Command Prompt in Windows 11 is a powerful tool that allows people to perform many actions using text-based commands. Learning a few key keyboard shortcuts can make you more efficient when using Command Prompt, even if it seems difficult at first. These shortcuts make it easier to move files, perform tasks, and organize. Knowing these shortcuts can help you get more done and save time when working in a command-line environment.
Enter Command Prompt
You need to open Command Prompt before you can use it. To do this quickly, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, then type cmd and press Enter. You can also go to the Start menu, type “Command Prompt” and select it from the list that appears. It can also be accessed directly from Windows Terminal if you prefer a more modern interface. To access Command Prompt, press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal from the menu that appears.
Move within a directory
There are many commands available for moving folders in the Command Prompt, but shortcuts can make the process faster. To move to a folder, press CD (Change Directory) and then Path to Folder. Use CD… to access the parent drive. You can also press the Tab key after typing the first few letters of the folder name. The path will be filled in automatically. This saves time and reduces errors.
Copy and paste commands
You can work faster by copying and moving text in the Command Prompt. Click the word you want to copy and press Ctrl + C. Right-click or press Ctrl + V to paste the text into the Command Prompt. You can quickly use the same command or script over and over again without having to type everything in manually. This makes it easier to perform complex tasks quickly.
Clear screen
If you are processing multiple orders, the Order Prompt window can become cluttered, making the output difficult to read. Simply type cls and press Enter to clear the screen. This command will remove all previous output and commands, leaving you with a clean slate. Keeping your desk clean and tidy will help you focus and find what you need faster.
Run the command with elevated privileges
Sometimes you need to run commands that only administrators can run. There is a command prompt window. To run it as administrator, right-click on it and select Run as administrator. The same happens if you press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin). When running a command with elevated privileges, make sure that you have the appropriate permissions to run the operation at the system level.
You can use the command history in the command prompt to retrieve the commands that have been run. This will save you time and energy. You can quickly re-run the order by pressing the up arrow without having to re-type the order. You can view a list of all the commands that have been run by typing doskey /history. This shows you the full history of commands for the session.
Modify Output
Command Prompt has a powerful tool called Redirect Output that lets you send the output of a command to a file instead of displaying it on the screen. To do this, use the > symbol followed by the file name. For example, typing dir > output.txt will save the directory listing to a file of the same name. The >> operator can also be used to append something to the current file. This feature is especially useful for logging results or tracking command output.
Get Help with Commands
If you’re unsure of a command’s syntax or options, you can immediately type the command followed by /?. For example, typing xcopy /? will give you a lot of information about the xcopy command, including its options and how to use them. This built-in help tool is great for learning new commands or reminding you how to use commands you already know.
Change the Command Prompt
You can change the appearance of your command prompt to make it easier to read. Hold down the title bar for a moment, then click Properties. Here you can change the appearance, font size, and color of the window. If you spend a lot of time at the command line, changing these settings can make your experience more comfortable and beautiful.
Use multiple commands
Sometimes you may want to run multiple programs on the same line. && or & can be used to separate commands. When && is used, the following even if you’ve used computers before, knowing and using these tools will help you get the most out of the Command Prompt and make your work easier. Once you know how to use these commands, the Command Prompt will become an important part of your computer toolkit because it makes it easy to move around and complete chores.