
39. ipconfig /release – Release the IP address.
40. ipconfig /renew – Renew the IP address.
41. ipconfig /flushdns – Flush DNS cache.
42. ping – Test connectivity to a website or IP.
43. tracert – Trace the connection path.
44. nslookup – DNS query.
45. netstat – Display active connections.
46. arp -a – Display ARP table.
47. getmac – Find MAC address.
48. hostname – Display the device name.
49. netsh – Advanced Network Settings.
50. net use – Connect a network drive.
51. net view – View devices on the network.
52. net share – Manage posts.
53. net start / net stop – Start/stop services.
54. net user – User management.
55. telnet – Open a Telnet session.
56. ftp – Connect to an FTP server.
57. pathping – testing connectivity and analyzing problems.
58. route print – Display the routing table.
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Advanced Commands and Security:
59. gpupdate – Update group policy settings.
60. secedit – Manage security settings.
61. cipher – file encryption.
62. whoami – Display the current username.
63. runas – Run a command as another user.
64. schtasks – Task scheduling.
65. assoc – Linking extensions to programs.
66. driverquery – List of device drivers.
67. fsutil – File system management.
68. bcdedit – Edit boot settings.
69. bootrec – Boot repair.
70. msconfig – Boot Settings (by running it from CMD).
71. regedit – Open the registry editor.
72. reg – Registry modification commands.
73. sc – Service Management.
74. wevtutil – Manage event logs.
75. eventvwr – Open Event Viewer.
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Programming commands and writing scripts:
76. if – condition.
77. goto – Navigate in the script.
78. call – Call another script.
79. pause – pause
80. for – repetition.
81. set – Create or modify variables.
82. setlocal / endlocal – Managing the local scope of variables.
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Analytical Exploratory Commands:
83. echo %username% – current username.
84. echo %computername% – device name.
85. echo %userdomain% – domain.
86. echo %path% – Display path variables.
87. echo %temp% – path to temporary files.
88. time /t – Display time only.
89. date /t – Display date only.
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Help commands:
90. [command] /? – help for any command.
91. cmd /k – Run a command and keep CMD open.
92. cmd /c – Run a command and then close CMD.
93. start – Start a new program or window.
94. title – Change the title of the CMD window.
95. color – Change the text and background color.
96. prompt – Change the line format.
97. timeout – time delay.
98. ping -t – Continuous test until stopped.
99. fc – Compare two files.
100. exit /b – Terminate a batch script without closing the window.