Useful Command-line Commands on Windows

The aim for this Wiki is to promote using a command to open up commonly used applications without having to go through many mouse clicks - thus saving time on monitoring and troubleshooting Windows machines.

Answer entries need to specify

• Application name


• Commands


• Screenshot (Optional)

Shortcut to commands

• && - Command Chaining


• %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\rcimlby.exe -LaunchRA - Remote Assistance (Windows XP)


• appwiz.cpl - Programs and Features (Formerly Known as "Add or Remove Programs")


• appwiz.cpl @,2 - Turn Windows Features On and Off (Add/Remove Windows Components pane)


• arp - Displays and modifies the IP-to-Physical address translation tables used by address resolution protocol (ARP)


• at - Schedule tasks either locally or remotely without using Scheduled Tasks


• bootsect.exe - Updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions to switch between BOOTMGR and NTLDR


• cacls - Change Access Control List (ACL) permissions on a directory, its subcontents, or files


• calc - Calculator



• chkdsk - Check/Fix the disk surface for physical errors or bad sectors


• cipher - Displays or alters the encryption of directories [files] on NTFS partitions


• cleanmgr.exe - Disk Cleanup


• clip - Redirects output of command line tools to the Windows clipboard


• cls - clear the command line screen


• cmd /k - Run command with command extensions enabled


• color - Sets the default console foreground and background colors in console


• command.com - Default Operating System Shell


• compmgmt.msc - Computer Management


• control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter - Network and Sharing Center



• control keyboard - Keyboard Properties


• control mouse(or main.cpl) - Mouse Properties


• control sysdm.cpl,@0,3 - Advanced Tab of the System Properties dialog


• control userpasswords2 - Opens the classic User Accounts dialog


• desk.cpl - opens the display properties


• devmgmt.msc - Device Manager


• diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management


• diskpart - Disk management from the command line


• dsa.msc - Opens active directory users and computers


• dsquery - Finds any objects in the directory according to criteria



• dxdiag - DirectX Diagnostic Tool


• eventvwr - Windows Event Log (Event Viewer)


• explorer . - Open explorer with the current folder selected.


• explorer /e, . - Open explorer, with folder tree, with current folder selected.


• F7 - View command history


• find - Searches for a text string in a file or files


• findstr - Find a string in a file


• firewall.cpl - Opens the Windows Firewall settings


• fsmgmt.msc - Shared Folders


• fsutil - Perform tasks related to FAT and NTFS file systems



• ftp - Transfers files to and from a computer running an FTP server service


• getmac - Shows the mac address(es) of your network adapter(s)


• gpedit.msc - Group Policy Editor


• gpresult - Displays the Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) information for a target user and computer


• httpcfg.exe - HTTP Configuration Utility


• iisreset - To restart IIS


• InetMgr.exe - Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 7


• InetMgr6.exe - Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager 6


• intl.cpl - Regional and Language Options


• ipconfig - Internet protocol configuration



• lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups Administrator


• msconfig - System Configuration


• notepad - Notepad? ;)


• mmsys.cpl - Sound/Recording/Playback properties


• mode - Configure system devices


• more - Displays one screen of output at a time


• mrt - Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool


• mstsc.exe - Remote Desktop Connection


• nbstat - displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT


• ncpa.cpl - Network Connections



• netsh - Display or modify the network configuration of a computer that is currently running


• netstat - Network Statistics


• net statistics - Check computer up time


• net stop - Stops a running service.


• net use - Connects a computer to or disconnects a computer from a shared resource, displays information about computer connections, or mounts a local share with different privileges (documentation)


• odbcad32.exe - ODBC Data Source Administrator


• pathping - A traceroute that collects detailed packet loss stats


• perfmon - Opens Reliability and Performance Monitor


• ping - Determine whether a remote computer is accessible over the network


• powercfg.cpl - Power management control panel applet



• qfecheck - Shows installed Hotfixes applied to the server/workstation.


• quser - Display information about user sessions on a terminal server


• qwinsta - See disconnected remote desktop sessions


• reg.exe - Console Registry Tool for Windows


• regedit - Registry Editor


• rasdial - Connects to a VPN or a dialup network


• robocopy - Backup/Restore/Copy large amounts of files reliably


• rsop.msc - Resultant Set of Policy (shows the combined effect of all group policies active on the current system/login)


• runas - Run specific tools and programs with different permissions than the user's current logon provides


• sc - Manage anything you want to do with services.



• schtasks - Enables an administrator to create, delete, query, change, run and end scheduled tasks on a local or remote system.


• secpol.msc - Local Security Settings


• services.msc - Services control panel


• set - Displays, sets, or removes cmd.exe environment variables.


• set DIRCMD - Preset dir parameter in cmd.exe


• start - Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command


• start. - opens the current directory in the Windows Explorer.


• shutdown.exe - Shutdown or Reboot a local/remote machine


• subst.exe - Associates a path with a drive letter, including local drives


• systeminfo -Displays a comprehensive information about the system



• taskkill - terminate tasks by process id (PID) or image name


• tasklist.exe - List Processes on local or a remote machine


• taskmgr.exe - Task Manager


• telephon.cpl - Telephone and Modem properties


• timedate.cpl - Date and Time


• title - Change the title of the CMD window you have open


• tracert - Trace route


• whoami /all - Display Current User/Group/Privilege Information


• wmic - Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line


• winver.exe - Find Windows Version



• wscui.cpl - Windows Security Center


• wuauclt.exe - Windows Update AutoUpdate Client