Command Prompt/Powershell
Command Prompt/Powershell

Command Prompt/Powershell

Owner
Verification
Tags
Command Prompt/PowershellCurriculum

📂 Navigation & File System

  • cd – Change Directory

    • Moves between folders.

    cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents
cd ..        :: Move up one directory
cd \         :: Jump to the root of the drive
  • dir – Directory Listing

    • Lists files and folders in the current directory.

    dir
dir /a       :: Show hidden/system files
dir /s       :: Show files in all subdirectories
  • cls – Clear Screen

    • Wipes the CMD window.

    cls

📄 File & Folder Management

  • mkdir or md – Make Directory

    • Creates a new folder.

    mkdir Projects
  • rmdir or rd – Remove Directory

    • Deletes a folder (empty by default).

    rmdir Projects
rmdir /s Projects   :: Deletes folder + contents
  • copy – Copy File(s)

    • Copies files from one place to another.

    copy report.txt C:\Backup\
  • robocopy – Extended Copy (files + directories)
    • robocopy C:\Data D:\Backup /e /copyall
  • move – Move or Rename File
    • move oldname.txt newname.txt
  • del – Delete File

    • Removes a file permanently.

    del file.txt
del *.tmp       :: Deletes all .tmp files

⚙️ System Information & Utilities

  • echo – Print text to screen
    • echo Hello, World!
  • ipconfig – Show network configuration
    • ipconfig
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew
  • ping – Test connectivity
    • ping google.com
  • tasklist – List running processes
    • tasklist
  • taskkill – Kill a process by name or PID
    • taskkill /im notepad.exe /f
  • systeminfo – Get system details
    • systeminfo
  • hostname – Displays computer’s hostname
    • hostname

🔍 Searching & Filtering

  • find – Search inside files or output
    • find "error" logfile.txt
  • findstr – More advanced search (regex supported)
    • findstr /i "warning" logfile.txt
  • Pipes (|) – Send output of one command into another
    • ipconfig | find "IPv4"

📦 Batch File Basics

  • Create a script file (.bat or .cmd) to automate commands:
    • @echo off
echo Backing up Documents...
xcopy C:\Users\YourName\Documents D:\Backup /e /h /i
echo Done!
pause

🛡️ Useful Admin Tools

  • chkdsk – Check disk for errors
    • chkdsk C:
  • sfc – System File Checker (repairs system files)
    • sfc /scannow
  • net user – Manage local users
    • net user
net user NewUser MyPassword123 /add
  • shutdown – Shut down or restart computer
    • shutdown /s /f /t 0   :: Shutdown immediately
shutdown /r /t 0      :: Restart immediately

✅ Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Task
Linux Command
Windows CMD Equivalent
Print current dir
pwd
cd (no args)
List files
ls
dir
Change dir
cd
cd
Create folder
mkdir
mkdir / md
Delete file
rm file
del file
Delete folder
rm -r folder
rmdir /s folder
Show network info
ifconfig/ip
ipconfig
Kill process
kill
taskkill