Command Prompt Tips #1 - WindowsTips.net - Windows Tips and Tricks with Geek

Monday, June 21, 2021

Command Prompt Tips #1

Command Prompt is a powerful tool and its amazing tricks make it more useful. For a general user, Command Prompt and many of its commands seem boring but for anyone who has wisely used cmd commands very often; this tool has much more to fall in love. 


Therefore, in this article we will be showing you some known and unknown Command Prompt commands that you cannot miss to know.

Let’s have a look!

1. Command History

History can help us regain or memorise a cmd command that we have used in the past. To track down the command history use the following command:

Type: doskey/history

Command history

2. Run Multiple Commands

Do you want to run one after other commands? If it is, you can add your required commands to your collection of cmd hacks. What you need to do is, you have to mention ‘&&’ between each command and save your time. For instance, you want to run ‘ipconfig’ and ‘paint’ together using command prompt, you’ll use the following command:

Type: ipconfig && mspaint

Run Multiple Commands

3. Abort a Command

Do you want to abort any command you have recently made? Yes, any command can be stopped in its tracks using Ctrl+C. This is helpful when you have initiated a command line and you want to stop it. Remember, Ctrl+C keys are not a magic wand that can undo all the things, even the ones that are undoable. For instance, like Format command. But, abort command us an excellent Command line if you want to stop any command there and then.

Press Ctrl+C to abort command.

Command Prompt Keyboard Shortcuts

Tab: While typing a folder path, Tab key will auto-complete and 

cycle through directories.

Ctrl+M: Enables Mark Mode to move your cursor in directions 

with arrow keys.

Ctrl+C: To copy anything around the operating system.

Ctrl+V: To paste anything from around the operating system.

Ctrl+F: Search for text within the Command Prompt.

Ctrl+Shift+Scroll on your mouse: Increase/Decrease the

window transparency.

Alt+Enter:To enable full-screen mode with no title bar on the top. 

Also you can use F11 for the same.

4. PC Driver List

Command Prompt commands can be used to see all the drivers installed on your Windows PC. All you need to do is run the ‘driverquery’ command line and you‘re done. Once you type in the command and press Enter you will see a list of active drivers with name, type and other information.

Type: driverquery

PC Driver List

5. Use Function Keys To Be A Pro User

The function keys on your keyboard can do a lot more in the Command Prompt. It is one of the best kept and lesser known secrets about this tool. Here’s what these keys can do:

  • F1: Pastes the last executed command (character by character).
  • F2: Pastes the last executed command (up to the entered character).
  • F3: Pastes the last executed command.
  • F4: Deletes current prompt text up to the entered character.
  • F5: Pastes recently executed commands (does not cycle).
  • F6: Pastes an end-of-file-character Ctrl+Z at the insertion point.
  • F7: Displays a selectable list of previously executed commands.
  • F8: Pastes recently executed commands (cycles).
  • F9: Asks for the number of the command from the F7 list to paste.
  • Alt+F10: Deletes all macro definitions.

6. Save Output To Clipboard

Very often it happens that you need to save something out of a command and you usually follow the tactic of copy and paste. However, you can simply do it by entering a simple command. The command’s output can be sent to the Windows clipboard directly. Here’s how to save the output to clipboard:

Type: ipconfig | clip

7. Change The Color Of Command Prompt Window

You know, you can change the color of the Command Prompt window to make it more exciting and engaging. Shift from its black color and give it the color of your choice. Wondering how? Windows allows you to customize cmd window by changing its colors as per your requirements and make things more intriguing. To change the color:

  • Press Win+R to start Command Prompt.
  • Right-click on the title bar and click on Properties.

Change Color of Command Prompt Window

  • Click on the Colors Choose the background and text color, adjust transparency and that’s it.

Choose the background text color

  • Click OK to apply the changes.

8. Change The Title Of The Command Prompt Window

When you launch Command Prompt, you see the title bar reads Command Prompt or Administrator Command Prompt. If you want, you can change the name of the cmd window you open. This makes it convenient for you to work on multiple command line windows at a time. You can name each one of them separately and manage them accordingly. Yes, you can change the Command Prompt window name using amazing command line tricks. To change the title:

  • Open Command Prompt and type ‘title’.
  • Enter the name of the ‘Title Bar’ you want to see.
  • Hit Enter and you’ll see the title of the cmd window is changed according to the text you’ve entered.

Change the title of command prompt windows

  • The title of the cmd window is temporary. It is limited until you exit the Command Prompt

9. Create WiFi Hotspot

Do you know, you can create a WiFi hotspot directly from your Command Line. To execute this, you need to first make changes to some settings like-

  • Go to Control Panel > Change Adapter Settings under Network and Sharing Option.
  • Then, click on the Connection you’re using and click Properties.
  • Locate the sharing tab and check the option ‘Allow other networks to connect through this computer’s internet connection’.

Open Command Prompt with administrator account and enter the following command:

Type in: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Yourhotspotname key=yourpassword

Open Cmd Prompt by Administrator account

Once enabled, enter netsh wlan start hostednetwork to start the WiFi hotspot. To stop it, type in netsh wlan stop hostednetwork“.

10. Scan Systems For Any File Problems

Command Prompt also gives you an accessibility to check for any problems in the files stored on your Windows PC. For instance, you can check for any missing or corrupted files using this command and also fix them. To scan system using cmd commands:

Type in: sfc /scannow

Scan System


Check The Second Part:

Click Here: Command Prompt Tips #2

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