We explain how to use the command prompt to issue precise text-based commands to your Windows PC or laptop.
You may never need to use the command line prompt, but if you do here is how
The mouse-driven point-and-click interface provided by Windows is user-friendly and easy to grasp but, occasionally, and especially when things go wrong, you'll need to delve into the command prompt.
The command prompt allows you to issue precise text-based commands, which can be used to access software utilities that have no mouse-operated counterpart. For example, SFC /SCANNOW runs the System File Checker, and IPCONFIG shows the status of your network interfaces. The latter includes useful information such as your local IP address, which it can also renew for you.
It's simple to open a command prompt.
In Windows 7, click the Start menu and type command or cmd into the search box. Next, click the command prompt icon. The process is the same in Windows Vista; in XP, you should choose Start, Run, type cmd and press Enter.
In versions of Windows from Vista onwards, some advanced commands may require you to use an account with administrator privileges to work. In this case, you need to run the command prompt program in Administrator mode. To do so, simply right-click the command prompt icon and select Run as Administrator.
See all How to articles. Get free tech support in the Helproom Forum.
Visit Windows 7 Advisor for more Windows advice. Or email our Helproom Editor for bespoke advice.
Comments
Matt Egan said: Sneaky I should delete your post but you did it so nicely
www.ArtSale2.com said: Nice wee articleDOS was always great at controlling a computer very quickly and it is a shame it is disappearing from use although still accessible via Windowsps Please can folk out there spread the word I am trying to raise money for charities from part profits from the sale of artwork prints at wwwArtSale2comI am trying to help SightSavers as well as many othersAnyway back to computing suppose Windows is much easier for navigating around a computer but I would suggest line command instructions was far quicker Do other people feel we are losing computing control and at the mercy of modern user interfaces andthe slow moving mouse