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Windows CMD (Command Prompt)

The legacy Windows shell. CMD is everywhere and fine for quick tasks, but for scripting, sensible pipelines, and Linux parity, prefer PowerShell — this sheet focuses on what still gets done in CMD and how it maps to Linux.

Table of Contents

Installation / Setup

  • Open: Win+R → cmd → Enter; or Terminal → new tab → Command Prompt.
  • Run as administrator when a task needs elevation (right-click → Run as administrator).
ver                 :: Windows version
echo %PATH%         :: print an environment variable (%VAR% in CMD)
help                :: brief help per command (help cd, help dir)

Distinguish CMD from PowerShell up front: CMD is a token-based batch shell using %VAR%, copy, dir; PowerShell is an object shell using $VAR, Copy-Item, Get-ChildItem. If you type something and PowerShell errors, you may be mixing them — this sheet is CMD.

Core Syntax

Linux ↔ Windows (CMD) quick map

Task Linux CMD
list files ls -la dir / dir /a
change dir cd /data cd \data (and cd /d D:\ to change drive)
print working dir pwd cd (no args)
copy cp a b copy a b
move/rename mv a b move a b / ren a b
delete file(s) rm f del f
delete tree rm -r d rmdir /s /q d
make dir mkdir -p a/b mkdir a\b
view file cat f / less f type f / more f
clear screen clear cls
find text grep pattern f findstr pattern f
show PATH echo $PATH echo %PATH%
history history doskey /history
whoami whoami whoami

Common Operations

dir                    :: list
dir /a                 :: include hidden
dir /s *.py            :: recursive search for files
cd \Users\me\project   :: absolute path
cd ..                  :: up one level
cd /d E:\data          :: change drive too
mkdir data\raw         :: nested creation works
rmdir /s /q olddir     :: delete tree, no prompt (dangerous)

Files

copy file.txt backup\            :: copy
move file.txt ..\done\           :: move
ren report.csv report-old.csv    :: rename
del *.tmp                        :: delete matching
type README.md                   :: print file
more bigfile.log                 :: page through
fc file1.txt file2.txt           :: compare files

Search & text

findstr /i "error" app.log         :: case-insensitive search
findstr /n "TODO" *.py             :: with line numbers
findstr /c:"exact phrase" log.txt
dir /s /b *.csv | findstr /i train   :: pipe into findstr

Processes & system

tasklist                        :: list processes
tasklist | findstr python       :: find one
taskkill /PID 1234 /F           :: force kill by PID
taskkill /IM python.exe /F      :: kill by image name
systeminfo                      :: OS, RAM, uptime
wmic cpu get name               :: CPU model
ver                             :: Windows version

Networking

ping -n 4 google.com
ipconfig                        :: IP config (all adapters)
ipconfig /all
netstat -ano                    :: ports & owning PIDs
netstat -ano | findstr :8888
nslookup example.com
tracert example.com
curl -I https://example.com     :: Win10+ ships curl

Environment variables & archives

echo %USERNAME%  :: current user
echo %PATH%
set MY_VAR=hello             :: session only
setx MY_VAR hello            :: persistent (new shells)
set PATH=%PATH%;C:\tools    :: extend for this session

tar -czf backup.tar.gz folder\    :: Win10+ tar built in
tar -xzf backup.tar.gz
Expand-Archive file.zip dest\     :: PowerShell — see powershell.md
:: classic alternative: use Explorer right-click > Extract

SSH (Windows 10/11 OpenSSH client)

ssh user@host
ssh -i C:\Users\me\.ssh\id_ed25519 user@host
scp -i C:\Users\me\.ssh\id_ed25519 model.pt user@host:/home/user/
:: keys live in C:\Users\you\.ssh\

Services & troubleshooting

net start           :: list running services
net start <name>    :: start a service
net stop <name>     :: stop
sc query <name>     :: query a service
sc queryex mysql    :: detail incl. PID

sfc /scannow                          :: repair system files
chkdsk C:                            :: check disk (may need admin/reboot)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth   :: repair image (admin)

Practical Examples

1. Find what is using a port

netstat -ano | findstr :8888
tasklist /FI "PID eq 1234"
taskkill /PID 1234 /F

2. Batch-rename files

:: rename all .TXT to .txt (case fix) in current folder
for %f in (*.TXT) do ren "%f" "%~nf.txt"
:: in a .bat file, double the %:  for %%f in (*.TXT) do ren "%%f" "%%~nf.txt"

3. Daily backup with timestamp

set stamp=%date:~0,4%-%date:~5,2%-%date:~8,2%
mkdir backups\%stamp%
copy models\*.pt backups\%stamp%\

4. Log viewer tail

powershell -Command "Get-Content app.log -Tail 50 -Wait"
:: CMD has no tail; delegate to PowerShell when needed

Common Patterns

:: Conditional execution (same idea as Linux && and ||)
dir models && echo found || echo missing

:: Run as admin from a script: check elevation
net session >nul 2>&1 && (echo admin) || (echo not admin & pause)

:: Loop over files (batch file — %% in .bat, % at prompt)
for %%f in (data\*.csv) do python prep.py "%%f"

:: Quietly discard output (2>nul = stderr)
ping -n 1 host >nul 2>&1 && echo host up || echo host down

Best Practices

  • Prefer PowerShell for anything non-trivial — CMD has no objects, weak quoting, and painful loops.
  • Use rmdir /s /q and del with care — CMD has no trash and no undo.
  • setx affects only new shells; restart the terminal after setting vars.
  • Quote paths with spaces throughout: cd "C:\Program Files\x".
  • Escape special chars with ^ (e.g. echo a ^& b), and use % not $ for variables.
  • In .bat files use %% in loops; at the interactive prompt use %.
  • Keep to curl (built in) rather than the ancient ftp tool.
  • Defensive/system commands (netstat, tasklist, sc query, sfc) are read-only and safe; avoid running destructive variants on systems you don't own.

Common Mistakes

Mistake Consequence Fix
Using ls in CMD 'ls' is not recognized dir
Using $var instead of %var% Literal text $var %VAR% in CMD, $VAR in PowerShell
cd D:\data doesn't switch drive Stays on C: cd /d D:\data
rmdir /s without checking Deletes a whole tree List first: dir /s
%i in a .bat loop Script error Double it: %%i
Forgetting quotes around paths with spaces "Too many arguments" Always quote
netstat output truncated PID hidden Use -ano and widen the window

Troubleshooting

Symptom Cause Fix
'cmd' is not recognized... Not actually in CMD (PowerShell) Check prompt > vs PS>
Access is denied Needs admin Run as administrator
Port already in use Another app netstat -ano \| findstr :port → kill PID
curl unknown (old Windows) Legacy build Use PowerShell Invoke-WebRequest or install curl
Batch file closes instantly Error with no pause Run from an open CMD window; add pause
%%f error at prompt Double-percent at prompt Use single %f interactively

Official Documentation

Last Updated

2026-09-06 — Initial version.