Windows CMD commands: an overview

Basics
CMD Description Windows version
command

bitsadmin Creates and monitors downloads and uploads. 10/8/7/Vista

break Interrupts Ctrl + C checking in DOS, allowing All Win/DOS

you to stop processes in the old operating
system. Only available for compatibility reasons
in Windows.

call Calls a batch file within another batch file. The All Win/DOS
command has no effect if entered directly into
CMD instead of in a batch file.

cd Displays the current directory and lets you All Win/DOS

switch to other directories. With the parameter
/D plus drive and path specification, you can
also switch drives. Use cd.. to switch to a higher
directory (has the same function as the chdir
command).

chcp Changes the current code page (character set All Win/DOS
table) or shows the page count of the current
code page.

chdir Displays the current directory and lets you All Win/DOS
switch to other directories. With the parameter
/D plus drive and path specification, you can
also switch drives. Use chdir.. to switch to a
higher directory (has the same function as the
cd command).

choice Creates a selection list: typical example is the All Win (not
selection of yes (Y) or no (N), which is created XP)/DOS
with /C YN. With the parameter /M you can add
an explanatory message for the user.

clip Forwards the result of a command to the clip) or the content 10/8/7/Vista
clipboard. For example, you can copy the of a file (clip <
directory structure (dir filename) to the
clipboard.

cls Clears the content of the screen. All Win/DOS

cmd Starts CMD.EXE. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

color Changes the background (first value) and text 10/8/7/Vista/XP
color (second value) of the command prompt.
The color lies between 0 (black) and F (white).

command Starts CMD.COM. 32-bit/DOS

date Displays the current date and allows you to All Win/DOS
change it. With the parameter /T the date is
shown without the option to change.

debug Starts debug, a program that can test and 32-bit/DOS

modify programs within the command prompt.

dir Displays all folders and files within the current All Win/DOS
directory. You can restrict the output by
attributes (/A), simplify the list (/B), or display all
subdirectories and their files (/S).

doskey Creates macros, recalls commands, and edits All Win/DOS

command input.

dosshell Opens the DOS shell, a graphical file 95/DOS

management tool. In Windows, the DOS shell is
replaced by Windows Explorer.

echo Displays a message and is mainly used within All Win/DOS

scripts and batch files.

edit Starts the MS-DOS editor, with which you can 32-bit/DOS
create text files.

edlin Creates and edits text files within the command 32-bit/DOS
prompt.

exit Ends CMD.EXE or CMD.COM. All Win/DOS

fasthelp Displays helpful information about commands. DOS

fastopen Writes the position of a program into a specified 32-bit/DOS

list, which is in the working memory and should
accelerate the start of programs.

find Searches through a file or multiple files for a All Win/DOS

particular character sequence. If you only want
to know how frequently the word or phrase
occurs, use the /C parameter. With the
extension /I the command ignores upper- and
lower-case in the search.

findstr Finds character sequences in one or multiple 10/8/7/Vista/XP

files. It gives you more options when compared
to the find command: you can search for files
 that contain various terms or with /C search for
an exact word order.

forcedos Starts a program in the MS-DOS partial system, XP (32-bit)

in case it’s not directly recognized by Windows
XP as a DOS program.

graftabl Enables the option to use extended characters 32-bit/DOS

of a specific code page in graphics mode.

graphics Starts a program that can print graphics. 32-bit/DOS

help Displays help text for a specific command (you All Win/DOS
can also use the /? command).

kb16 Changes the country settings of the keyboard 32-bit

for DOS programs (only included in Windows for
compatibility reasons. Replaces the old
command keyb).

keyb Changes the country settings of the keyboard 98/95/DOS

for DOS programs (only included in Windows for
compatibility reasons. Replaced by kb16 in
newer Windows versions).

logoff Logs the user out of Windows. Also allows you 10/8/7/Vista/XP
to end sessions on servers.

lpq Displays the status of a printer queue for All Win

computers that use a “line Printer Daemon”
(LPD). (To use the command in Windows 10, 8,
7, or Vista, the LPD print service and the LPR
port monitor have to be enabled first).

lpr Sends a file to a computer that uses a line All Win

printer daemon (LPD). To use the command in
Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista, the LPD print
service and LPR port monitor have to be
enabled first.

md Creates a new directory on the specified path. If All Win/DOS

directories don’t already exist on the path, md
creates them automatically (you can also use
the mkdir command).

mkdir Creates a new directory on the specified path. If All Win/DOS

directories don’t already exist on the path, mkdir
creates them automatically (you can also use
the md command).

more Outputs the content of a file (for example, a text All Win/DOS
file) by the page. You can also use the
 command to split the output of another
command into pages.

msg Sends a message to another user. You can 10/8/7/Vista/XP

write the username into the command or create
files in which usernames are saved. The files
can then be included in the command with
@filename.

nlsfunc Provides country-specific information for 32-bit/DOS

language support.

ntbackup Runs backup services directly from the XP

command line or as part of batch or script files.

path Creates and displays the path for searching All Win/DOS
executable files.

pause Pauses execution in batch files and scripts. The All Win/DOS
user is then prompted in a message to continue
by pressing a key.

popd Changes to the folder saved by the pushd 10/8/7/Vista

command. The command is mainly part of batch
files and scripts.

print Prints a text file. The device to be used for All Win/DOS
printing has to be specified.

prompt Changes the display of the command prompt. All Win/DOS

pushd Saves a specific path into a script or batch file. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

You can change to this directory with popd.

qbasic Starts qbasic, a program environment based on 98/95/DOS

the BASIC programming language.

rd Deletes a directory. This must not contain any All Win/DOS

files, even hidden ones. You can delete an
entire directory tree with the /S parameter (you
can also use the rmdir command).

rem Writes comments in batch and script files that All Win/DOS
aren’t taken into account when executing.

rmdir Deletes a directory. This must not contain any All Win/DOS
files, even hidden ones. You can delete an
entire directory tree with the /S parameter (you
can also use the rd command).

runas Allows a user to run commands with the rights 10/8/7/Vista/XP

of another user. For example, you can run a
 command as an administrator from a normal
user account as long as you know the
password.

scandisk Starts Microsoft ScanDisk. The program 98/95/DOS

searches data carriers for errors.

schtasks Sets the execution of specified programs and 10/8/7/Vista/XP

commands for a specified point in time. You can
create, delete, change, and display all
scheduled tasks.

set Displays environmental variables of CMD.EXE All Win/DOS

and lets you configure them.

shift Moves variables within batch files and scripts. All Win/DOS

shutdown Shuts down the computer (/s), triggers a restart 10/8/7/Vista/XP

(/r), or logs the user out (/l). A graphical user
interface is displayed if you enter the parameter
/I as the first option in the command.

sort Lists out data (from a file or command) and All Win/DOS
outputs it again sorted – directly in the
command prompt, in a new file, or in another
output.

start Opens a new command prompt window in All Win

which you can run a specific program or
command.

subst Assigns a drive letter to a path to create a virtual All Win/DOS

drive.

taskkill Ends one or more running tasks. You either 10/8/7/Vista

have to specify the process ID (PID) or image
name.

tasklist Lists all running processes – also on remote 10/8/7/Vista/XP

computers, if desired. The process ID also has
to be specified, which is required for the taskkill
command, for example.

time Displays the current time and allows it to be All Win/DOS

changed. If the parameter /T is entered, the
command prompt only shows the time and
offers no option to directly change it.

timeout Stops a process for a specified time. The 10/8/7/Vista

command Is used in batch files and scripts. If
 you use the /NOBREAK parameter, the
command ignores any keyboard input.

title Changes the title of the command prompt. All Win/DOS

Spaces are allowed, but not all special
characters such as a slash, for example,
because they may be interpreted as instructions
for a parameter.

tree Graphically displays the directory structure of a All Win/DOS

drive or path. With the /F parameter, all files in
the folders are also listed out. /A also ensures
that only ASCII characters are used for the
graphical representation. The command takes
into account all subdirectories starting from the
given path. If you don’t enter a path, the current
folder is used as the output.

type Displays the content of a text file. All Win/DOS

tzutil Displays the currently set time zone (/g) or 10/8/7

changes it (/s). The parameter /l helps
determine the valid time zones.

ver Displays the current version number of All Win/DOS

Windows or MS-DOS.

Files
CMD Description Windows
command version

append Sets the path in which files will be searched for. 32-bit/DOS

assoc Changes the program that’s linked with a particular file ending. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

attrib Changes attributes of specified files. With the parameter +R you All Win/DOS
can protect a file from changes.

cipher Displays and changes the encryption status of files and 10/8/7/Vista/XP
directories on NTFS partitions.

comp Compares the content of two files or two file sets. The results 10/8/7/Vista/XP
can be displayed as a decimal value (/D) or with ASCII
characters (/A).

compact Displays and changes the compression status of files and 10/8/7/Vista/XP
directories on NTFS partitions.
copy Copies a file or multiple files to another location. It’s also All Win/DOS
possible to connect several files to one. You can use the asterisk
as a wild card.

cscript Runs scripts over the Microsoft Script Host. You can enable All Win/DOS
additional debugging with the /D option.

del Deletes a file or multiple files. If you also want to delete all files All Win/DOS
from subfolders, you can do this with the /S parameter. Read-
only files can be deleted with /F (you can also use the erase
command).

deltree Deletes a directory as well as all subdirectories and files within. 98/95/DOS

diantz Compresses files without any loss (command has the same 7/Vista/XP
function as makecab).

diskcomp Compares the content of two disks. All Win (not

10)/DOS

diskcopy Copies the content of a disk to another. All Win (not

10)/DOS

endlocal Ends the valid range of changes to batch files or scripts. After 10/8/7/Vista/XP
the command, changes are applied to the entire system again
(localization is started with setlocal).

erase Function is the same as del. All Win/DOS

exe2bin Converts an EXE file to a BIN file. 32-bit

expand Extracts files and folders stored in CAB files. All Win (not 64-
bit XP)/DOS

extrac32 Extracts files and folders stored in CAB files. The program is part All Win
of Internet Explorer, but can also be used in the command
prompt.

extract Extracts files and folders stored in CAB files (in new Windows 98/95
versions use expand).

fc Compares two individual files or two sets of files with one All Win/DOS
another and displays the differences.

for Sets a specific command that should be run for each individual All Win/DOS
file in a file set. This command is usually used in batch and script
files.

forfiles Selects one or more files and runs a command that refers to 10/8/7/Vista
these files. Usually used for batch and script files.
ftype Specifies a program for opening a specific file type. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

goto Skips the execution within a batch program to a specific line All Win/DOS
(marker).

if Represents a conditional statement and executes expressions All Win/DOS

within batch files only under certain conditions. Can be extended
by not if commands are only not to be executed under certain
conditions.

makecab Compresses files without loss in CAB format (you can also use 10/8/7/Vista/XP
the diantz command).

mklink Creates a symbolic link to a file. With /D you can also create 10/8/7/Vista
connections to directories. Create a fixed connection instead of a
symbolic connection with /H.

move Moves a file or multiple files from one directory to another. The All Win/DOS
command can also change the names of directories. By default,
the command overwrites other files with the same name when
moving files to the destination. To prevent this use the /-Y
parameter.

openfiles Displays and separates open system files and folders. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

recover Restores readable files that were on a defective data drive. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

ren Changes the name of a particular file. Directory and drive cannot All Win/DOS
be changed this way (or use the rename command).

rename Function is the same as ren. All Win/DOS

replace Replaces the selected file or files with one or more other files. All Win/DOS
With /S files in subfolders are also replaced. With the addition /U
files are only replaced if another version is more current. The
parameter /A allows users to add new files to the target directory
at the same time. This parameter is not compatible with /S and
/U.

robocopy Allows so-called robust file copying. This is an extended version 10/8/7/Vista
of copy and xcopy. With robocopy it’s possible to successfully
transfer data even if there are interruptions in the network. There
are a total of 72 parameters with which the copy command can
be modified.

rsm Manages media on removable storage devices. Is used in batch Vista/XP

files and scripts to support programs that don’t use “Removable
Storage API.”
setlocal Limits the valid range of changes to batch files or scripts. After 10/8/7/Vista/XP
the command, changes only apply to these files (localization is
started with endlocal).

share Installs file sharing and file locking. 32-bit/DOS

sxstrace Starts the WinSxs Tracing Utility, a tool for programming 10/8/7/Vista
diagnostics.

takeown Restores administrator access rights to a file that have been lost 10/8/7/Vista
when reassigning a user.

undelete Undoes the deletion of a file. DOS

verify When enabled, checks whether files are written correctly on a All Win/DOS
data drive. The check is disabled in the standard settings.

where Finds files that match a particular search topic. The placeholders 10/8/7/Vista
* and ? can be used within the topic.

xcopy Copies files and entire directory structures. In this way, the All Win/DOS
command offers various additional options. For example, it can
be specified that only files younger than a specific date (/D)
should be copied. It can also be specified that read-only files are
overwritten (/R).

System
CMD Description Windows
command version

at Starts commands and programs at a particular time. With the 10/8/7/Vista/XP

parameter /every:date[,…] you can also set regular
appointments.

auditpol Displays current monitoring policies. 10/8/7/Vista

backup Creates backups of files. These can be recovered with DOS

restore (replaced by msbackup).

bcdboot Creates and repairs start files. 10/8/7

bcdedit Allows users to make changes to start configuration data 10/8/7/Vista

storage (the command is a new version of bootcfq).

bdehdcfg Prepares a hard drive for BitLocker Drive Encryption. 10/8/7

bootcfg Creates, edits, or displays the content of boot.ini (although it’s 10/8/7/Vista/XP
still included in the Windows 7 CMD, it has lost its function
since boot.ini is no longer used for startup options, instead
you should use bcdedit).
bootsect Modifies the master boot code sot that it’s compatible with the 10/8/7/Vista
Windows Boot Manager or NT Loader (can only be started via
system restore in Windows 7 and Vista).

cacls Edits and displays the access control list. This sets access 10/8/7/Vista/XP
rights (outdated – replaced by icacls in newer Windows
versions).

chkdsk Checks and repairs (with the parameter /R) a data drive. All Win/DOS

chkntfs Changes or displays the data driver check at startup. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

cmdkey Can display (/list), create (/add), or delete (/delete) login 10/8/7/Vista
information.

convert Converts partitions from FAT/FAT32 to NTFS. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

ctty Changes the standard input and output for the system. 98/95/DOS

dblspace Creates or configures compresses drives (a newer version of .98/95/DOS

the command is called drvspace)

defrag Defragments all or only specified drives. Use /U to observe All Win/DOS
the progress. To get an evaluation statistic after the
defragmentation, use the parameter /V.

diskpart Manages, creates, and deletes partitions from the hard drive. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

diskperf Allows users to remotely control the disk performance 10/8/7/Vista

counter.

diskraid Manages RAID systems. 10/8/7/Vista

dism Manages and integrates Windows images. 10/8/7

dispdiag Creates a file in the current directory in which you’ll find 10/8/7/Vista
information about your display.

dosx Starts the DOS Protected Mode Interface, which allows MS- 32-Bit
DOS programs more than 640 KB of RAM. Is only available to
support older DOS programs.

driverquery Creates a list with all installed drivers. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

drvspace Creates or configures compressed drives. An older version of 98/95/DOS

the command is called dblspace.

emm386 Provides DOS with more than 640 KB of RAM. 98/95/DOS

esentutl Manages databases within the extensible storage engine. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

eventcreate Creates an entry (ID and message) in an event log. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

eventtriggers Configures and displays event trigger. XP

fdisk Creates, deletes, and manages partitions on the hard drive. 98/95/DOS
Use diskpart in newer Windows versions.

fltmc Allows users to manage and display filter drivers. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

fondue Installs additional Windows features. The command is an 10/8

abbreviation for the underlying tool: Features on Demand
User Experience Tool.

format Formats a drive to the file system specified by the user. All Win/DOS

fsutil Provides numerous features related to the file system, such 10/8/7/Vista/XP
as disk removal.

hwrcomp Compiles self-created dictionaries for handwriting recognition. 10/8/7

hwrreg Installs a compiled dictionary for handwriting recognition. 10/8/7

icacls Edits and displays the access control list. This sets access 10/8/7/Vista
rights. An outdated version of this command is cacls.

ktmutil Starts the kernel transaction manager. 10/8/7/Vista

label Changes or deletes a drive’s label. All Win/DOS

lh Loads a program into the high memory area (UMB) – has the 98/95/DOS
same function as loadhigh.

licensingdiag Creates an XML and a CAB file that contain information on 10/8
the Windows product license.

loadfix Ensures that a program is loaded and executed above the 32-bit/DOS
first 64 KB of RAM.

loadhigh Has the same function as lh. 98/95/DOS

lock Locks a drive so that only a user-selected program can 98/95

access it directly.

lodctr Updates all registry entries that have to do with performance All Win
indicators.

logman Creates and manages event trace sessions and performance 10/8/7/Vista/XP
logs.
manage-bde Configures drive encryption with BitLocker. Use -on to encrypt 10/8/7
a drive. Use -off to decrypt it again and end BitLocker
protection.

mem Displays information about the RAM and indicates which 32-bit/DOS
programs are currently loaded in it.

memmaker Optimizes the RAM. 98/95/DOS

mode Configures system devices – primarily on the COM or LPT All Win/DOS
port.

mofcomp Analyzes files in managed object format (MOF) and adds the All Win
classes and instances to the WMI repository.

mountvol Creates and deletes mount points for drives and displays 10/8/7/Vista/XP
them.

msav Starts Microsoft Antivirus. DOS

msbackup Starts Microsoft Backup (replaces backup and restores). DOS

mscdex Loads the CD-ROM support for MS-DOS. 98/95/DOS

msd Starts the program Microsoft Diagnostics, with which system DOS
information can be displayed.

msiexec Starts the Windows installer, with which Windows can be 10/8/7/Vista/XP
installed and configured.

muiunattend Starts an automatic setup process for the multilingual user 10/8/7/Vista
interface (MUI).

netcfg Installs the minimal operating system Microsoft Windows PE. 10/8/7/Vista

ocsetup Installs additional Windows functions. 8/7/Vista

pentnt Recognizes floating point division errors in Pentium chips, XP

starts floating point emulation, and disables floating point
hardware.

pkgmgr Installs, uninstalls, and configures packages and functions for 10/8/7/Vista
Windows.

pnpunattend Automates the installation of device drivers. 10

pnputil Installs plug-and-play devices from the command prompt. 10/8/7/Vista

power Uses the IDLE status of a processor to reduce energy 98/95/DOS

consumption.
powercfg Allows the user to change the computer’s energy options and 10/8/7/Vista/XP
control energy conservation plans.

pwlauncher Configures the startup options for Windows To Go with which 10/8
you can boot Windows from a USB drive.

qprocess Provides information on running processes. 10/8/7/Vista

query Displays the status of a particular service. 10/8/7/Vista

quser Provides information on the currently logged-in users. 10/8/7/Vista

reagentc Configures the Windows recovery environment, with which 10/8/7

you can repair the installation of the operating system.

recimg Creates a user-defined Windows image to restore the system. 8

reg Manages the registry of the command prompt. Users can 10/8/7/Vista/XP
create new keys (reg add) or delete them (reg delete).

regini Changes registry authorizations. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

register- Registers a common information model provider (CIM 10/8

cimprovider provider) in Windows.

regsvr32 Registers a DLL file in the registry. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

relog Creates new performance indicator protocols from the data in 10/8/7/Vista/XP
the existing protocols.

repair-bde Repairs and decrypts defective drives that are encrypted with 10/8/7
BitLocker. The files should be saved on a replacement drive.

reset Resets a session. You can also use the rwinsta command. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

restore Restores backups that were created with the backup DOS
command (replaced by msbackup).

rwinsta Command has the same function as reset. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

sc Manages services by connecting to the Service Controller. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

scanreg Repairs the registry and allows a backup to be created of it. 98/95

sdbinst Applies user-defined database files (SDB). 10/8/7/Vista/XP

secedit Analyzes the security settings by comparing the current 10/8/7/Vista/XP

configurations with templates. Settings can also be
configured, imported, and exported with this command.
setver Sets a version number of MS-DOS that’s forwarded to a 32-bit/DOS
program – even if it doesn’t match the actual version.

setx Creates or changes environmental variable in the user of 10/8/7/Vista

system environment.

sfc Checks all important and protected system files. Incorrect 10/8/7/Vista/XP
versions are replaced by correct ones.

smartdrv Starts and manages the hard drive cache program 98/95/DOS
SMARTDrive.

sys Copies system files from MS-DOS and the command 98/95/DOS
interpreter to another hard drive. This makes it bootable.

systeminfo Displays information about the Windows installation, including 10/8/7/Vista/XP

all installed service packages. The information can be
obtained from the local system as well as a remote computer.

tpmvscmgr Creates and deletes TPM virtual smart cards. These are 10/8
virtual smartcards encrypted on the basis of the Trusted
Platform Model.

tracerpt Processes logs or real-time data generated during the tracing 10/8/7/Vista/XP
of computer programs.

typeperf Displays performance counter data or writes it into a file. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

unformat Undoes the drive formatting done by the format command. DOS

unlock Unlocks a drive that was locked with the lock command. 98/95

unlodctr Deletes names as well as descriptions for extensible 10/8/7/Vista/XP

performance counters in the Windows registry.

vaultcmd Creates, deletes, and displays saved registration information. 10/8/7

vol Displays the label and serial number of a drive. All Win/DOS

vsafe Starts the antivirus software VSafe. DOS

vssadmin Manages the volume shadow copy services that can be used 10/8/7/Vista/XP
to store different versions (snapshots) of drives.

wbadmin Creates backups of the operating system and delivers 10/8/7/Vista

information to the created backup copies.

wevtutil Manages event logs and event log files. 10/8/7/Vista

whoami Provides information about the current user. With the 10/8/7/Vista
/GROUP parameter you can obtain additional information
about group membership.

winmgmt Manages WMI repositories. Backups (/backup) are possible All Win
with the command, for example.

winsat Evaluates various system factors – for example, processor 10/8/7/Vista

performance or graphical capabilities.

wmic Starts the Windows Management Instrumentation in the 10/8/7/Vista/XP

command prompt. Various Windows settings can be changed
here – both locally and on remote computers.

xwizard Registers Windows data in the form of XML files. 10/8/7

Network
CMD command Description Windows
version

arp Displays and edits entries in the Address Resolution All Win
Protocol cache.

atmadm Displays information on asynchronous transfer mode XP

(ATM).

certreq Manages and creates certificate registration requirements 10/8/7/Vista

for certification authorities.

certutil Manages services related to certificate authentication. 10/8/7/Vista

change Changes the settings of a terminal server and can be used 10/8/7/Vista
together with the parameters logon, port, or user (replaces
the commands chglogon, chgport, and chgusr).

checknetisolation Checks the network capability of apps from the Windows 10/8
Store.

chglogon Enables, disables, or adjusts logins for terminal server 10/8/7/Vista

sessions.

chgport Displays or changes the COM pin assignment of terminal 10/8/7/Vista

servers for DOS compatibility.

chgusr Changes the installation mode of a terminal server. 10/8/7/Vista

cmstp Installs or uninstalls profiles for the connection manager. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

djoin Creates a new computer account in the Active Directory 10/8/7/Vista

Domain Services (AD DS).
finger Provides information about users on remote devices using 10/8/7/Vista/XP
the Finger service.

ftp Transfers data to an FTP server or from this to a PC. The All Win/DOS
command offers additional options: For example, you can
activate debugging with -d.

getmac Displays the MAC address of all network adapters. The 10/8/7/Vista/XP
format of the output (Table, List, CSV) is set with /FO. With
/S you can use the command on remote systems as well.

gpresult Displays information on the Group Policy. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

gpupdate Updates information on the Group Policy. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

hostname Outputs the name of the current host. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

interlnk Connects two computers via serial or parallel connection to DOS

share files or printers.

intersvr Starts an interlnk server and transfers data from one DOS
computer to another via serial or parallel connection.

ipconfig Provides information on the IP of each used network All Win/DOS

adapter. The command can also be used to release
(/release) or renew (/renew) addresses. With /flushdns you
can clear the DNS cache.

ipxroute Changes and displays information on the IPX routing XP

tables.

irftp Transfers files via infrared connection, if one is available. 10/8/7/Vista

iscsicli Manages iSCSI, which enables connections via the SCSI 10/8/7/Vista
protocol.

klist Displays all tickets authenticated by the Kerberos service. 10/8/7

Also enables the command to delete tickets (purge).

ksetup Configures a connection to a Kerberos server. 10/8/7

mount Enables network sharing under the Network File System. 7/Vista
(To use the command, enable NFS services).

mrinfo Provides information on the router. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

nbtstat Displays statistics and information on the TCP/IP 10

connections on remote computers.

net Configures and displays network settings. All Win

net1 Configures and displays network settings (it’s 10/8/7/Vista/XP
recommended to use net instead; the net1 command is
only intended as a temporary solution for a Y2K problem).

netsh Starts the network shell, which allows for network settings 10/8/7/Vista/XP
to be changed on local and remote computers.

netstat Displays statistics and information on TCP/IP connections All Win

on the local computer.

nfsadmin Manages NFS servers and clients (to be able to use the 7/Vista
command, you first have to enable NFS services in
Windows).

nltest Displays information related to secure channels in the 10/8/7

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and tests the
connections.

nslookup Sends a DNS query to a specific IP or host name on the 10

preconfigured DNS server. You can also specify another
DNS server.

ntsd Runs debugging. XP

pathping Provides information on forwarding and package loss when 10/8/7/Vista/XP

sending over a network and also specifies the latency.

ping Sends an internet control message protocol echo request All Win
to a specific host to check if it’s accessible. The duration of
the echo can also be specified. Ping signals can be sent
continuously with -t. To display statistics on this action,
press Ctrl + Brk. Cancel the process with Ctrl + C.

qappsrv Displays all available remote computers in the network. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

qwinsta Displays information on the open remote desktop sessions. 10/8/7/Vista

rasautou Manages autodial addresses. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

rasdial Starts and ends network connections for Microsoft clients. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

rcp Copies files from a Windows computer to a server that’s 7/Vista/XP

running a RSDH daemon, and vice versa.

rdpsign Signs a remote desktop protocol file (RDP file). 10/7

rexec Runs commands on a remote computer that’s running a Vista/XP

Rexec daemon.

route Displays routing tables and makes it possible to change, All Win
add, or delete entries.
rpcinfo Sends a remote procedure call (RPC) to an RPC server. 7/Vista
The result displays the programs on the remote computer
(to use the command, NFS services on Windows have to
be enabled first).

rpcping Sends a ping via remote procedure call (RPC) and checks 10/8/7/Vista
whether a connection is possible.

rsh Runs commands on remote computers that are running the 7/Vista/XP
Unix program Remote Shell (RSH).

setspn Creates, deletes, and changes SPNs. These are unique 10/8/7
identifiers for services on a network that uses Kerberos
authentication.

shadow Monitors a session on a remote computer. The user can 7/Vista/XP

also actively control the remote computer.

showmount Provides information on NFS file systems (to use the 7/Vista
command, you first have to activate NFS services in
Windows).

tcmsetup Enables or disables a client for the Telephony Application 10/8/7/Vista/XP

Programming Interface (TAPI), a programming interface for
telephone applications.

telnet Enables communication with another computer that also All Win/DOS
uses the telnet protocol.

tftp Enables a file exchange between the local computer and a 10/8/7/Vista/XP
server that supports the Trivial File Transfer Protocol
(TFTP). To use the command, the TFTP client first needs
to be enabled in the system settings.

tlntadmn Manages a telnet server on a local or remote computer (to 8/7/Vista/XP

be able to use the command, the telnet server functions
first have to be enabled in the system settings).

tracert Tracks a data package on the way through the network to a All Win
server. It doesn’t only check whether the package arrives
and how long it takes, but also records how many hops the
package makes on the way. All packages have a set time-
to-live (TTL), which is increased gradually with the
command.

tscon Connects the current local user session with a session on a 10/8/7/Vista/XP
remote computer.

tsdiscon Ends the connection between a local user session and a 10/8/7/VistaXP
session on a remote computer.
tskill Ends a process on a remote computer. 10/8/7/Vista/XP

tsshutdn Shuts down or restarts a remote terminal server. If the XP

target computer supports it, the entire computer can be
turned off in this way.

umount Removes mounted network file system drives. To use the 7/Vista
command, the NFS functions first have to be enabled in the
system settings.

w32tm Manages the Windows time service that synchronizes 10/8/7/Vista/XP

dates and times on all computers that share an AD DS
domain.

waitfor Sends or waits on a single. If the signal is only supposed to 10/8/7/Vista

be sent to specified computers in a domain instead of all,
use the /S parameter. Computers within a network are
synchronized with one another through this command.

wecutil Creates and managements subscriptions for events. These 10/8/7/Vista

are forwarded from remote event sources that support the
WS management protocol.

winrm Manages secure connections between local and remote 10/8/7/Vista

computers via the WS management protocol.

winrs Enables access to the command line of a remote computer 10/8/7/Vista

via a secure connection to implement changes. If you want
to disable encryption, use -un.

wsmanhttpconfig Manages functions of the Windows Remote Management 10/8/7/Vista

(winrm).