Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use It. Command Prompt is a command line interpreter application available in most Windows operating systems. Command Prompt is used to execute entered commands. Most of those commands are used to automate tasks via scripts and batch files, perform advanced administrative functions, and troubleshoot and solve certain kinds of Windows issues.

1. Steps on how to use the Windows command line sometimes referred to as DOS.
2. Use Ocsetup.exe to remove Windows optional components. Windows Vista Business.

How Command Prompt Works

Command Prompt - What It Is and How to Use It. Command Prompt is a command line interpreter application available in most Windows operating systems. Command Prompt is used to execute entered commands. Most of those commands are used to automate tasks via scripts and batch files, perform advanced administrative functions, and troubleshoot and solve certain kinds of Windows issues.

Command Prompt is officially called Windows Command Processor but is also sometimes called the command shell or cmd prompt, or even referred to by its filename cmd. Note: Command Prompt is sometimes incorrectly referred to as . Command Prompt is a Windows program that emulates many of the command line abilities available in MS- DOS but it is not actually MS- DOS. How to Access Command Prompt.

You can open Command Prompt via the Command Prompt shortcut located in the Start Menu or on the Apps screen, depending on what version of Windows you have. See How Do I Open Command Prompt? See How To Open an Elevated Command Prompt for more details. How to Use Command Prompt. To use Command Prompt, you must enter a valid command along with any optional parameters. Command Prompt then executes the command as entered and performs whatever task or function it's designed to perform in Windows.

How to Diskpart Erase/Clean a Drive Through the. To open the Command Prompt on a Windows Vista or Windows 7 machine click on Start. Select Command Prompt. The Windows Vista Command Prompt Environment. The Windows Vista command shell has a feature called Command Line Completion that can really help you enter these names. The Command Prompt still lives in Windows Vista. As always, if you have comments or information to share about Windows Vista's Command Prompt. Opens command prompt window : explorer: Opens Windows explorer : magnify: Screen magnifier accessory . Enter cmd /k some. The Run Line in Windows Vista or.

A large number of commands exist in Command Prompt but their availability differs from operating system to operating system. See my table of Command Availability Across Microsoft Operating Systems for a quick comparison.

You might also want to see my List of Command Prompt Commands which is essentially the same as the table but with descriptions of each command and information about when it first appeared, or why it was retired. I also keep operating system specific lists of commands as well: Important: Commands must be entered into Command Prompt exactly. Wrong syntax or a misspelling could cause the command to fail or worse, could execute the wrong command or the right command in the wrong way. See How to Read Command Syntax for more information. See Command Prompt Tricks and Hacks for more information on some of unique things you can do in the Command Prompt.

Command Prompt Availability. Command Prompt is available on every Windows NT- based operating system which includes Windows 1. Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2.

Windows Server 2. Windows Power. Shell, a more advanced command line interpreter available in recent Windows versions, in many ways supplements the command executing abilities available in Command Prompt. Windows Power. Shell may eventually replace the Command Prompt in a future version of Windows. Note: In Windows 9. In MS- DOS, command.

I do keep a List of DOS Commands if you happen to still use MS- DOS or are otherwise interested.