Essential Windows Command Prompt commands for navigation, networking, file management, and system troubleshooting.

Command(s) Explanation
cd / cd . / cd .. cd shows or changes the current directory.
cd . means stay in the current directory.
cd .. moves up one level (to the parent directory).
dir Lists files and folders in the current directory.
cls Clears the Command Prompt screen.
echo <text> Displays messages or enables/disables command echoing.
exit Closes the Command Prompt window.
ipconfig / ipconfig /all / ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig shows basic network info.
/all shows full network details (MAC, DNS, DHCP).
/flushdns clears the DNS cache.
ping <host> Tests network connectivity to an IP or hostname (e.g., ping google.com).
tracert <host> Traces the route packets take to reach a destination.
netstat Displays active network connections, routing tables, and listening ports.
tasklist Displays all running processes with their PID and memory usage.
taskkill /PID <id> / taskkill /IM <name> Terminates a process by PID (/PID) or by name (/IM).
shutdown /s /t <time> / shutdown /r Shuts down the computer (/s) or restarts (/r) after a delay in seconds (/t).
chkdsk / chkdsk /f Checks disk for errors. /f fixes errors automatically.
sfc /scannow Runs the System File Checker to repair corrupted system files.
copy <src> <dest> Copies files from one location to another.
xcopy <src> <dest> /s /e Copies files and directories, including subdirectories.
robocopy <src> <dest> Advanced file copy with mirroring and recovery options.
del <file> / erase <file> Deletes one or more files.
rmdir <folder> / rmdir /s <folder> Deletes a folder. /s removes subfolders too.
mkdir <folder> Creates a new directory (folder).
attrib Displays or changes file/folder attributes (e.g., hidden, read-only).
icacls <file/folder> Displays or modifies Access Control Lists (ACLs), used to view or change permissions on files/folders.
whoami Displays the current logged-in user.
hostname Shows the computer’s hostname.
net user Lists all user accounts on the system.
net use Displays or connects to shared network resources.
net share Shows or creates shared folders on the computer.