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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Command Prompt can quickly show network settings, list running programs, check system files, and copy folders. These 18 practical commands work in Windows 10 and Windows 11 according to Microsoft’s command references. Open Command Prompt, type a command, and press Enter; use an elevated window when a step requires administrator privileges. Windows also includes PowerShell, which Microsoft describes as intended for more advanced capabilities.
For syntax you do not know, start with help or help <command>. The examples below use built-in Windows commands and explain when an option reports information versus changing it.
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What are some useful Command Prompt tricks in Windows?
Command Prompt is the Windows command shell: a place to run text commands and, when useful, combine them in batch files for routine automation. These examples focus on everyday inspection, troubleshooting, and file copying. Microsoft’s Windows Commands reference documents commands for networking, system information, disk checks, copying, and repair.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →1. List available commands with help
Run help to display the commands available in the shell. It is a useful starting point when you know you need a built-in command but not its name.
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2. Look up a specific command
Run help robocopy to request help for Robocopy. Replace robocopy with another command to look up its available syntax. The Microsoft help reference documents both forms.
How do I find my IP address in Command Prompt?
3. Show basic network settings with ipconfig
Run ipconfig to display current TCP/IP configuration. The output includes adapter addresses and, where configured, the subnet mask and default gateway. If several adapters appear, look for the one you are using—such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. See Microsoft’s ipconfig reference.
4. Display full adapter details with ipconfig /all
Add /all for fuller configuration details, including information that can help identify the relevant adapter and its network settings. The output can contain identifying details, so review it before sharing a screenshot or copied text publicly.
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5. Clear the DNS resolver cache
Run ipconfig /flushdns when troubleshooting a DNS-resolution problem. It clears the local DNS resolver cache; it is not a general internet-speed improvement.
6. Renew a DHCP-assigned address
Run ipconfig /renew when the connection obtains its network configuration through DHCP and you want Windows to request a renewed configuration. It is not a fix for every connection problem, and it may not apply to a manually configured address. The Microsoft ipconfig documentation lists the cache and DHCP options.
How do I see what programs are running?
7. List running processes with tasklist
Run tasklist to see running processes and their process IDs. A process is not necessarily a user-facing app: Windows services and background components can also appear.
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8. Filter the process list
For example, run tasklist /fi "STATUS eq running" to filter the listing to processes whose status is running. Filters can make a long result easier to inspect; the Microsoft tasklist reference documents the supported filter syntax.
9. Output the process list as CSV
Run tasklist /fo csv to format the output as comma-separated values, which is easier to import into a spreadsheet or another tool than fixed-width text. The command can also query remote computers, but this guide avoids credential examples that could expose passwords.
How can I inspect Windows and computer details?
10. Print a system summary with systeminfo
Run systeminfo to report Windows, security, and hardware configuration. It can help when checking what system you are working on or collecting details for troubleshooting. Treat the output as potentially sensitive: review it before posting it publicly.
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11. Choose a list or CSV format
Use systeminfo /fo LIST for a list-style layout or systeminfo /fo CSV for comma-separated output. The available formats and reported fields are described in Microsoft’s systeminfo reference.
How do I check Windows system files?
12. Verify protected files without attempting repair
In a Command Prompt opened with administrator privileges, run sfc /verifyonly. System File Checker verifies protected system files but does not attempt repairs with this option.
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13. Scan and attempt repair with sfc /scannow
Run sfc /scannow from an elevated Command Prompt to scan protected system files and attempt to replace incorrect versions when possible. Membership in the local Administrators group is required. The scan may take time; let it finish and read the result it reports. Microsoft documents the options in its SFC reference.
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How do I check a drive from Command Prompt?
14. Check a volume’s file-system status
Run chkdsk C: to check the C: volume. Substitute the intended drive letter. Without repair switches, CHKDSK reports file-system status rather than fixing errors.
15. Repair file-system errors with /f
Run chkdsk C: /f only when you intend to have CHKDSK fix file-system errors on that volume. Use administrator-level access, ensure the drive letter is correct, and avoid casually interrupting the operation. Depending on the volume’s availability, Windows may need to schedule the check for a later restart. CHKDSK checks file-system structures and metadata; it is not a general diagnosis of a drive’s physical health. See Microsoft’s CHKDSK reference.
How do I copy folders from Command Prompt?
16. Copy a folder tree with Robocopy
Robocopy copies file data between a source and a destination. A basic pattern is robocopy "C:Records" "D:Backup"; replace those example paths with the actual source and destination. Quotation marks are important for paths containing spaces. Check both paths before running the command, especially when copying to a drive with existing files.
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17. Make a transfer restartable and log it
Add /z to make copying restartable if a transfer is interrupted, and /log:"C:copy-log.txt" to write command output to a log file. For example: robocopy "C:Records" "D:Backup" /z /log:"C:copy-log.txt". Choose a log path you can write to and later find. Restartable copying and a log can help manage a transfer, but they do not by themselves make a verified backup.
18. Use multiple threads when appropriate
Add /mt to use multithreaded copying, for example robocopy "C:Records" "D:Backup" /mt. Multithreading can be useful for suitable workloads, but it is not necessary for every transfer; test the command on noncritical files if you are unsure about the paths or options.
Be especially careful with mirror or purge-style options: they can remove files from the destination to make it match the source. Do not add them casually. Review Microsoft’s Robocopy examples and syntax before using options that affect destination contents.
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