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| | + | [[File:CMD-on-Win7.jpg|350px|thumbnail|Command Prompt in [[Windows 7]]]] |
| | '''Command Prompt''' is the name for the program provided with the [[Windows]] [[operating system]] which allows the user to access the [[computer shell]], that is, a text-based (command-line) control system. | | '''Command Prompt''' is the name for the program provided with the [[Windows]] [[operating system]] which allows the user to access the [[computer shell]], that is, a text-based (command-line) control system. |
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| | ==About Commands== | | ==About Commands== |
| − | These commands are applicable in [[Windows 7]] [[operating system]]s and later | + | These commands are generally applicable in [[Windows 7]] [[operating system]]s and later |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="wikitable sortable" | + | {| class="wikitable" |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! Command !! Function!!Notes | + | ! Command !! Function !! Notes |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ASSOC|| Displays or modifies file extension associations. | + | | ASSOC|| Displays or modifies file extension associations.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ATTRIB|| Displays or changes file attributes. | + | | ATTRIB|| Displays or changes file attributes.||style="width:200px" | |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | BREAK|| Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking. | + | | BREAK|| Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | BCDEDIT|| Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading. | + | | BCDEDIT|| Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.|| Edit the computer's bootloader |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CACLS|| Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) of files. | + | | CACLS|| Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) of files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CALL|| Calls one batch program from another. | + | | CALL|| Calls one batch program from another.|| Similar to "Start," except the called file is run in the same window |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CD|| Displays the name of or changes the current directory. | + | | CD|| Displays the name of or changes the current directory.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CHCP|| Displays or sets the active code page number. | + | | CHCP|| Displays or sets the active code page number.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CHDIR|| Displays the name of or changes the current directory. | + | | CHDIR|| Displays the name of or changes the current directory.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CHKDSK|| Checks a disk and displays a status report.||Sometimes used instead of the [[Graphic User Interface| GUI]] check-disk option since it provides information about problems found, and which ones where fixed (if /R is used) | + | | CHKDSK|| Checks a disk and displays a status report.||Sometimes used instead of the [[Graphic User Interface|GUI]] check-disk option since it provides information about problems found, and which ones where fixed (if /R is used) |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CHKNTFS|| Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time. | + | | CHKNTFS|| Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CLS|| Clears the screen. | + | | CLS|| Clears the screen.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CMD|| Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter. | + | | CMD|| Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | COLOR|| Sets the default console foreground and background colors. | + | | COLOR|| Sets the default console foreground and background colors.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | COMP|| Compares the contents of two files or sets of files. | + | | COMP|| Compares the contents of two files or sets of files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | COMPACT|| Displays or alters the compression of files on NTFS partitions. | + | | COMPACT|| Displays or alters the compression of files on NTFS partitions.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | CONVERT|| Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. You cannot convert the current drive. | + | | CONVERT|| Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. You cannot convert the current drive.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | COPY|| Copies one or more files to another location.||For more options, see XCOPY | | | COPY|| Copies one or more files to another location.||For more options, see XCOPY |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DATE|| Displays or sets the date. | + | | DATE|| Displays or sets the date.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | DEL|| Deletes one or more files.||Same as the ERASE command | | | DEL|| Deletes one or more files.||Same as the ERASE command |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DIR|| Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.||For a more organized layout, use TREE | + | | DIR|| Displays a list of files and sub-directories in a directory.||For a more organized layout, use TREE |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DISKCOMP|| Compares the contents of two floppy disks. | + | | DISKCOMP|| Compares the contents of two floppy disks.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DISKCOPY|| Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another. | + | | DISKCOPY|| Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DISKPART|| Displays or configures Disk Partition properties. | + | | DISKPART|| Displays or configures Disk Partition properties.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DOSKEY|| Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and creates macros. | + | | DOSKEY|| Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and creates macros.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | DRIVERQUERY|| Displays current device driver status and properties. | + | | DRIVERQUERY|| Displays current device driver status and properties.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ECHO|| Displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off. | + | | ECHO|| Displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ENDLOCAL|| Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file. | + | | ENDLOCAL|| Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | ERASE|| Deletes one or more files.||Same as the DEL command | | | ERASE|| Deletes one or more files.||Same as the DEL command |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | EXIT|| Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter). | + | | EXIT|| Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter).|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | FC|| Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the differences between them. | + | | FC|| Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the differences between them.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | FIND|| Searches for a text string in a file or files.||For more options, try FINDSTR (below) | | | FIND|| Searches for a text string in a file or files.||For more options, try FINDSTR (below) |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | FINDSTR|| Searches for strings in files. | + | | FINDSTR|| Searches for strings in files.||Useful for retrieving information saved to a file and setting it to a variable. Unlike PRINT, the retrieved data is readily usable |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | FOR|| Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files. | + | | FOR|| Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | FORMAT|| Formats a disk for use with Windows. | + | | FORMAT|| Formats a disk for use with Windows.|| |
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| − | | FSUTIL|| Displays or configures the file system properties. | + | | FSUTIL|| Displays or configures the file system properties.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | FTYPE|| Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations. | + | | FTYPE|| Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | GOTO|| Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in a batch program. | + | | GOTO|| Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in a batch program.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | GPRESULT|| Displays Group Policy information for machine or user. | + | | GPRESULT|| Displays Group Policy information for machine or user.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | GRAFTABL|| Enables Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode. | + | | GRAFTABL|| Enables Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | HELP|| Provides Help information for Windows commands.||This is where most or all of this list came from | | | HELP|| Provides Help information for Windows commands.||This is where most or all of this list came from |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ICACLS|| Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and directories. | + | | ICACLS|| Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and directories.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | IF|| Performs conditional processing in batch programs. | + | | IF|| Performs conditional processing in batch programs.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | LABEL|| Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk. | + | | LABEL|| Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | MD|| Creates a directory.||Same as MKDIR | | | MD|| Creates a directory.||Same as MKDIR |
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| | | MKDIR|| Creates a directory.||Same as MD | | | MKDIR|| Creates a directory.||Same as MD |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | MKLINK|| Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links||Same as MD | + | | MKLINK|| Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | MODE|| Configures a system device. | + | | MODE|| Configures a system device.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | MORE|| Displays output one screen at a time.||Auto-applies the PAUSE command when the screen fills | | | MORE|| Displays output one screen at a time.||Auto-applies the PAUSE command when the screen fills |
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| | | MOVE|| Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.||XCOPY offers more options | | | MOVE|| Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.||XCOPY offers more options |
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| − | | OPENFILES|| Displays files opened by remote users for a file share. | + | | OPENFILES|| Displays files opened by remote users for a file share.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | PATH|| Displays or sets a search path for executable files. | + | | PATH|| Displays or sets a search path for executable files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | PAUSE|| Suspends processing of a batch file and displays a message. | + | | PAUSE|| Suspends processing of a batch file and displays a message.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | POPD|| Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by PUSHD. | + | | POPD|| Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by PUSHD.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | PRINT|| Prints a text file (to screen). | + | | PRINT|| Prints a text file (to screen).||Retrieved data must be piped to be used as a variable. If anything other than simple output is required, see FINDSTR |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | PROMPT|| Changes the Windows command prompt. | + | | PROMPT|| Changes the Windows command prompt.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | PUSHD|| Saves the current directory then changes it.||Change the working directory | + | | PUSHD|| Saves the current directory then changes it.||Change the working directory|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | RD|| Removes a directory.||Use the "/s" switch if it has sub-directories, or this will fail. Same function as RMDIR | | | RD|| Removes a directory.||Use the "/s" switch if it has sub-directories, or this will fail. Same function as RMDIR |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | RECOVER|| Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk. | + | | RECOVER|| Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | REM|| Records comments (remarks) in batch files or CONFIG.SYS. | + | | REM|| Records comments (remarks) in batch files or CONFIG.SYS.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | REN|| Renames a file or files.||Same as RENAME (below) | | | REN|| Renames a file or files.||Same as RENAME (below) |
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| | | RENAME|| Renames a file or files.||Same as REN (above) | | | RENAME|| Renames a file or files.||Same as REN (above) |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | REPLACE|| Replaces files. | + | | REPLACE|| Replaces files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | RMDIR|| Removes a directory.||Use the "/s" switch if it has sub-directories, or this will fail. Same function as RD | | | RMDIR|| Removes a directory.||Use the "/s" switch if it has sub-directories, or this will fail. Same function as RD |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | ROBOCOPY|| Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees | + | | ROBOCOPY|| Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SET|| Displays, sets, or removes Windows environment variables. | + | | SET|| Displays, sets, or removes Windows environment variables.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | SETX|| Set environment variables||Somewhat similar to SET | | | SETX|| Set environment variables||Somewhat similar to SET |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SETLOCAL|| Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file. | + | | SETLOCAL|| Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SC|| Displays or configures services (background processes). | + | | SC|| Displays or configures services (background processes).|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SCHTASKS|| Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer. | + | | SCHTASKS|| Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SHIFT|| Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files. | + | | SHIFT|| Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SHUTDOWN|| Allows proper local or remote shutdown, restart, or logoff | + | | SHUTDOWN|| Allows proper local or remote shutdown, restart, or logoff|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SORT|| Sorts input. | + | | SORT|| Sorts input.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | START|| Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command. | + | | START|| Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SUBST|| Associates a path with a drive letter. | + | | SUBST|| Associates a path with a drive letter .|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | SYSTEMINFO|| Displays machine specific properties and configuration. | + | | SYSTEMINFO|| Displays machine specific properties and configuration.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | TASKLIST|| Displays all currently running tasks including services. | + | | TASKLIST|| Displays all currently running tasks including services.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | TASKKILL|| Kill or stop a running process or application.||Use TASKLIST if you need to check the exact name. Always include the program file extension, like ".exe" | | | TASKKILL|| Kill or stop a running process or application.||Use TASKLIST if you need to check the exact name. Always include the program file extension, like ".exe" |
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| | | TIME|| Displays or sets the system time.||In older [[Windows]] versions, the /d switch would show the date | | | TIME|| Displays or sets the system time.||In older [[Windows]] versions, the /d switch would show the date |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | TITLE|| Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session. | + | | TIMEOUT|| Waits a set amount of time before continuing||By default, a key may be pressed to skip the delay. However, the /NOBREAK switch may be used to force the delay without a skip option. Also, using -t -1 is the same as PAUSE |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | TITLE|| Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | TREE|| Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or path.||Similar in function to DIR | | | TREE|| Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or path.||Similar in function to DIR |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | TYPE|| Displays the contents of a text file. | + | | TYPE|| Displays the contents of a text file.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | VER|| Displays the Windows version. | + | | VER|| Displays the Windows version.|| This information is also shown when Command Prompt is opened. |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | VERIFY|| Tells Windows whether to verify that your files are written correctly to a disk. | + | | VERIFY|| Tells Windows whether to verify that your files are written correctly to a disk.|| On most computers, the default is ''off'' |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | VOL|| Displays a disk volume label and serial number. | + | | VOL|| Displays a disk volume label and serial number.|| |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | XCOPY|| Copies files and directory trees.||Can be used for move or copy, and offers a lot of options. | | | XCOPY|| Copies files and directory trees.||Can be used for move or copy, and offers a lot of options. |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | | WMIC|| Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell. | + | | WMIC|| Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell.|| |
| | |}<ref>[[Windows 7]] Command Prompt - "help" command</ref> | | |}<ref>[[Windows 7]] Command Prompt - "help" command</ref> |
| | ''Most of these and/or other commands specific to your system can be viewed by entering the word "help" into the command-line'' | | ''Most of these and/or other commands specific to your system can be viewed by entering the word "help" into the command-line'' |
| | | | |
| − | For almost any command, one may enter and forward slash followed by a question mark (/?) after a base command to see addition information, generally including a description, syntax, and switches (with a description of each) | + | For almost any command, one may enter and forward slash followed by a question mark (/?) after a base command to see additional information, generally including a description, syntax, and switches (with a description of each) |
| | | | |
| | + | ==Variables== |
| | + | Variables are locations where data may be temporally stored on the [[Random-access memory|RAM]] for use within a program or in this case, batch file or CMD session. When variable are set in CMD, the name is listed by it self (like <code>set variable=10</code>) When referenced, however, percent signs are placed on each side (like <code>echo The value is %variable%</code>) |
| | | | |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| | {{reflist}} | | {{reflist}} |
| | | | |
| − | ==External Links== | + | ==See also== |
| − | [http://ss64.com/nt More complete command list on ss64.com] | + | [[Conhost.exe]] |
| | + | |
| | + | ==External links== |
| | + | * [http://ss64.com/nt More complete command list on ss64.com] |
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| | + | |
| | + | [[Category:Command-Line]] |
| | + | [[Category:Software]] |