In other 2024 , Microsoft replaced the long - fend Command Prompt applications programme with a newer Terminal app . This is a host app for statement - stemma interfaces like Command Prompt , Powershell , and bash , giving you accession to a range of commands for Windows that were antecedently segment into unlike apps . you could still use all the same Command Prompt require you know and love , but can now also enjoy tabbed window , GPU accelerated text tendering , and the ability to customize windowpane themes .
If you bed your way around Command Prompt already , you ’ll know most of what you postulate to use Terminal . But there are some new bakshis and tricks you might want to count over . Whether you ’re a beginner with these kind of apps , or a well - poetise professional , here ’s how to use Terminal in Windows 11 .
How to access Terminal in Windows 11
There are a circle of unlike slipway to get at the Terminal , but the most straightforward is to employ the Windows hunting to look for “ Terminal , ” and then pick out the comparable result .
Some commands wo n’t run in Terminal without the appropriate permissions , so if you pass into difficulty , prove rightfield - clicking on the Terminal icon and selectingRun as Administratorinstead .
How to use Terminal
As with the cured Command Prompt and Powershell applications , to input commands into Terminal , you ’ll want to type them out in a specific order with correct spacing and particular case usage . If you ’ve ever done any programing , it ’ll feel a little familiar . You input the command with right spelling , phrase structure , and context , and you ’ll get the event you need . If you do n’t do all that right , it wo n’t do anything but let you know you did something incorrect .
you could use Command Prompt or Powershell commands in Terminal . you could find a listing of the most useful commands below , but let ’s first cover launch the right kind of tab for the sort of statement you want to run , and adjust some of Terminal ’s scope .
Opening a new tab in Terminal
To open up a new check in Terminal , you’re able to pressCtrl+Shift+Tto open a new tab of the same type you have open already . instead , select the+symbol .
If you desire to spread out a specific type of Terminal tab , select the fall - down pointer next to the + icon , then choose the type of lozenge you want .
Important settings
you’re able to access Terminal ’s setting by selecting the dip - down pointer at the top of the window , followed bySettings . There you ’ll happen a range of options you might want to fine-tune to customise your Terminal experience . Here are some of the choice to consider :
The most useful commands
You do n’t need to knowall of the Command Prompt commandsto find some purpose in it . These are our favorites and some of the ones we consider the most useful .
Note : Finding it hard to commemorate mastery ? sample using Terminal ’s new Command Palette . Just pressCtrl+Shift+Pand you ’ll get a ready to hand list of clickable shortcuts to all the most bid commands . you may even narrow them down by type in the first few letter of the alphabet .
Help — Arguably the most significant of all Command Prompt commands , typing “ assistant ” will give you a list of usable commands . If you do n’t learn anything else from this guide , make love that “ help ” is only four poor letters away if you ever fall down a CMD rabbit cakehole .
“ command ” / ? — While it requires you to input a command in the quoted section ( without the quotation scar ) , this one will secern you everything you necessitate to know about any of the command on this inclination . It ’s outstanding to use if you need more detailed entropy about what the mastery do and to see deterrent example of how they act upon .
TRACERT — Should you require to track your PC ’s internet traffic , this command lets you track the act of intermediate host your packets go through , the time each transfer requires , and the name or IP address of each server .
IPConfig — If you have networking issues , IPConfig will be very utilitarian for all sorts of reasons . Running it tells you a lot about your personal computer and your local connection , let in the IP address of your router , the system you ’re using at the time , and the State Department of your various net connections .
Ping — demand to confirm whether your internet is officially down or if a software problem is causing an issue ? Ping something . It does n’t weigh whether it ’s Google.com or your own personal outside server . Whatever you choose , if you get a response , you know a connexion is there . This command is also useful for checking if local connection system are functioning properly .
Chkdsk — Check Disk , written as “ Chkdsk , ” wait at your choose cause for errors . Although there are wad of Windows and third - company tools for checking a drive for errors , Check Disk is a classic that works well and could save you from recede information if it finds a job ahead of time enough .
SFC — myopic for System File Checker , the program line “ SFC /scannow ” will scan through all of the Windows system files to look for any error and indemnify them if it can . Warning : This one can take some fourth dimension .
Cls — Command Prompt command results might be useful , but they are n’t the most well - organized or leisurely to read . If the screen door is getting too full , just character “ Cls ” and strike enter to pass it .
Dir — If you ’re using the Command Prompt to pasture your file system , the “ Dir ” program line will display all file and folder within the current folder . you’re able to also add up an /S and utilize it as a hunting when you want to find something specific .
Netstat — This command expose all variety of information about be connection to your microcomputer , admit TCP connections , ports on which your system is mind , Ethernet statistics , and the IPRouting table .
release — This does exactly what you would expect it to do . Do n’t require to progress to for the mouse or ca n’t seem to click that “ X ” in the top - right recession ? Just type “ exit ” and hit enter to leave the Command Prompt behind .
Tasklist — Tasklist yield you immediate data point on all the undertaking that Windows is presently operating . you could add switch ( such as “ -m ” ) to dig down into more detail about these tasks and how they work , which is very utile for diagnose any potential problems . It ’s no surprisal that this is often follow up by the “ Taskkill ” command , which is used to force specific tasks to terminate .
Shutdown — Althoughyou do n’t necessarily need to shut down your Windows 10 or 11 PCat Nox , you’re able to do it through the Command Prompt and Start Menu . Just typecast “ shutdown ” and hit enter , and your PC will put itself to bed .
Lesser-known but still worthwhile commands
Not all of the Command Prompt commands are ones you ’ll require to use on a regular basis , but that does n’t intend there are n’t some handy social function among the less common ones . These are some of our favorites that often fly under the microwave radar .
Ipconfig /flushdns — This is an extension of the IPConfig command , and it ’s utile when you ’re guide into bizarre web or connection issues or change your DNS server . This one will often clear up any problems you have . This clears the Windows memory cache of DNS details , meaning that Windows will start out using your favourite option instead .
Assoc — This command is used to regard and alter data file associations , meaning the type of file , like .txt , .doc , etc . Typing “ assoc [ .ext ] ” — where ext is the single file type in question — will severalise you what it digest for , and “ .txt ” will tell you that it ’s a text file . If you want to change that , you could type something like “ assoc .log = txtfile ” and all .log file will then be moot schoolbook file .
Note : This is a hefty dictation and should be used with caveat . CommandWindowshas a elaborate scout on its more advanced function .
Cipher — Cipher can be used to view and modify encryption information for your system ’s files and folders . calculate on the extra parameters applied , you could have it encipher file to protect them from pry heart , create new encryption key , and seek for be encrypted files . For the full list of parameter , Microsoft ’s breakdownis comprehensive .
finger’s breadth — Finger is used to call for information about user on the computer or a connected outside computer . It ’s often used to see what a specific user is doing or where they are , digitally utter . It can be used with a specific computer or an IP destination .
Deltree — Deltree is used to peg down a special Indian file or directory path and cancel it entirely , removing everything that used to be at that location . This can be a dangerous command for newcomers to use , so do so with caution , but it ’s utile for drug user who want to get rid of information quickly .
Telnet — Telnetis not commonly used for access modern machine remotely , but some still require frame-up through the Terminal internet ( Telnet ) protocol . It ’s not trigger off in Windows 10 or 11 by default , so to utilise it , you ’ll involve to turn it on . start up by going to the Windows search bar at the bottom of the screen and typecast in “ Telnet . ” Windows is impertinent enough to advise the veracious localisation . SelectTurn Windows Features On or Offto start the window .
Scroll down until you findTelnet Client . Things are more or less in alphabetic ordering , which can facilitate you find it . When you see it , ensure the box beside it is checked , then selectOK . Windows will explore for the necessary files and activate the software , then let you know you postulate to boot to complete the change . Do this and start back up !
Once enabled , Telnet can let you access remote devices or servers , though carry in nous it is completely unencrypted ( ahacker ’s dream ) . Commands will be very situation - specific but will look something like “ telnet DigitalTrends.com 80 , ” which would have you aim to access to DigitalTrends.com on the 80 port . It wo n’t ferment , but that ’s what a distinctive control might look like .
& — This command will let you endure two command at once . All you need do is put “ & ” between them , and both will execute at the same time .
| clip — Putting this command after your original command will copy the output directly to your clipboard . Say you want to imitate down your IPConfig information — all you ’d need to input is “ ipconfig | clip ” and the result will be added to your clipboard , so you may paste them anywhere you wish .
you’re able to alsocopy and pastein a similar mode to the main Windows interface .
nslookup — need to find the IP name and address of any website ? This instruction will do it for you . plainly type “ nslookup ” follow by the URL in question , and the Command Prompt will spit out an IP savoir-faire .
A few additional tricks
Although the above commands are the most useful when using the Command Prompt , there ’s more you could do . In learning how to employ the Command Prompt , it ’s also good to note these handy tricks .
Function identify — Although not so commonly used in modern software , the Function ( F ) cay can do quite a lot in a Command Prompt scene :
Driverquery — If you ever wish to see a comprehensive list of all the drivers presently run on your microcomputer , typecast “ driverquery ” into the Command Prompt is a great fashion to do it .
Compare files — you’re able to conveniently compare a listing of differences between similar versions of a file using a childlike cutoff through CMD ’s Compare File feature film . To give it a endeavour , type “ FC , ” the two filename localisation , and the drive letter . It could look like this : “ fc C : UsersTestDesktoptest.txt vitamin C : UsersTestDesktoptest2.txt ” .
How to access Command Prompt in Windows 10
window 10 does n’t have Terminal , but you could still reach the Command Prompt easily enough to use many of the same command listed above .
look for for “ CMD ” in Windows hunting , and select the Command Prompt program program . or else , if you necessitate high - level permissions , right - click it and selectRun as Administrator .
