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Windows CMD & Run commands

Use this when: you need a Windows tool fast: open a console with Win + R or fix a PC from the command line.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)/v1.0//1 page/CC BY-NC 4.0
IT-02 Windows CMD & Run commands cheat sheet. Every table on it is repeated as text below.
Tap the sheet for the full-size image. The text version below is screen-reader friendly.

Text version

Everything on the sheet, as plain HTML: handy for screen readers, copy-paste and search.

Run box launchers

Press Win + R, type the name, and press Enter. Ctrl + Shift + Enter runs it as admin. lusrmgr.msc and gpedit.msc exist on Pro and Enterprise editions only.

TypeOpens
devmgmt.mscDevice Manager
services.mscServices
eventvwr.mscEvent Viewer
compmgmt.mscComputer Management
diskmgmt.mscDisk Management
taskschd.mscTask Scheduler
lusrmgr.mscLocal users and groups
gpedit.mscLocal Group Policy
appwiz.cplPrograms and Features
ncpa.cplNetwork adapters
sysdm.cplSystem properties
msinfo32System Information
resmonResource Monitor
perfmonPerformance Monitor
msconfigBoot and startup
cleanmgrDisk Cleanup
mstscRemote Desktop
controlControl Panel
winverWindows version
regedit dangerRegistry Editor

Network

CommandWhat it does
ipconfig /allIP, DNS, MAC and lease
ipconfig /release and /renew cautionNew DHCP lease
ipconfig /flushdnsClear the DNS cache
ping -n 4 192.0.2.1Is it reachable?
tracert, pathpingWhere does it break?
nslookup example.comDNS answer
netstat -anoPorts and PIDs
net use Z: \\srv\shareMap a drive

System and repair

CommandWhat it does
sfc /scannow (admin)Repair system files
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (admin)Repair the Windows image
chkdsk C: /f (admin) cautionFix disk errors
systeminfoOS, uptime and patches
whoami, hostnameWho and where
gpupdate /forceReapply policy
gpresult /rPolicies applied
net user jdoe /domainLocked? Password expiry

Processes and power

CommandWhat it does
tasklistRunning processes
taskkill /PID 4321 /F cautionForce close
shutdown /r /t 0 cautionRestart now
shutdown /aCancel a shutdown

Caution. /F and /release can lose unsaved work or drop a remote session. chkdsk C: /f runs at the next reboot. Tell the user first.

Danger zone

Danger. These erase or overwrite data. Double-check the drive letter or path and have a backup.

CommandEffect
format D:Wipes the volume
diskpart, then cleanDeletes every partition
robocopy src dst /MIRDeletes extra files at the destination
del /s /q *.*Deletes silently, no Recycle Bin
regeditOne wrong key can stop boot

Handy: cmd /? shows help, Tab completes paths, | clip copies output, > log.txt saves it.

Remember

  • Run DISM first, then sfc /scannow if files are corrupt
  • 169.254.x.x after /renew means no DHCP server replied
  • .msc is a console snap-in; .cpl is a Control Panel item
  • Use an admin prompt only for the task, then close it

Sources

Go deeper on the blog