Windows Commands

Overview

• Windows has built-in Win32 console commands.
• Documentation covers Windows Commands for task automation through scripts or scripting tools.

Command-Line Shells

• Command Shell
  • First shell in Windows.
  • Automates tasks with batch (.bat) files.
  • Supports sophisticated scripts using Windows Script Host.
• PowerShell
  • Designed to extend Command Shell capabilities.
  • Runs PowerShell commands (cmdlets) and Windows Commands.
  • PowerShell cmdlets offer a more extensible scripting language.
  • Recommended for modern Windows automation.

Error Codes and Redirection

• Reference for exit and error codes available in Debug system error codes.
• Command redirection operators use detailed in Using command redirection operators.

PowerShell Core

• Open-source version of PowerShell.
• Can be downloaded and installed separately.

File and Directory Name Completion

• Auto-completion configured by default with the tab key.
• Configurable via registry keys:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor\CompletionChar
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor\PathCompletionChar
• Caution advised when editing registry.
• Per instance enable/disable via cmd.exe with /F:ON or /F:OFF.
• Overrides: user settings > computer settings > command-line options > registry settings.

Command Lookup

• Commands are organized alphabetically.
• Specific command information is accessible via linked sections.

Examples of Commands

• A: active, add, add alias, add volume, adprep, append, arp, assign, assoc, at, atmadm, attach-vdisk, attrib, attributes.
• B: bcdboot, bcdedit, bdehdcfg, begin backup, bitsadmin
• C: cacls, call, cd, certreq, certutil, change, chcp, chdir, cls, cmd, cmdkey, comp, compact, convert, copy
• D: date, dcdiag, defrag, del, delete, detail, dir, diskcomp, diskcopy, diskpart
• E: echo, edit, endlocal, erase, eventcreate
• F: fc, find, findstr, finger, format, fsutil, ftp
• G: getmac, goto, gpresult
• H: help, hostname
• I: icacls, if, import, ipconfig
• J: jetpack
• K: klist, ksetup, ktmutil, ktpass
• L: label, lodctr, logman
• M: manage bde, mapadmin, md, mkdir
• N: nbtstat, netcfg, netdom, netsh, netstat, nslookup
• O: offline, online, openfiles
• P: path, pathping, pause, ping, powershell
• Q: qprocess, query, quser
• R: rd, recover, reg, ren, replace, reset
• S: sc config, schtasks, secedit, select, set, shutdown
• T: taskkill, telnet, time, tracert, tree, tskill
• U: unexpose, uniqueid
• V: ver, vol, vssadmin
• W: wbadmin, wdsutil, wecutil, wevtutil, where, whoami
• X: xcopy

Registry Warning

• Incorrect registry modifications can severely damage the system.
• Backup data before making changes.