Top 200+ Best CMD Tricks, Tips And Hacks Of 2023
Looking for the best and most useful CMD tricks? The hidden Terminal in Windows is truly amazing! It can be used for hacking and enhancing security. This tool is highly regarded as the most popular tool for Windows. Many of us might think it’s not meant for us, but that’s not true! The Command Prompt Tool (CMD) is extremely useful, although most people don’t know how to use it. To clear up any doubts you have about CMD, we have compiled a list of over 200 CMD tricks, hacks, and basic functions that will help you learn the CMD Tool.
The command prompt, also known as CMD, enables you to perform tasks that are not available in the Windows OS graphical user interface (GUI). There are numerous CMD tricks that serve as valuable tools. Although command prompts may seem outdated, they are powerful and convenient when it comes to navigating to specific locations or customizing your PC using different settings.
While command prompts may have a steeper learning curve, the advantage is that they can save time compared to modern methods. Therefore, we present to you some of the best CMD tricks that you can regularly use to simplify and streamline your tasks.
Contents
- 1 What is the Command Prompt (CMD)?
- 2 How To Open Command Prompt?
- 3 List Of CMD Tricks & Hacks Of 2023 (Command-Prompt Tricks)
- 4 #1 Getting help
- 5 #2 Use of Function Keys
- 6 #3 To Copy Data From Command Prompt
- 7 #4 Check IP Address Of Any Website
- 8 #5 Execute Different Commands in an Order
- 9 #6 Scan the System Files
- 10 #7 Create Permanent Folders
- 11 #8 Compare And Check The Difference
- 12 #9 Encrypt Files using Command Prompt
- 13 #10 Create a WiFi Hotspot
- 14 #11 Shut Down Computer With CMD
- 15 #12 Netstat CMD Command 2023
- 16 Best CMD Tricks & Hacks Of 2023 (200+ CMD Commands Latest)
- 17 Wrap Up:
- 18
What is the Command Prompt (CMD)?
Command Prompt, commonly referred to as CMD, is the command-line interpreter used in operating systems such as Windows NT, Windows CE, OS/2, and eComStation. It allows users to provide instructions for executing specific tasks assigned to programs.
How To Open Command Prompt?
Step 1: Click on the ‘Start’ menu.
Step 2: Type ‘CMD’ or ‘Command Prompt’ in the search box.
Step 3: Click on CMD as shown in the picture.
Alternate: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run window. Type CMD and press Enter.
List Of CMD Tricks & Hacks Of 2023 (Command-Prompt Tricks)
#1 Getting help
This trick is useful for both beginners and professionals as it provides a lot of information that can be learned. It allows you to retrieve details about almost every command in the command prompt. This information includes the functionality of the command, the process it uses, and provides examples. To execute this trick, simply type “/?” at the end of the command for which you need information.
#2 Use of Function Keys
The function keys on a keyboard are labeled as F1, F2, F3… up to F9, and each key is assigned a specific function. Here are the functions associated with each function key:
F1: Paste the last used command character by character. F2: Paste the last used command up to a specified command character. F3: Paste the last used command. F4: Delete the command up to a specified command character. F5: Paste the last used command without cycling. F6: Paste “^Z” (Ctrl+Z). F7: Display a list of previously used commands. F8: Paste from the cycle of previously used commands. F9: Paste commands from the list of recently used commands.
#3 To Copy Data From Command Prompt
To copy data from the command prompt, you cannot simply use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C. Instead, you need to follow these steps:
- Right-click anywhere on the command prompt window.
- Select “Mark” from the drop-down menu.
- Use your mouse to select the portion of text you want to copy.
- Once selected, press the “Enter” key to copy the highlighted text.
Please note that this method is applicable to versions of Windows prior to Windows 10. In Windows 10, the keyboard shortcut to copy and paste data from the command prompt is enabled.
#4 Check IP Address Of Any Website
Checking the IP address of a specific website is not a difficult task. All you need to do is enter the “nslookup” command followed by the website’s name. For example, the CMD trick in the box below will provide you with the IP address of the itechhacks website.
#5 Execute Different Commands in an Order
There are tricks that allow you to easily execute commands one after another. To achieve this, simply place “&&” between two consecutive commands to execute them sequentially.
#6 Scan the System Files
Scanning and repairing your system files is made easy with the command prompt. Simply type “sfc /scannow” and press enter. The scanning process will begin immediately, and it will either repair any corrupted files or provide you with details of any encountered issues.
#7 Create Permanent Folders
You can create permanent folders using the command prompt. Simply type the name of the disk where you want to create the folder, followed by either “md con” or “md lpt1” and press enter. The final command should look something like “D: md con”.
The new folder will be created with the specified name. This permanent folder can only be deleted using the command prompt. To delete it, replace “md con” with “rd con” or “md lpt1” with “rd lpt1” and press enter.
#8 Compare And Check The Difference
You can use command prompts to compare two text files and check for differences. To do this, type the “FC” command followed by the directories of both text files. The command prompt should look like “fc nameoffirstfile.txt nameofsecondfile.txt”. Press enter to obtain the comparison results of both files. If there are no differences between the files, the command will display the message “no difference encountered”.
#9 Encrypt Files using Command Prompt
Encrypting important data is a valuable tool in the command prompt. Encryption helps to keep your personal data secure and accessible only to yourself. With the command prompt, you can easily encrypt files on your PC. To do this, navigate to the folder containing your files by using the “cd” command. Then, use the command “Cipher /E” and press enter. This will encrypt all the files in the selected folder.
It’s important to note that you should set a password for your account to ensure the effectiveness of the encryption. These encrypted files can be opened normally from your account but not from any other account.
#10 Create a WiFi Hotspot
Using the command prompt, you can create a WiFi hotspot on your PC and share your internet access with other devices in your vicinity, without the need for any third-party app. Follow these steps to set up the WiFi hotspot:
Step 1: Open the command prompt and enter the following command: “netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=HotspotName key=Password”. Replace ‘HotspotName’ with your desired name for the hotspot and ‘Password’ with a unique password of your choice. Press enter to save the changes.
Step 2: To start broadcasting your WiFi hotspot, enter the command “netsh wlan start hostednetwork” in the command prompt. This will allow nearby devices to connect to your hotspot.
Step 3: To stop broadcasting the WiFi hotspot, use the command “netsh wlan stop hostednetwork”. This will terminate the broadcasting. If you want to restart the broadcasting, repeat step 2.
Please note that creating a WiFi hotspot using the command prompt may require administrative privileges on your PC.
#11 Shut Down Computer With CMD
Best CMD Tips, Tricks, and Hacks. You can also shut down your computer using the command prompt. Enter the following command in the command prompt.
For Shutdown: shutdown -s
For Restarting: shutdown -r
For Logoff: shutdown -l
#12 Netstat CMD Command 2023
Netstat is another useful CMD command. It is an important tool when you want to find out who is establishing a connection with your computer. The output of this command provides you with information about all active connections and listening ports. Follow the instructions below to execute this CMD:
- Use the option “-a” to display all connections.
- Use the option “-n” to sort connections in numerical order.
- Use the option “-b” to display the executable name, which includes the browser name.
Best CMD Tricks & Hacks Of 2023 (200+ CMD Commands Latest)
1. Accessibility Controls – access.cpl | Best CMD Tricks
2. Accessibility Wizard – accwiz
3. Add Hardware Wizard – hdwwiz.cpl
4. Add/Remove Programs – appwiz.cpl
5. Administrative Tools – control admintools
6. Automatic Updates – wuaucpl.cpl
7. Bluetooth Transfer Wizard – fsquirt
8. Calculator – calc
9. Certificate Manager – certmgr.msc
10. Character Map – charmap
11. Check Disk Utility – chkdsk
12. Clipboard Viewer – clipbrd
13. Command Prompt – cmd
14. Component Services – dcomcnfg
15. Computer Management – compmgmt.msc
16. Control Panel – control
17. Date and Time Properties – timedate.cpl
18. DDE Shares – ddeshare
19. Device Manager – devmgmt.msc
20. Direct X Troubleshooter – dxdiag
21. Disk Cleanup Utility – cleanmgr
22. Disk Defragment – dfrg.msc
23. Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc
24. Disk Partition Manager – diskpart
25. Display Properties – control desktop
26. Display Properties – desk.cpl
27. Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility – drwtsn32
28. Driver Verifier Utility – verifier
29. Event Viewer – eventvwr.msc
30. Files and Settings Transfer Tool – migwiz
31. File Signature Verification Tool – sigverif
32. Findfast – findfast.cpl
33. Firefox – firefox
34. Folders Properties – control folders
35. Fonts – control fonts
36. Fonts Folder – fonts
37. Free Cell Card Game – freecell
38. Game Controllers – joy.cpl | Best CMD Commands 2023
39. Group Policy Editor (for xp professional) – gpedit.msc
40. Hearts Card Game – mshearts
41. Help and Support – helpctr
42. HyperTerminal – hypertrm
43. Iexpress Wizard – iexpress
44. Indexing Service – ciadv.msc
45. Internet Connection Wizard – icwconn1
46. Internet Explorer – iexplore
47. Internet Properties – inetcpl.cpl
48. Keyboard Properties – control keyboard
49. Local Security Settings – secpol.msc
50. Local Users and Groups – lusrmgr.msc
51. Logs You Out Of Windows – logoff
52. Malicious Software Removal Tool – mrt
53. Microsoft Chat – winchat
54. Microsoft Movie Maker – moviemk
55. Microsoft Paint – mspaint
56. Microsoft Syncronization Tool – mobsync
57. Minesweeper Game – winmine
58. Mouse Properties – control mouse
59. Mouse Properties – main.cpl
60. Netmeeting – conf
61. Network Connections – control netconnections
62. Network Connections – ncpa.cpl
63. Network Setup Wizard – netsetup.cpl
64. Notepad – notepad
65. Object Packager – packager
66. ODBC Data Source Administrator – odbccp32.cpl
67. On Screen Keyboard – osk
68. Outlook Express – msimn
69. Paint – pbrush
70. Password Properties – password.cpl
71. Performance Monitor – perfmon.msc
72. Performance Monitor – perfmon
73. Phone and Modem Options – telephon.cpl
74. Phone Dialer – dialer
75. Pinball Game – pinball
76. Power Configuration – powercfg.cpl
77. Printers and Faxes – control printers
78. Printers Folder – printers
79. Regional Settings – intl.cpl
80. Registry Editor – regedit
81. Registry Editor – regedit32
82. Remote Access Phonebook – rasphone
83. Remote Desktop – mstsc
84. Removable Storage – ntmsmgr.msc
85. Removable Storage Operator Requests – ntmsoprq.msc
86. Resultant Set of Policy (for xp professional) – rsop.msc
87. Scanners and Cameras – sticpl.cpl
88. Scheduled Tasks – control schedtasks
89. Security Center – wscui.cpl
90. Services – services.msc
91. Shared Folders – fsmgmt.msc
92. Shuts Down Windows – shutdown
93. Sounds and Audio – mmsys.cpl
94. Spider Solitare Card Game – spider
95. SQL Client Configuration – cliconfg
96. System Configuration Editor – sysedit
97. System Configuration Utility – msconfig
98. System Information – msinfo32
99. System Properties – sysdm.cpl
100. Task Manager – taskmgr
101. TCP Tester – tcptest
102. Telnet Client – telnet
103. User Account Management – nusrmgr.cpl
104. Utility Manager – utilman
105. Windows Address Book – wab
106. Windows Address Book Import Utility – wabmig
107. Windows Explorer – explorer.
108. Managing the Boot Configuration Data – bcdedit
109. Editing Boot Settings – bootcfg
110. Encrypting or Decrypting Files/folders – cipher
111. Clearing the screen – cls
112. Managing stored usernames/passwords – cmdkey
113. Changing CMD Color – color
114. Compressing one or more files – compress
115. Converting FAT drives to NTFS – convert
116. Delete files – del
117. Deleting User Profiles – delprof
118. Displaying the list of files and folders – dir
119. Displaying Message On Screen – echo
120. Deleting one or more files – erase
121. Opening the windows Explorer – explorer
122. Formatting a disk – format
123. Knowing file extension – ftype
124. Displaying the Mac Address – getmac
125. Online help – help
126. Displaying the host name – hostname
127. Editing disc label – label
128. Log a user off – logoff
129. Get a log time in a file – logtime
130. Creating .cab files – makecab
131. Creating new folders- md
132. Opening Windows Installer – msiexec
133. Managing the network resources – net
134. Knowing the permissions for a user – perms
135. Testing a network connecting – ping
136. Printing a text file – print
137. Shutdown computer – psshutdown
138. Checking free disk space – freedisk
139. Know the file and volume utilities – fsutil
140. File transfer protocl – ftp
141. Showing the space used in folders – diskuse
142. Deleting a folder and all subfolders – deltree
143. Importing or Exporting Active directory data – csvde
144. Displaying the resultant set of Policy information – gpresult
145. Updating the Group policy settings – gpupdate
146. Replacing the files that are currently in use by the os – inuse
147. Comparing two files – fc
148. Finding a text string in a file – find
149. Finding for a strings in file – findstr
150. Displaying the memory usage – mem
Wrap Up:
These are some of the best command prompt tricks or CMD tricks that allow you to use Windows in a different and unique way. They provide powerful customizations and options for enhanced functionality. If we have missed any amazing CMD tricks that should have been included, please let us know in the comments section. Also, we would love to hear which CMD trick you liked the most from our list.