Command Prompt (CMD) Guide for Beginners

What is Command Prompt?

Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is a command-line interpreter in Windows that lets you interact with your computer through text commands.Today we are going to learn how to use command prompt

Opening Command Prompt

Quick Methods:

1. Windows Key + R → type cmd → Enter
2. Search → type “cmd” or “Command Prompt”
3. File Explorer → type cmd in address bar → Enter

Advanced (Run as Administrator):

• Right-click Start Menu → “Command Prompt (Admin)”
• Needed for commands requiring elevated privileges

Essential Navigation Commands

 View current directory

dir                     # Lists contents of current folder
dir /w                  # Wide format listing
dir /p                  # Pauses after each screen

 Change directory

cd folder_name          # Enter a folder
cd ..                   # Go up one level
cd \                    # Go to root of current drive
cd /d D:\Folder         # Switch to different drive/folder

 Drive management

D:                      # Switch to D: drive

Basic File Operations

 Create files/folders

mkdir folder_name       # Create new folder
type nul > file.txt     # Create empty file
echo text > file.txt    # Create file with content

 Copy files/folders

copy source.txt destination.txt
xcopy source destination /E   # Copy folders with subfolders
robocopy source destination /E  # More advanced copying

 Move/Rename

move old.txt new.txt
rename old.txt new.txt

 Delete

del file.txt            # Delete file
rmdir folder_name       # Delete empty folder
rmdir /s folder_name    # Delete folder with contents

System Information Commands

systeminfo              # Detailed system info
hostname                # Display computer name
whoami                  # Show current user
ver                     # Windows version
ipconfig                # Network information
ipconfig /all           # Detailed network info

Network Commands

ping google.com         # Test connection to website
tracert google.com      # Trace route to destination
netstat -an             # Show active connections

Useful Utilities

 Text display/manipulation

echo Hello World        # Display text
type file.txt           # Show file contents
more file.txt           # Show file page by page

 Find/search

find "text" file.txt    # Search for text in file
findstr "pattern" *.txt # Search with regex patterns

 Compare files

fc file1.txt file2.txt  # Compare two files

 Task management

tasklist                # Show running processes
taskkill /PID 1234      # Kill process by PID
taskkill /IM notepad.exe  # Kill by program name

Tips & Tricks

1. Tab Completion: Press Tab to auto-complete file/folder names
2. Command History: Up/Down arrows to cycle through previous commands
3. Clear Screen: cls
4. Help System: Append /? to any command for help

   cd /?
   dir /?

5. Copy/Paste:

• Right-click → Paste
• Ctrl + C to cancel command
• Ctrl + V to paste (in newer Windows versions)

Common Tasks Examples

 1. Create and navigate project structure

mkdir MyProject
cd MyProject
mkdir src docs tests

 2. Batch rename files

ren *.txt *.bak

 3. Check disk space

wmic logicaldisk get size,freespace,caption

 4. Create backup of important files

robocopy C:\Documents D:\Backup\Documents /E

 5. Schedule tasks (opens Task Scheduler)

control schedtasks

Practice Exercises

1. Navigate to your Desktop and list all files
2. Create a folder called “test” with 3 text files inside
3. Copy those files to a backup folder
4. Check your IP address and ping Google
5. Create a batch file (.bat) with simple commands

Safety Notes

• Be cautious with delete commands
• Administrator mode gives full system access
• Some commands can’t be undone
• When in doubt, use /help or /? for command information

If you have any query , feel free to type in comment box !