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Windows 8.1 FAQ |
1. How do I type in commands rather than use Explorer?
Windows 8 comes with a command prompt. You can access it by pressing Ctrl+X and select Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can access it via Ctrl+R and enter cmd.exe.
The current directory is displayed followed by a flashing underline cursor. To exit this window, type exit or click on the X on top right of the window.
2. What commands are available to use with Windows 8.1?
Many of the commands are similar to the ones from the old MS-DOS days. Commands can be run from the current directory or those listed in the command path. The command path can be viewed by typing Path and can be edited via the System Control Panel, Advanced, Environmental Variables. Most commands are available in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. To view the parameters of the command you can type either Help <command> or <command> /? (slash, question mark). Commands can be combined using the pipe (|) character e.g. Type file | More.
| File System Commands | Purpose |
| append <dir> | Add directory to data path when opening files |
| attrib <file> <attribs> | Set or display attribute flags of file(s) |
| cd <directory> | Change directory. To change drive just enter name of drive letter followed by a colon e.g. C: |
| copy <source> <dest> | Copy one or more files (the ? and * wildcards can be used to select files) |
| del <files> | Delete one or more files |
| erase <files> | Erases one or more files |
| md <directory> | Make or create a directory |
| rd <directory> | Remove or delete a directory |
| ren <orig> <new> | Rename file(s) |
| move <source> <dest> | Move file(s) to another folder or drive |
| type <file> | Display contents of a text file |
| more < file | Display contents of a file a screen at a time |
| edit <file> | Change contents of a file |
| find "string" <file(s)> | Search for string in a file |
| comp <file1> <file2> | Compare two files |
| compact <file> | Compact or compress a file |
| cipher | Set or display encryption settings for folders |
| chkdsk | Check disk for errors |
| convert | Convert filesystem to another filesystem e.g. NTFS |
| defrag | Defragment a filesystem |
| diskpart | Disk Partitioning program |
| edlin <file> | Line editor (use ? for help) |
| expand <file> | Expands a compressed file |
| takeown | Take ownership of files or folders |
| Other Commands | Purpose |
| mode | Settings for serial and parallel ports in DOS mode |
| print <file> | Print file to LPT1 or other device |
| at | Set up scheduled tasks |
| arp | Settings for Address Resolution protocol |
| bootcfg | Set or display boot configuration (boot.ini) |
| cacls | Set or display NTFS permissions |
| chcp <n> | Change code page |
| cmd | Open a command window (see above) |
| convlog | Convert IIS log files |
| cscript <file> | Run a VB or other script |
| debug | Debug programs |
| diskperf | Enable or disable disk performance counters |
| doskey | DOS command history utility |
| driverquery | Display installed drivers |
| eventcreate | Utility to create events in the event log |
| eventtriggers | Utility to create event triggers |
| exe2bin | Converts executable files to binary format |
| extract /c <file> | Extract files from a cabinet (CAB) file |
| control <cpl file> | Load a control panel |
| dxdiag | DirectX Diagnostics |
| sfc | System File Check (check for missing or corrupt system files) |
| bcdedit | Change boot configuration |
| bitsadmin | BITS (Background intelligent transfer service) Administration |
| cmdkey | Administers stored credentials |
| choice | Choose between different options |
| dvdplay | Play a DVD using Windows Media Player |
| ftp | File Transfer protocol |
| getmac | Get machine's physical address for network card |
| hostname | Display PC's hostname |
| mountvol | Mount volumes |
| openfiles | Displays or disconnects open files |
| recimg | Recovery image settings |
| regantc | Windows Recovery environment |
| robocopy | Robust file copy |
| rundll32 | Run functions from within dynamic link libraries (DLLs) |
| syskey | Secure user accounts with more encryption |
| sc | Service Control manager |
| shutdown | Shutdown, restart or logout from PC |
| taskkill | Kill tasks |
| UnattendedJoin | Unattended join to a domain |
| PnPUtil | Plug and Play Utility (install drivers) |
| RpcPing | Remote Procedure Call ping tool |
| powershell | Load powershell |
3. Where can I add more commands to my Windows 8.1 system?
You can add tools from the Sysinternals tools to manage files and folders, processes, security, networking and system information.
4. How do I change the colours for the command prompt?
Open a command window, select the top left of the window for a pop up menu to appear and select Properties. Select Screen text and select a colour (green is a popular colour), then select Screen Background and select another colour.
5. How do I change the command prompt text?
By default, the command prompt is the current path followed by an arrow e.g. C:\Windows> which is set by the command prompt $P$G. You can change it to a Unix type prompt using Prompt $$ or Prompt $P$G or something more exotic like Prompt $D$T$G which display date and time. For other options type Prompt /?.
6. Where can I find other command line tools?
If you want an old BASIC interpreter try GWBasic, or QBasic.
For a full search utility try unix's Grep for Windows.
For counting words, lines and sentences try WC for Windows.
For displaying the end part of file, try Tail for Windows.
7. Is there a more advanced shell for Windows?
Yes, Windows 8 includes new a shell called Powershell which uses the .NET Framework APIs to provide powerful commands to manipulate everything from disks, files, folders, user and group accounts, services, and so on. Commands usually start with Get-, Set-, Add-, Remove-, Move- and so on. Additional applications can extend the Powershell with their own commands such as Active Directory, Hyper-V, ServerManager, Exchange, SQL, Sharepoint, Lync and so on. See Technet for more information. Windows 8 comes with Powershell v3, Windows 8.1 comes with Powershell v4. If you want to run an older version, enter Powershell.exe -version number.
| Command | Alias / Other | Purpose |
| Alias | n/a | Display or set aliases |
| Compare-Object | Compare, diff | Compare two objects such as files, and display differences |
| Copy-Item | Copy, Cp | Copy files and directorues |
| Get-Content | Type | Display contents of a file to screen |
| Get-Help | Help, Man | Help on commands |
| Get-History | History | Display history of commands entered |
| Get-ChildItem | Dir, Ls | Display files and folders |
| Move-Item | Move, Mv | Move files or directories to another location |
| New-Item | NI, Md | Create new files or directories |
| Out-Printer | Print text to default or selected printer | |
| Powershell_ISE | n/a | Powershell editor |
| Remove-Item | Del, Rd | Delete files and directories |
| Rename-Item | Ren | Rename files or directories to a different name |
| Select-String | SLS | Select or find a string from any given input |
| Set-ItemProperty | SP | Change properties of a file or directory |
| Set-Location | CD | Change directory or drive |
| Write-Output | Echo | Display text on Screen |
8. Can I run a Bash shell on Windows?
Yes, you can download Cygwin for Windows, which includes bash shell, tools and languages you find on Linux systems.
Cygwin also includes XLaunch which allows you to run X Windows compatible programs e.g. xedit, xterm, xcalc, xeyes etc.
Another alternative is XMing.