Windows 8 Command Prompt Commands

A complete list of the 230+ CMD commands available in Windows 8, plus a description of what each one is for

The Windows 8 Command Prompt contains access to around 230 commands. These are used for a variety of purposes, including diagnosing and correcting certain Windows problems, automating tasks, and much more.

Availability of Command Prompt Commands

Not all Command Prompt commands are carried over to new Windows operating systems as they are released. So while the CMD commands listed in the table below apply to Windows 8, some might not be available in Windows 11, or Windows XP, etc.

A number of these commands are very similar to MS-DOS commands. However, the Command Prompt in Windows 8 is not MS-DOS, so the commands are not correctly referred to as MS-DOS commands. We do have this Complete List of MS-DOS Commands if you really are using MS-DOS and are interested.

List of Command Prompt Commands for Windows 8

Below is a complete list of commands, sometimes called CMD commands, that are available from the Command Prompt in Windows 8:

Command Description
Append The append command can be used by programs to open files in another directory as if they were located in the current directory. The append command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Arp The arp command is used to display or change entries in the ARP cache.
Assoc The assoc command is used to display or change the file type associated with a particular file extension.
Attrib The attrib command is used to change the attributes of a single file or a directory.
Auditpol The auditpol command is used to display or change audit policies.
Bcdboot The bcdboot command is used to copy boot files to the system partition and to create a new system BCD store.
Bcdedit The bcdedit command is used to view or make changes to Boot Configuration Data.
Bdehdcfg The bdehdcfg command is used to prepare a hard drive for BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Bitsadmin The bitsadmin command is used to create, manage, and monitor download and upload jobs. While the bitsadmin command is available in Windows 8, it is being phased out. The BITS PowerShell cmdlets should be used instead.
Bootcfg The bootcfg command is used to build, modify, or view the contents of the boot.ini file, a hidden file that is used to identify in what folder, on which partition, and on which hard drive Windows is located. The bootcfg command was replaced by the bcdedit command beginning in Windows Vista. Bootcfg is still available in Windows 8 but it serves no real value since boot.ini is not used.
Bootsect The bootsect command is used to configure the master boot code to one compatible with Windows 8 (BOOTMGR). The bootsect command is only available from the Command Prompt in Advanced Startup Options.
Break The break command sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking on DOS systems. The break command is available in Windows 8 to provide compatibility with MS-DOS files but it has no effect in Windows itself.
Cacls The cacls command is used to display or change access control lists of files. The cacls command is being phased out in favor of the icacls command, which should be used instead.
Call The call command is used to run a script or batch program from within another script or batch program. The call command has no effect outside of a script or batch file. In other words, running the call command at the Command Prompt or MS-DOS prompt will do nothing.
Cd The cd command is the shorthand version of the chdir command.
Certreq The certreq command is used to perform various certification authority (CA) certificate functions.
Certutil The certutil command is used to dump and display certification authority (CA) configuration information in addition to other CA functions.
Change The change command changes various terminal server settings like install modes, COM port mappings, and logons.
Chcp The chcp command displays or configures the active code page number.
Chdir The chdir command is used to display the drive letter and folder that you are currently in. Chdir can also be used to change the drive and/or directory that you want to work in.
Checknetisolation The checknetisolation command is used to test apps that require network capabilities.
Chglogon The chglogon command enables, disables, or drains terminal server session logins. Executing the chglogon command is the same as executing change logon.
Chgport The chgport command can be used to display or change COM port mappings for DOS compatibility. Executing the chgport command is the same as executing change port.
Chgusr The chgusr command is used to change the install mode for the terminal server. Executing the chgusr command is the same as executing change user.
Chkdsk The chkdsk command, often referred to as check disk, is used to identify and correct certain hard drive errors.
Chkntfs The chkntfs command is used to configure or display the checking of the disk drive during the Windows boot process.
Choice The choice command is used within a script or batch program to provide a list of choices and return the value of that choice to the program.
Cipher The cipher command shows or changes the encryption status of files and folders on NTFS partitions.
Clip The clip command is used to redirect the output from any command to the clipboard in Windows.
Cls The cls command clears the screen of all previously entered commands and other text.
Cmd The cmd command starts a new instance of the cmd.exe command interpreter.
Cmdkey The cmdkey command is used to show, create, and remove stored user names and passwords.
Cmstp The cmstp command installs or uninstalls a Connection Manager service profile.
Color The color command is used to change the colors of the text and background within the Command Prompt window.
Command The command command starts a new instance of the command.com command interpreter. The command command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Comp The comp command is used to compare the contents of two files or sets of files.
Compact The compact command is used to show or change the compression state of files and directories on NTFS partitions.
Convert The convert command is used to convert FAT or FAT32 formatted volumes to the NTFS format.
Copy The copy command does simply that - it copies one or more files from one location to another. The xcopy command is considered to be a more "powerful" version of the copy command.
Cscript The cscript command is used to execute scripts via Microsoft Script Host. The cscript command is most popularly used to manage printers from the command line using scripts like prncnfg.vbs, prndrvr.vbs, prnmngr.vbs, and others.
Date The date command is used to show or change the current date.
Debug The debug command starts Debug, a command line application used to test and edit programs. The debug command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Defrag The defrag command is used to defragment a drive you specify. The defrag command is the command line version of Microsoft's Disk Defragmenter.
Del The del command is used to delete one or more files. The del command is the same as the erase command.
Diantz The diantz command is used to losslessly compress one or more files. The diantz command is sometimes called Cabinet Maker. The diantz command is the same as the makecab command.
Dir The dir command is used to display a list of files and folders contained inside the folder that you are currently working in. The dir command also displays other important information like the hard drive's serial number, the total number of files listed, their combined size, the total amount of free space left on the drive, and more.
Diskcomp The diskcomp command is used to compare the contents of two floppy disks.
Diskcopy The diskcopy command is used to copy the entire contents of one floppy disk to another.
Diskpart The diskpart command is used to create, manage, and delete hard drive partitions.
Diskperf The diskperf command is used to manage disk performance counters remotely.
Diskraid The diskraid command starts the DiskRAID tool which is used to manage and configure RAID arrays.
Dism The dism command starts the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM). The DISM tool is used to manage features in Windows images.
Dispdiag The dispdiag command is used to output a log of information about the display system.
Djoin The djoin command is used to create a new computer account in a domain.
Doskey The doskey command is used to edit command lines, create macros, and recall previously entered commands.
Dosx The dosx command is used to start DOS Protected Mode Interface (DPMI), a special mode designed to give MS-DOS applications access to more than the normally allowed 640 KB. The dosx command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8. The dosx command and DPMI is only available in Windows 8 to support older MS-DOS programs.
Driverquery The driverquery command is used to show a list of all installed drivers.
Echo The echo command is used to show messages, most commonly from within script or batch files. The echo command can also be used to turn the echoing feature on or off.
Edit The edit command starts the MS-DOS Editor tool which is used to create and modify text files. The edit command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Edlin The edlin command starts the Edlin tool which is used to create and modify text files from the command line. The edlin command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Endlocal The endlocal command is used to end the localization of environment changes inside a batch or script file.
Erase The erase command is used to delete one or more files. The erase command is the same as the del command.
Esentutl The esentutl command is used to manage Extensible Storage Engine databases.
Eventcreate The eventcreate command is used to create a custom event in an event log.
Exe2bin The exe2bin command is used to convert a file of the EXE file type (executable file) to a binary file. The exe2bin command is not available in any 64-bit version of Windows 8.
Exit The exit command is used to end the cmd.exe (Windows) or command.com (MS-DOS) session that you're currently working in.
Expand The expand command is used to extract the files and folders contained in Microsoft Cabinet (CAB) files.
Fastopen The fastopen command is used to add a program's hard drive location to a special list stored in memory, potentially improving the program's launch time by removing the need for MS-DOS to locate the application on the drive. The fastopen command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8. Fastopen is only available in Windows 8 to support older MS-DOS files.
Fc The fc command is used to compare two individual or sets of files and then show the differences between them.
Find The find command is used to search for a specified text string in one or more files.
Findstr The findstr command is used to find text string patterns in one or more files.
Finger The finger command is used to return information about one or more users on a remote computer that's running the Finger service.
Fltmc The fltmc command is used to load, unload, list, and otherwise manage Filter drivers.
Fondue The fondue command, short for Features on Demand User Experience Tool, is used to install any of the several optional Windows 8 features from the command line. Optional Windows 8 features can also be installed from the Programs and Features applet in Control Panel.
For The for command is used to run a specified command for each file in a set of files. The for command is most often used within a batch or script file.
Forfiles The forfiles command selects one or more files to execute a specified command on. The forfiles command is most often used within a batch or script file.
Format The format command is used to format a drive in the file system that you specify. Drive formatting is also available from Disk Management.
Fsutil The fsutil command is used to perform various FAT and NTFS file system tasks like managing reparse points and sparse files, dismounting a volume, and extending a volume.
Ftp The ftp command can used to transfer files to and from another computer. The remote computer must be operating as an FTP server.
Ftype The ftype command is used to define a default program to open a specified file type.
Getmac The getmac command is used to display the media access control (MAC) address of all the network controllers on a system.
Goto The goto command is used in a batch or script file to direct the command process to a labeled line in the script.
Gpresult The gpresult command is used to display Group Policy settings.
Gpupdate The gpupdate command is used to update Group Policy settings.
Graftabl The graftabl command is used to enable the ability of Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode. The graftabl command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Graphics The graphics command is used to load a program that can print graphics. The graphics command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Help The help command provides more detailed information on any of the other Command Prompt or MS-DOS commands.
Hostname The hostname command displays the name of the current host.
Hwrcomp The hwrcomp command is used to compile custom dictionaries for handwriting recognition.
Hwrreg The hwrreg command is used to install a previously compiled custom dictionary for handwriting recognition.
Icacls The icacls command is used to display or change access control lists of files. The icacls command is an updated version of the cacls command.
If The if command is used to perform conditional functions in a batch file.
Ipconfig The ipconfig command is used to display detailed IP information for each network adapter utilizing TCP/IP. The ipconfig command can also be used to release and renew IP addresses on systems configured to receive them via a DHCP server.
Irftp The irftp command is used to transmit files over an infrared link.
Iscsicli The iscsicli command starts the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator, used to manage iSCSI.
Kb16 The kb16 command is used to support MS-DOS files that need to configure a keyboard for a specific language. The kb16 command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8. The kb16 command only exists to support older MS-DOS files.
Klist The klist command is used to list Kerberos service tickets. The klist command can also be used to purge Kerberos tickets.
Ksetup The ksetup command is used to configure connections to a Kerberos server.
Ktmutil The ktmutil command starts the Kernel Transaction Manager utility.
Label The label command is used to manage the volume label of a disk.
Licensingdiag The licensingdiag command is a tool used to generate a text-based log and other data files that contain product activation and other Windows licensing information.
Loadfix The loadfix command is used to load the specified program in the first 64K of memory and then runs the program. The loadfix command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Lodctr The lodctr command is used to update registry values related to performance counters.
Logman The logman command is used to create and manage Event Trace Session and Performance logs. The logman command also supports many functions of Performance Monitor.
Logoff The logoff command is used to terminate a session.
Lpq The lpq command displays the status of a print queue on a computer running Line Printer Daemon (LPD). The lpq command is not available by default in Windows 8 but can be enabled by turning on the LPD Print Service and LPR Port Monitor features from Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Lpr The lpr command is used to send a file to a computer running Line Printer Daemon (LPD). The lpr command is not available by default in Windows 8 but can be enabled by turning on the LPD Print Service and LPR Port Monitor features from Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Makecab The makecab command is used to losslessly compress one or more files. The makecab command is sometimes called Cabinet Maker. The makecab command is the same as the diantz command.
Manage-bde The manage-bde command is used to configure BitLocker Drive Encryption from the command line.
Md The md command is the shorthand version of the mkdir command.
Mem The mem command shows information about used and free memory areas and programs that are currently loaded into memory in the MS-DOS subsystem. The mem command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Mkdir The mkdir command is used to create a new folder.
Mklink The mklink command is used to create a symbolic link.
Mode The mode command is used to configure system devices, most often COM and LPT ports.
More The more command is used to display the information contained in a text file. The more command can also be used to paginate the results of any other Command Prompt or MS-DOS command.
Mountvol The mountvol command is used to display, create, or remove volume mount points.
Move The move command is used to move one or files from one folder to another. The move command is also used to rename directories.
Mrinfo The mrinfo command is used to provide information about a router's interfaces and neighbors.
Msg The msg command is used to send a message to a user.
Msiexec The msiexec command is used to start Windows Installer, a tool used to install and configure software.
Muiunattend The muiunattend command starts the Multilanguage User Interface unattended setup process.
Nbtstat The nbtstat command is used to show TCP/IP information and other statistical information about a remote computer.
Net The net command is used to display, configure, and correct a wide variety of network settings.
Net1 The net1 command is used to display, configure, and correct a wide variety of network settings. The net command should be used instead of the net1 command. The net1 command was made available in Windows NT and Windows 2000 as a temporary fix for a Y2K issue that the net command had, which was corrected before the release of Windows XP. The net1 command remains in later versions of Windows only for compatibility with older programs and scripts that utilized the command.
Netcfg The netcfg command is used to install the Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE), a lightweight version of Windows used to deploy workstations.
Netsh The netsh command is used to start Network Shell, a command-line utility used to manage the network configuration of the local, or a remote, computer.
Netstat The netstat command is most commonly used to display all open network connections and listening ports.
Nlsfunc The nlsfunc command is used to load information specific to a particular country or region. The nlsfunc command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8. Nlsfunc is only available in Windows 8 to support older MS-DOS files.
Nltest The nltest command is used to test secure channels between Windows computers in a domain and between domain controllers that are trusting other domains.
Nslookup The nslookup is most commonly used to display the hostname of an entered IP address. The nslookup command queries your configured DNS server to discover the IP address.
Ocsetup The ocsetup command starts the Windows Optional Component Setup tool, used to install additional Windows features.
Openfiles The openfiles command is used to display and disconnect open files and folders on a system.
Path The path command is used to display or set a specific path available to executable files.
Pathping The pathping command functions much like the tracert command but will also report information about network latency and loss at each hop.
Pause The pause command is used within a batch or script file to pause the processing of the file. When the pause command is used, a "Press any key to continue…" message displays in the command window.
Ping The ping command sends an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request message to a specified remote computer to verify IP-level connectivity.
Pkgmgr The pkgmgr command is used to start the Windows Package Manager from the Command Prompt. Package Manager installs, uninstalls, configures, and updates features and packages for Windows.
Pnpunattend The pnpunattend command is used to automate the installation of hardware device drivers.
Pnputil The pnputil command is used to start the Microsoft PnP Utility, a tool used to install a Plug and Play device from the command line.
Popd The popd command is used to change the current directory to the one most recently stored by the pushd command. The popd command is most often utilized from within a batch or script file.
Powercfg The powercfg command is used to manage the Windows power management settings from the command line.
Print The print command is used to print a specified text file to a specified printing device.
Prompt The prompt command is used to customize the appearance of the prompt text in Command Prompt or MS-DOS.
Pushd The pushd command is used to store a directory for use, most commonly from within a batch or script program.
Pwlauncher The pwlauncher command is used to enable, disable, or show the status of your Windows To Go startup options.
Qappsrv The qappsrv command is used to display all Remote Desktop Session Host servers available on the network.
Qprocess The qprocess command is used to display information about running processes.
Query The query command is used to display the status of a specified service.
Quser The quser command is used to display information about users currently logged on to the system.
Qwinsta The qwinsta command is used to display information about open Remote Desktop Sessions.
Rasautou The rasautou command is used to manage Remote Access Dialer AutoDial addresses.
Rasdial The rasdial command is used to start or end a network connection for a Microsoft client.
Rd The rd command is the shorthand version of the rmdir command.
Reagentc The reagentc command is used to configure the Windows Recovery Environment (RE).
Recover The recover command is used to recover readable data from a bad or defective disk.
Reg The reg command is used to manage the Windows Registry from the command line. The reg command can perform common registry functions like adding registry keys, exporting the registry, etc.
Regini The regini command is used to set or change registry permissions and registry values from the command line.
Register-cimprovider The register-cimprovider command is used to register a Common Information Model (CIM) Provider in Windows 8.
Regsvr32 The regsvr32 command is used to register a DLL file as a command component in the Windows Registry.
Relog The relog command is used to create new performance logs from data in existing performance logs.
Rem The rem command is used to record comments or remarks in a batch or script file.
Ren The ren command is the shorthand version of the rename command.
Rename The rename command is used to change the name of the individual file that you specify.
Repair-bde The repair-bde command is used to repair or decrypt a damaged drive that's been encrypted using BitLocker.
Replace The replace command is used to replace one or more files with one or more other files.
Reset The reset command, executed as reset session, is used to reset the session subsystem software and hardware to known initial values.
Rmdir The rmdir command is used to delete an existing or completely empty folder.
Robocopy The robocopy command is used to copy files and directories from one location to another. This command is also called Robust File Copy. The robocopy command is superior to the both the copy command and the xcopy command because robocopy supports many more options.
Route The route command is used to manipulate network routing tables.
Rpcping The rpcping command is used to ping a server using RPC.
Runas The runas command is used to execute a program using another user's credentials.
Rwinsta The rwinsta command is the shorthand version of the reset session command.
Sc The sc command is used to configure information about services. The sc command communicates with the Service Control Manager.
Schtasks The schtasks command is used to schedule specified programs or commands to run a certain times. The schtasks command can be used to create, delete, query, change, run, and end scheduled tasks.
Sdbinst The sdbinst command is used to deploy customized SDB database files.
Secedit The secedit command is used to configure and analyze system security by comparing the current security configuration to a template.
Set The set command is used to display, enable, or disable environment variables in MS-DOS or from the Command Prompt.
Setlocal The setlocal command is used to start the localization of environment changes inside a batch or script file.
Setspn The setspn command is used to manage the Service Principal Names (SPN) for an Active Directory (AD) service account.
Setver The setver command is used to set the MS-DOS version number that MS-DOS reports to a program. The setver command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
Setx The setx command is used to create or change environment variables in the user environment or the system environment.
Sfc The sfc command is used to verify and replace important Windows system files. The sfc command is also referred to as System File Checker or Windows Resource Checker depending on the operating system.
Share The share command is used to install file locking and file sharing functions in MS-DOS. The share command is not available in 64-bit versions of Windows 8. Share is only available in Windows 8 to support older MS-DOS files.
Shift The shift command is used to change the position of replaceable parameters in a batch or script file.
Shutdown The shutdown command can be used to shut down, restart, or log off the current system or a remote computer.
Sort The sort command is used to read data from a specified input, sort that data, and return the results of that sort to the Command Prompt screen, a file, or another output device.
Start The start command is used to open a new command line window to run a specified program or command. The start command can also be used to start an application without creating a new window.
Subst The subst command is used to associate a local path with a drive letter. The subst command is a lot like the net use command except a local path is used instead of a shared network path.
Sxstrace The sxstrace command is used to start the WinSxs Tracing Utility, a programming diagnostic tool.
Systeminfo The systeminfo command is used to display basic Windows configuration information for the local or a remote computer.
Takeown The takedown command is used to regain access to a file that that an administrator was denied access to when reassigning ownership of the file.
Taskkill The taskkill command is used to terminate a running task. The taskkill command is the command line equivalent of ending a process in Task Manager in Windows.
Tasklist Displays a list of applications, services, and the Process ID (PID) currently running on either a local or a remote computer.
Tcmsetup The tcmsetup command is used to setup or disable the Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) client.
Telnet The telnet command is used to communicate with remote computers that use the Telnet protocol. The telnet command is not available by default in Windows 8 but can be enabled by turning on the Telnet Client Windows feature from Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Tftp The tftp command is used to transfer files to and from a remote computer that's running the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) service or daemon. The tftp command is not available by default in Windows 8 but can be enabled by turning on the TFTP Client Windows feature from Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Time The time command is used to show or change the current time.
Timeout The timeout command is typically used in a batch or script file to provide a specified timeout value during a procedure. The timeout command can also be used to ignore keypresses.
Title The title command is used to set the Command Prompt window title.
Tlntadmn The tlntadmn command is used to administer a local or remote computer running Telnet Server. The tlntadmn command is not available by default in Windows 8 but can be enabled by turning on the Telnet Server Windows feature from Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Tpmvscmgr The tpmvscmgr command is used to create and destroy TPM virtual smart cards.
Tracerpt The tracerpt command is used to process event trace logs or real-time data from instrumented event trace providers.
Tracert The tracert command sends Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to a specified remote computer with increasing Time to Live (TTL) field values and displays the IP address and hostname, if available, of the router interfaces between the source and destination.
Tree The tree command is used to graphically display the folder structure of a specified drive or path.
Tscon The tscon command is used to attach a user session to a Remote Desktop session.
Tsdiscon The tsdiscon command is used to disconnect a Remote Desktop session.
Tskill The tskill command is used to end the specified process.
Type The type command is used to display the information contained in a text file.
Typeperf The typerperf command displays performance data in the Command Prompt window or writes the data to specified log file.
Tzutil The tzutil command is used to display or configure the current system's time zone. The tzutil command can also be used to enable or disable Daylight Saving Time adjustments.
Unlodctr The unlodctr command removes Explain text and Performance counter names for a service or device driver from the Windows Registry.
Vaultcmd The vaultcmd command is used to create, remove, and show stored credentials.
Ver The ver command is used to display the current Windows or MS-DOS version number.
Verify The verify command is used to enable or disable the ability of Command Prompt, or MS-DOS, to verify that files are written correctly to a disk.
Vol The vol command shows the volume label and serial number of a specified disk, assuming this information exists.
Vssadmin The vssadmin command starts the Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command line tool which displays current volume shadow copy backups and all installed shadow copy writers and providers.
W32tm The w32tm command is used to diagnose issues with Windows Time.
Waitfor The waitfor command is used to send or wait for a signal on a system.
Wbadmin The wbadmin command is used start and stop backup jobs, display details about a previous backup, list the items within a backup, and report on the status of a currently running backup.
Wecutil The wecutil command is used to mange subscriptions to events that are forwarded from WS-Management supported computers.
Wevtutil The wevtutil command starts the Windows Events Command Line Utility which is used to manage event logs and publishers.
Where The where command is used to search for files that match a specified pattern.
Whoami The whoami command is used to retrieve user name and group information on a network.
Winrm The winrm command is used to start the command line version of Windows Remote Management, used to manage secure communications with local and remote computers using web services.
Winrs The winrs command is used to open a secure command window with a remote host.
Winsat The winsat command starts the Windows System Assessment Tool, a program that assesses various features, attributes, and capabilities of a computer running Windows.
Wmic The wmic command starts the Windows Management Instrumentation Command line (WMIC), a scripting interface that simplifies the use of Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and systems managed via WMI.
Wsmanhttpconfig The wsmanhttpconfig command is used to manage aspects of the Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service.
Xcopy The xcopy command can copy one or more files or directory trees from one location to another. The xcopy command is generally considered a more "powerful" version of the copy command though the robocopy command trumps even xcopy. A command by the name of xcopy32 existed in Windows 95 and Windows 98. To avoid a long and confusing explanation here, just know that no matter if you executed the xcopy command or the xcopy32 command, you were always executing the most updated version of the command.
Xwizard The xwizard command, short for Extensible Wizard, is used to register data in Windows, often from a preconfigured XML file.
Was this page helpful?