What is Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows OS? Basic Commands of CMD - FlashByte

Introduction:

Command Prompt is a powerful tool in Windows Operating System (OS) that allows you to perform various tasks and execute commands through the command line interface. It is an essential tool for power users, IT professionals, and system administrators as it enables them to perform tasks more efficiently and quickly compared to using the graphical user interface (GUI) of Windows.

In this article, we will discuss what Command Prompt is and how to use it in Windows OS. We will cover the basics of Command Prompt, the different ways to open it, and the most common commands used in Command Prompt. By the end of this article, you will have a good understanding of how to use Command Prompt and how it can help you in your daily tasks.

What is Command Prompt?

Command Prompt is a text-based interface that enables users to interact with the Windows OS using commands and scripts. It was first introduced in MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) and has been included in all versions of Windows OS since then.

Command Prompt allows you to perform various tasks such as navigating through directories, copying and moving files, creating and deleting directories, and much more. You can also use it to execute scripts, run batch files, and perform system administration tasks.

Opening Command Prompt in Windows OS:

There are several ways to open Command Prompt in Windows OS:

1. Start Menu: You can open Command Prompt by clicking on the Start Menu and searching for Command Prompt.
2. Windows Run: You can open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and then typing cmd in the Run dialog box.
3. File Explorer: You can open Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
4. Task Manager: You can open Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Taskbar and selecting Task Manager. Then, click on the File menu and select Run new task. Type cmd in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
5. Windows Power Shell: You can open Windows PowerShell by clicking on the Start Menu and searching for "Windows PowerShell".

Basic Commands in Command Prompt:

Now that you know how to open Command Prompt, let's take a look at some of the most common commands used in Command Prompt:

1. dir: The "dir" command is used to display the contents of a directory. You can use this command to view the files and directories in your current directory or a specified directory.
2. cd: The "cd" command is used to change the current directory. You can use this command to navigate to different directories on your computer.
3. copy: The "copy" command is used to copy files from one location to another. You can use this command to copy files from one directory to another, or to copy files to a removable storage device.
4. move: The "move" command is used to move files from one location to another. You can use this command to move files from one directory to another, or to move files to a removable storage device.
5. del: The "del" command is used to delete files. You can use this command to delete one or more files in a directory.
6. mkdir: The "mkdir" command is used to create a new directory. You can use this command to create a new directory in your current directory or in a specified directory.
7. rmdir: The "rmdir" command is used to delete a directory. You can use this command to delete an empty directory.