Win XP Command-line tools

To open Command Prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.

* at          Scheduling utility * bootcfg     This utility allows you to set up your boot options, such as your default OS and other loading options. * cacls       Changes the ACLs (security Settings) of files and folders. Very similar to chmod in Linux. * comp        This utility is very similar to diff in Linux. Use the /? switch to get examples of command usage. * contig      A great defrag utility for NTFS partitions. * control     Allows you to launch control panel applets from the command line. control userpasswords2, for example will launch a helpful local user admin utility. * defrag      disk defrag utility * diskpart    Use this command to manage your disk partitions. This is the text version for the GUI Disk Manager. * driverquery Produces a list of drivers, their properties, and their versions. Great for computer documentation. * fsutil      This is a utility with a lot of capability. * getmac      This command gets the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your network cards. * gpresult    This generates a summary of the user settings and computer group policy settings. * ipconfig    This handy tool displays IP settings of the current computer and much more. see HowTo/ChangeDNSsettingsInWindows * MMC         Microsoft Management Console. The master tool for Windows, it is the main interface in which all other tools use starting primarily in Windows 2000 and newer systems. * more        Utility used to display text output one screen at a time. Ex. more c:\windows\win.ini * msconfig    The ultimate tool to change the services and utilities that start when your Windows machine boots up. You can also copy the executable from XP and use it in Win2k. * msinfo32    diagnostic tool. With it you can get a list of running processes, including the residing path of the executable (great for manually removing malware). Get detailed information about hardware and system diagnostics. * narrator    Turns on the system narrator (can also be found in accessiblity options in control panel). Will allow your computer to dictate text to you. * netsh       A network configuration tool console. At the 'netsh>' prompt, use the '?' to list the available commands and type "exit" to get back to a command prompt. see HowTo/ChangeIpSettingsInWindows * openfiles   Allows an administrator to display or disconnect open files in XP pro. Type "openfiles /?" for a list of possible parameters. * Pathping    A cross between the ping and traceroute utilities. Type "pathping " and watch it go. * recover     This command can recover readable information from a damaged disk and is very easy to use. * reg         A console registry tool, great for scripting Registry edits. * sc          A command line utility called the Service Controller. A power tool to make service changes via a logon/logoff or startup/shutdown script. * schtasks    A newer version of the AT command. This allows an administrator to schedule and manage scheduled tasks on a local and remote machines. * secedit     Use this to manually apply computer and user policy from your win 2000 (or newer) domain. Example: to update the machine policy: secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce. To view help on this, just type secedit. NOTE: In Windows XP this command is superceded by: gpupdate /force * sfc         The system file checker scans important system files and replaces the ones you (or your applications) hacked beyond repair with the real, official Microsoft versions. * shutdown    shut down or restart your own computer, or an administrator can shut down or restart a remote computer. * sigverif    Microsoft has created a driver signatures. A signed driver is Microsot tested and approved. With the sigverif tool you can have all driver files analysed to verify that they are digitally signed. * systeminfo  Basic system configuration information, such as the system type, the processor type, time zone, virtual memory settings, system uptime, and much more. This program is great for creating an inventory of computers on your network. * sysedit     System Configuration File Editor. An old tool that was very handy for the Windows 9X days. msconfig is what you want to use now. * tasklist    (XP pro only) Tasklist is the command console equivalent to the task manager in windows. It is a must have when fighting scumware and viruses. Try the command: tasklist /svc to view the memory resources your services take up. see HowTo/ListProcessesInWindows * taskkill    Taskkill contains the rest of the task manager functionality. It allows you to kill those unneeded or locked up applications. see HowTo/KillProcessesInWindows * tree        This command will provide a 'family tree' style display of the drive/folder you specify. * WMIC        Windows Management Instrumentation Command tool. This allows you to pull an amazing amount of                low-level system information from a command line scripting interface.

Command-line reference A-Z at microsoft.com

Related: HowTo/MonitorOpenPortsInWindows, HowTo/TweakWindowsForSecurityAndPrivacy