You’re not the only one who frequently forgets Windows CMD commands. Although it might be challenging to remember all the correct commands, the Command Prompt is still a useful tool for controlling files, programs, storage, networks, and system settings. Because of this, having a handy Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet—whether you print it off or save it to your desktop—can be a huge help.
It’s smart to have CMD commands on your computer or paper as a CMD commands cheat sheet since sometimes you forget them when using Microsoft Windows. The most frequently used commands are included in this Windows 11 command prompt cheat sheet, although it is not comprehensive. However, keep a copy of this command prompt commands cheat sheet on your working desk, in your pocket, or with you at all times.
Keep reading and exploring to learn the best Windows CMD commands cheat sheet you can ever get in 2025.
Table of Contents
What is the Windows Command Line?
You may run commands on your machine using the textual interface known as the Windows command line. Additionally, the command line (CMD), sometimes known as the “command prompt” or just “prompt,” is a text-based tool for managing your computer and is used to issue, produce, or execute instructions. Nonetheless, the command line may be used for several fixes, such as launching applications and obtaining system preferences. Although it may appear intimidating at first, using the command line is actually rather easy. Furthermore, you may quickly learn how to use Windows’ command line functions to run your computer more efficiently with a little work.
Additionally, the command-line terminal for Microsoft Windows PCs is the Microsoft Windows commands prompt, which is comparable to the Terminal in Unix and Linux. Although it is not MS-DOS, it mimics a number of command-line structures and features from Microsoft’s now-defunct text-only computer operating systems. Now, we will talk about some of the useful Windows command prompt cheat sheet you will need in your daily use.
The Best Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet in 2025
Here is the best Windows commands cheat sheet you can ever get in 2025:
Directory Navigation
You may inspect and move directories with the use of this command line cheat sheet Windows.
| Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
| c: | Change the present drive to the C:\ drive. |
| d: | Change the existing drive to the D:\ drive. |
| CD c:\path\to\my_folder | To change directory to c:\path\to\my_folder |
| CD.. | To navigate to the parent directory of the existing working directory file. |
| CD .\new_folder | To navigate to the folder new_folder located in the existing working directory. |
| CD /D d:\videos\ | Change the present drive to D:\ and access the folder videos on it. |
| DIR | Display files and folders in the existing directory |
| DIR /A c:\apps\ | Display files & folders in the directory c:\apps\ |
| DIR /A:D | Display only folders (D: directories) |
| DIR /A:-D | Display only files (D: directories; -: not) |
| DIR /A:H | Display hidden files & folders |
| DIR /O | Display files & folders sorted alphabetically. |
| DIR /O:S | Display files & folders sorted by file size from least to largest. |
| DIR /O:-S | Display files and folders organized by file size from largest to smallest |
| DIR /B | Display only the names of files & folders in the present working directory file |
| SORT | Take data from a source file/pipeline, sort its insides alphabetically (defaulting: A to Z and vice versa), and display the output. |
| SORT “C:\music\playlist.m3u” | To sort the contents of C:\music\playlist.m3u line by line. |
| MOVE | To move a file or files. |
| MOVE c:\f1\text.txt c:\f2 | Move the file text.txt from a folder c:\f1 to another folder c:\f2 |
| MD new_folderMAKEDIR new_folder | To create a new folder called new_folder in the existing directory. |
| RD new_folderRMDIR new_folder | To delete the folder called new_folder in the existing directory. |
| TREE | Show the directory building of a disk/folder. |
| TREE “C:\Program Files” | Show the directory construction of the folder “Program Files” on the disk C:\ |
| TREE C:\ /F | Display the names of the records in each folder in the file directory structure of the C:\ drive. |
| ATTRIB | Display/set the characteristics of the files in the current directory |
| ATTRIB +H +S +R myItem | Hide a file/folder myItem |
Also Read: 400+ Linux Basic Commands You Should Know
File Management
The command line cheat sheet listed below is used to manage and work with files.
However, similar to Unix, CMD allows pipelines. By placing the pipe character “|” between two commands, you may send the output of one to the next. Moreover, here is the File Management Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet:
| Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
| COPY text.txt C:\schoolwork | To copy the file text.txt to a folder with the path C:\schoolwork. |
| DEL text.txtERASE text.txt | Delete the file text.txt |
| REN text.txt script.batRENAME text.txt script.bat | Rename the file text.txt to script.bat |
| REPLACE .\src\hey.txt .\dest | To overwrite; replace a file named hello.txt in a local folder src with an additional hello.txt in a local folder dest, both files allocating the same name. Warning: Don’t postulate .\dest\hey.txt anywhere here. |
| XCOPY | Copy files and directory trees to an alternative folder. XCOPY is similar to COPY, but with extra switches to specify the source and end point paths in detail. |
| XCOPY /S folder1 folder2 | Copy folders & subfolders of folder1 to folder2 |
| ROBOCOPY | Robust copying of files & directories: by default, such copying only happens if the source and endpoint differ in time stamps or file sizes. |
| EXPAND gameData.cab | Decompresses the compressed .CAB filing cabinet file, gameData.cab |
| FC file1.ext file2.ext | Compare the contents of 2 files (file1.ext, file2.ext) and display non-matching lines |
| COMP file1.ext file2.ext | Compare the contents of 2 files (file1.ext, file2.ext) and display non-matching items |
| FIND “python” in run.bat | Output every line that covers a text string (which you must encircle in quotation marks) “python” in the file run.bat |
| FIND /C “python” in run.bat | Count every line that covers a text string (which you must encircle in quotation marks) “python” in the file run.bat |
| PRINT resume.txt | Print the contents of the file resume.txt |
| OPENFILES /QUERY | Query/display open files |
| OPENFILES /DISCONNECT | Disconnect files unlocked by network users. |
| TYPE test.txt | It displays the contents of the file test.txt type |
| TYPE playlist.m3u SORT /unique /o C:\work\unique_play.m3u | It sorts a file playlist.m3u and output only the exclusive values to a file C:\work\unique_play.m3u |
| MORE | Display the contents of one or more files, one display screen at a time. |
| ASSOC | Display or change the connotation between a file extension and a file type |
| NOTEPAD | Open the Notepad app from the CMD. |
Also Read: Docker Commands Cheat Sheet: Mastering Your Ultimate Cheat Sheet
Disk Management
The following Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet is simple to complete and may be automated on CMD.
| Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
| CHKDSK | Check & repair disk problems (local disks only) |
| CHKDSK /F A: | To fix errors on A: drive. |
| CHKDSK /R A: | To recover data on A: drive. |
| CHKDSK /X A: | Dismount drive A: |
| CIPHER /E classified | To encrypt the folder: classified. |
| CIPHER /D secret_recipe.txt | To decrypt the file secret_recipe.txt |
| DEFRAG | For Disk Defragmentation |
| CHKNTFS | Display/modify disk-checking on startup |
| COMPACT | Display/change the density of files in NTFS partitions |
| CONVERT | Convert the FAT disk volume to NTFS. |
| DISKPART | Display and regulate disk partition properties |
| FORMAT | To format the disk |
| FSUTIL | For file system management |
| LABEL d:x | To rename disk D:\ to X:\ |
| SUBST p: c:\taxes | To assign drive P:\ to the local folder C:\taxes |
| SUBST p: /D | To remove the path represented by P:\ |
| RECOVER d:\data.dat | Recover the file data.dat from a bad or defective disk D:\ |
| VOL | Display the current disk volume tag and serial number. |
| POWERCFG | Control power settings and organize Hibernate/Standby modes |
| SFC /SCANNOW | Scan and bring up-to-date protected system files. |
System Information and Networking
When troubleshooting computers and computer networks, the following Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet might become useful.
| Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
| VER | Display the current operating system version. |
| SYSTEMINFO | List system configuration |
| HOSTNAME | Show the computer’s hostname on the network. |
| DRIVERQUERY | Show all installed device drivers. |
| DATE | Display/set system date |
| TIME | Display/set system time |
| GPRESULT | Display the Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) info for a remote user and computer. |
| GPUPDATE | Update group policies |
| IPCONFIG | Display Windows IP network configurations. |
| IPCONFIG /release | Release your current local IP address. |
| IPCONFIG /renew | Request a new local IP address. |
| IPCONFIG /flushdns | Reset the contents of the DNS server client resolver cache. |
| PING google.com | Send ICMP requirements to the target google.com and check the host availability. |
| PATHPING | Trace route and deliver network latency and packet loss for individually router and link in the path |
| NET | It provides various network services. |
| NET use M: \\gameServ /user: “ReadyPlayerOne” player1 | It assigns as disk M:\ the path \\gameServ, logging in as “ReadyPlayerOne” and password “player1” |
| TRACERT | To find the IP address of any remote host. |
| NSLOOKUP | To find IP addresses on a nameserver. |
| ROUTE | To manipulate network routing tables. |
| ROUTE PRINT | Displays network route details |
| ARP -A | List IP addresses and conforming physical addresses (Address Resolution Protocol) |
| NETSH | Configure network boundaries, Windows firewall, routing, and remote access |
| NETSTAT | Display current TCP/IP network links and protocol statistics |
| GETMAC | Shows all the Apple MAC addresses of the network adapters |
Process Management
The following Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet is similar to those in Task Manager. Keep in mind that variables are called in arithmetic or logical statements by surrounding them in two “%” marks, such as “%a%.”
| Commands | Explanation |
|---|---|
| SCHTASKS | Create/edit a task on Task Scheduler. Use this to create arranged tasks in Disk Management. |
| SET | List environment variables |
| PATH | Display/change the list of folders kept in the %PATH% environment variable |
| SHUTDOWN /R | To restart the computer |
| SHUTDOWN /S /T 60 | To shut down the computer 60 seconds from now. |
| TASKLIST | List running tasks |
| TASKLIST /SVC | Show services related to each task |
| TASKLIST /V | Display detailed task information. |
| TASKLIST | FIND “1234” | Get the name of the executable related to the process ID (PID) of 1234 |
| TASKKILL | End one or more tasks. |
| TASKKILL /IM “msedge.exe” | Terminate all Microsoft Edge instances: |
| TASKKILL /PID 10736 | Terminate process with PID of 10736 |
| REGREGEDIT | Registry Editor |
| RUNAS /USER:user2 program1 | Execute a program program1 as an alternative user user2 |
| POWERSHELL | Open a PowerShell instance. |
Shortcut keys
Any Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet must include techniques to make your job go more quickly, like the following.
| Commands | Effect |
|---|---|
| Tab | Autocomplete |
| Ctrl+F | Find text in console (opens dialog box) |
| F1, F3, F5, F8 | Retype command |
| F2 | Copy the existing command leftward of the cursor. |
| F4 | Delete the existing command rightward of the cursor. |
| F6 | Insert end-of-file character |
| F7 | List the preceding commands from which you choose |
| F9 | Retype a command by entering its line number in the command History |
Conclusion
We genuinely hope that our Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet will help you complete your job today swiftly and effectively, particularly if you have a history of misunderstanding Windows command prompt commands with other terminal scripting languages. You can also copy command in CMD prompt from our list and become a CMD pro in 2025.
Especially if you have previously been confused by the Windows command line cheat sheet Windows with other console programming languages, we hope that our Windows 11 command prompt cheat sheet will help you finish your work today swiftly and effectively.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Do I Get A List Of Command Prompts?
To get the best CMD prompts, you can get the Windows Command Prompt Cheat Sheet from this blog. In another way, you can follow these steps:
- Type “help” into the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.
- However, this will provide a list of the main commands and system tools that are accessible in the Command Prompt, along with a synopsis of each.
What Cool Things Can I Do In CMD?
- Utilize the Command Prompt to Encrypt Files
- Modify the Command Prompt Window’s Color
- Alter the Command Prompt’s Prompt Text
- Modify the Command Prompt Window’s Title
- List all of the drivers that are installed on your Windows 10 computer.
- In CMD, the keys F1 through F9 are shortcuts.
- Utilize the Command Prompt to Hide Folders
- Transfer the Command Output to the Clipboard
What Are The Basic Commands In CMD?
Typical commands for the Windows Command Prompt (CMD):
- Dir: Provides a list of the current directory’s files and folders.
- Cd: Changes the current directory.
- Md: Establishes a fresh directory.
- Rd: Removes (deletes) a directory.
- Copy: Makes duplicate files.
- Del: Removes data.
- Ren: Modifies file names.
- Type: Shows a text file’s contents.
How To Use CMD For Everything?
Another way to open the run box is to press Win + R at the same time, type cmd, and hit Enter. Moreover, enter the instructions now, and you can use the Windows CMD commands cheat sheet to accomplish anything.