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Windows Command Prompt |
Using the Command Prompt in Windows
Windows, MacOS and Linux have command line interfaces. Windows' default command line is the command prompt. The command prompt allows users to use their computer without pointing and clicking with a mouse. The command prompt is a black screen where users type commands to use their computer. The same tasks that can be done by pointing and clicking with a mouse can also be done with the command prompt. The difference is that many tasks such as creating folders and deleting files can be done faster in the command prompt. Also, it allows users to configure their computer and run programs that they otherwise could not do by pointing and clicking.
Opening the Command Prompt
To access the command prompt, click the windows start menu on the Desktop tool bar (you can also press the windows button on your keyboard) and type cmd
and hit enter
. The command prompt will appear, it will display some text like to following below:
C:\Users\YourUserName>
Navigating Directories (Moving through folders)
C:\Users\YourUserName
is called your current working directory (directory is another way to say folder). It is like a street address that tells you where you are on your computer. The current working directory can be a guide as you navigate through your computer. On the right of the >
we can type cd
, which stands for Change Directory, and the name of a directory that you want to navigate to. In this case we will type Documents
. Enter cd Documents
and your current working directory should look like the following:
C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents>
To go back one directory type and enter cd..
. Your current working directory should return to this:
C:\Users\YourUserName>
With the cd
and cd ..
commands you can move back and forth through directories. This might seem very basic at first but as you learn more commands the command prompt will become a very useful and efficient tool.
Here is a list of common commands:
Command | Description |
---|---|
help |
Lists commands that can be used |
dir |
Lists the current directories contents |
dir /a |
Shows hidden files |
mkdir |
Creates a new directory |
rmdir |
Deletes a directory (if empty) |
rmdir /s |
Deletes a folder and its contents |
cls |
Clears the command prompt screen |
exit |
Closes the command prompt |
Usage Examples:
Making a Directory
mkdir name_of_the_directory_you_want_to_make
Getting Info on a Command
your_command /?
Deleting a File and Contents
rm /s name_of_directory_you_want_to_delete
Useful tips:
- The command
Ipconfig
shows your computer's ip address - The command
getmac
shows your computer's physical address - If you type part of a directory's name and hit the
tab
key the command prompt will autocomplete it and if you hit thetab
key repeatedly it will cycle through directories that start with the same letter - You can use other shells or tools such as git bash or cmder to add more commands and functionality to your command prompt
- Some tasks require you to run the command prompt as an administrator you clicking the windows button and typing
cmd admin
and hit theenter
key - If you know the path to a file or directory can type
cd PATH_TO_YOUR_DIRECTORY
instead of changing directories several times to get to a directory or file - Use
cd ..
to move to the previous parent directory - When you hit the up arrow key your previously entered command will appear and if you hit it repeatedly it will cycle through all of your previously entered commands