Windows Command Prompt remains a powerful tool for power users and IT professionals, even in the age of graphical interfaces. Mastering these essential commands can help you troubleshoot issues, automate tasks, and gain deeper control over your Windows 11 system.

Introduction to Command Prompt in Windows 11

Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is Windows' built-in command-line interpreter that dates back to MS-DOS. While PowerShell has become Microsoft's preferred scripting environment, Command Prompt still offers quick access to many system functions through simple text commands.

Basic Navigation Commands

1. cd - Change Directory

cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents

The fundamental command for navigating through folders. Use cd.. to move up one directory level.

2. dir - List Directory Contents

dir /w

Displays all files and subdirectories in the current folder. The /w switch shows a wide list format.

3. cls - Clear Screen

cls

Clears all command history from the Command Prompt window.

File Management Commands

4. copy - Copy Files

copy source.txt destination.txt

Copies files from one location to another. Add /y to suppress confirmation prompts.

5. del - Delete Files

del oldfile.txt

Deletes specified files. Use with caution as deletions are permanent.

6. ren - Rename Files

ren oldname.txt newname.txt

Renames files and directories without moving them.

Network Troubleshooting Commands

7. ipconfig - Network Configuration

ipconfig /all

Displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values. Essential for network troubleshooting.

8. ping - Test Network Connectivity

ping google.com

Tests connectivity to another network host by sending ICMP echo requests.

9. tracert - Trace Network Path

tracert google.com

Shows the route packets take to reach a network host and measures transit delays.

System Information Commands

10. systeminfo - Detailed System Information

systeminfo

Displays comprehensive system configuration including OS version, hardware, and hotfixes.

11. tasklist - List Running Processes

tasklist

Shows all currently running processes with their memory usage and PID numbers.

12. driverquery - List Installed Drivers

driverquery

Displays all installed device drivers and their properties.

Disk Management Commands

13. chkdsk - Check Disk

chkdsk C: /f

Checks the file system and file system metadata for errors. The /f switch fixes errors.

14. diskpart - Disk Partition Manager

diskpart

Launches a powerful disk partitioning utility with its own command environment.

15. format - Format Disk

format D: /fs:NTFS

Formats a disk with the specified file system (use with extreme caution).

Advanced Commands

16. sfc /scannow - System File Checker

sfc /scannow

Scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct versions.

17. shutdown - System Shutdown

shutdown /s /t 60

Shuts down the computer after 60 seconds. Use /r for restart instead of /s.

18. netstat - Network Statistics

netstat -ano

Displays active TCP connections, ports, and associated process IDs.

19. attrib - Change File Attributes

attrib +h secretfile.txt

Changes file attributes like hidden (+h), read-only (+r), etc.

20. wmic - Windows Management Instrumentation

wmic bios get serialnumber

Powerful command-line interface to Windows Management Instrumentation for advanced queries.

Tips for Using Command Prompt Efficiently

  • Press Tab to auto-complete file and folder names
  • Right-click to paste in Command Prompt
  • Use command /? to see help for any command
  • Run as Administrator when needed for full system access
  • Create batch files (.bat) to automate command sequences

Conclusion

While Windows 11 offers sophisticated graphical tools, Command Prompt remains an indispensable utility for quick system access and troubleshooting. Mastering these 20 essential commands will give you greater control over your system and help resolve many common issues without needing specialized software.