Useful commands for Windows you should know about
There are some things on Windows that can only be done from the command line. Some of these functions, simply don’t have graphical equivalents, while others just speed up your troubleshooting tasks. Everyday users usually don’t know how to do it or even what it is, or perhaps they don’t even realize how useful the command line can be. If you are one of these people, this tutorial will show you some benefits of command line tool and convince you to start using it.
All the described commands need to be entered in the command line tool. To start using it, you have to open the Start menu, then type in "cmd" in the search box (without the quotes) and press Enter.
Ipconfig- check your IP address
Inserting the ipconfig command displays your computer’s IP address and other additional information related to our router (default gateway). It comes in handy if you want to know the IP address of your router’s web interface to log on or introduce and changes.
Once you typed ipconfig into a Command Prompt window. you will be presented with a list of all the network applications your computer is connected to. If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you need to find Wireless LAN adapter. In case you’re connected to a wired network, look for Ehternet phrase.
ipconfig /flushdns- flush the DNS resolver cache
Another handy thing you can do with ipconfig is flush the DNS resolver cache. It can be useful when we have changed DNS address or a system is resolving DNS addresses incorrectly. Windows may not accept introduced changes on the fly due to the storage of information in the cache. To refresh the settings just simply use this command "ipconfig / flushdns".
This option is also helpful if a particular web page doesn’t work (for example all Google services), while our friends have no problem using Gmail or YouTube. This means that the problem is on our side and can be caused by incorrect DNS addresses.
sfc /scannow- scan the system
Windows comes with a system file checker tool that scans system files for errors and problems. If system files are damaged or have been accidentally deleted, the system file checker will repair them. This option may help you resolve minor problems with some Windows systems.
To use this tool, insert the sfc /scannow command and the system will automatically look for problems.
Cipher- permanently overwrite files
The main aim of cipher command is encryption, however it also has an option that will write junk data to a drive, thus increasing more free space. Deleted files are normally stored on disk unless you’re using a stellar recovery tools. Therefore, the cipher command lets you effectively clean a drive without a need to download any third-party software.
To use the command, insert the “cipher /w:C:\” command in the Command Prompt, while C stands for a disk.
netstat - an - shows a list of network connections and ports
The netstat command is one of the most useful command out there, which displays network statistics depending on various options. The netstat –an command is particularly helpful since it presents a list of all open network connections on your computer, together with ports you’re using and IP addresses you’re connected to.
ping, tracert- solve connectivity issues
Useful commands to verify basic TCP/IP connectivity issues to a network host. To use ping, simply enter the command, followed by the name or IP address of the host you want to test. Then, ping command sends packets to selected address( for example ping google.com), and the server responds, informing you it is connected. Next, the command prompt displays delay time in milliseconds. The lower the number the better. You’ll be able to check whether you’re experiencing packet loss or if all packets reach their destinations.
The tracert command, in turn, allows you to trace the route it takes for a packet to reach a specified address. If you run tracert google.com, you’ll trace the path your packet takes to reach Google and see at what point the problem occurs. If you’re having connectivity problems, tracert will show you where the problem is occurring.
shutdown – create shutdown or logging out shortcuts
Commands can be entered in the command line, but you can also create shortcuts that automatically trigger the command prompt with the appropriate command. We can therefore use the shutdown command that turns off or restarts your computer, and place them on your Start screen, allowing you to more easily access Windows 8 features. This will allow you to more easily shut down Windows without having to use the charms bar on the right side of the screen.
Simply right-click on the desktop, and then select "New> Shortcut" from the context menu. The Create Shortcut dialog appears, where you need to determine the location of the item. Instead of clicking "Browse ..." choose one of the following commands:
• Shut Down: shutdown /s /t 0
• Restart: shutdown /r /t 0
• Restart Into Startup Options: shutdown /r /o
Then, create a shortcut and name it.
recimg – create your own recovery images
The Windows 8 refresh tool allows you to restore your computer’s system to its default settings on the basis of an original Windows image or image from its manufacturer. However, we can create our own custom recovery image at any time, which can be used in the refreshing process of our computer.
To do this, run the following command recimg /CreateImage C:\CustomRefreshImages\Image1 to create a new recovery image. This command creates a custom refresh image named "Image1", in the "CustomRefreshImages" on C drive. Of course, you can store the custom image in any folder you wish and change its name the way you like.