Sunday December 21 2025

Learn the command line: The basic tricks that will save you time

Learn the command line – basic tricks
Learning the command line: practical tips for beginners

🚀 Become a Master of the Windows Command Line

Discover the secrets of Command Prompt and make your work easier and faster!

In the modern world of computers, the black text window (Command Prompt) of Windows is one of the most useful tools that you may be unaware of. Although many consider it outdated or complicated, it is actually the key to gaining complete control over your computer. Imagine being able to do tasks that usually take time, in just seconds. Organize your files, fix problems or automate tasks with simple commands. That's the magic of the Command Prompt! In this guide, you will learn all the secrets that will make you go from beginner to expert user. Get ready to discover a whole new way to handle your computer!
💡 Tip #1: Open with Special Permissions

To fully utilize the power of Command Prompt, you need to open it with the correct permissions. Many more advanced commands require special permission to function properly.

How to do it:
• Press the Windows button and type "cmd"
• Right-click on "Command Prompt"
• Select "Run as administrator"

Quick shortcut: Type "cmd" and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter at the same time
Why it is important: Without these permissions, many commands will not work or will display error messages.
🌐 Tip #2: Check Your Internet Connections

The order ipconfig It acts as an "identification tool" for your connection. It shows you basic information about your internet connection or local network.

ipconfig

If you want more details, write:

ipconfig /all
Practical use: Ideal for when you're having connection problems or want to find your IP address for remote connection or gaming.
🧹 Tip #3: Clean Your Screen

When the screen fills with a lot of text and becomes cluttered, use the command cls to clean it:

cls

This simple command will instantly clear the screen, providing a clean space to continue your work.

📁 Tip #4: Navigate Folders Easier

The order cd allows you to easily move to various folders on your computer:

cd C:\Users\ToOnomaSas\Documents

To go back to the previous folder:

cd ..

To return to the base of drive C:

cd C:\
Smart trick: You can combine commands! The cd ..\OneDrive takes you to the OneDrive folder after one step back.
🏗️ Tip #5: Creating and Deleting Folders

To create a new folder, use the command:

mkdir "Νέος Φάκελος"

To delete an empty folder:

rmdir "Φάκελος προς Διαγραφή"

To delete a folder with all its files:

rmdir /S "Φάκελος με Αρχεία"
Caution: The order rmdir /S permanently deletes the folder and its files without moving them to the Recycle Bin. You can't get them back!
📄 Tip #6: Create Files Quickly

With the command echo, you can create text files very quickly:

echo Καλημέρα κόσμε! > χαιρετισμος.txt

To add text to an existing file:

echo Νέα γραμμή κειμένου >> χαιρετισμος.txt
Difference: The > replaces the content, while the >> adds new text to the end of the file.
⚡ Tip #7: AutoComplete with Tab

The Tab key is your best friend! Instead of typing entire folder names, type the first few letters and press Tab:

Write: cd C:\Prog
Press Tab
The system will complete: cd C:\Program Files\

If there are many options, press Tab again and again to see all the available options!

🔧 Tip #8: Check and Fix Your Hard Drive

The order chkdsk acts like a "doctor" for your hard drive. It checks for potential problems and fixes them:

chkdsk C: /f
Important: This command requires administrator privileges and you may need to restart your computer to complete the process.
When to use it: When your computer is slow, you have frequent errors, or you suspect problems with your hard drive.
🎨 Tip #9: Change Colors in Command Prompt

Are you tired of the black background with white text? You can change it using the command color:

color 0A
CodeColor
0Black
1Blue
2Green
3Sky Blue
4Red
5Purple
6Yellow
7White
ALight green
BLight Blue
CLight Red

The first character defines the background color, and the second the text color. Try it out. color 1F for blue background with white text!

Command Prompt colors and customizations
👁️ Tip #10: See What's Running on Your Computer

With the command tasklist, you can see all the programs that are currently open and running:

tasklist

If a program hangs or becomes unresponsive, you can kill it using its PID number:

taskkill /F /PID 1234
Alternatively: You can also close a program by its name:
taskkill /F /IM notepad.exe
⚙️ Tip #11: Customize the Command Prompt Window

Make the Command Prompt more friendly and comfortable to use:

• Right-click on the title bar
• Select "Properties"
• Change the font size for better reading
• Adjust the colors to your liking
• Adjust the window size
Smart trick: Enable "QuickEdit Mode" to copy text simply by selecting it with the mouse!
🔗 Tip #12: Running Multiple Commands Together

Instead of waiting for commands to be executed one by one, you can combine them using the character &&:

mkdir ΝέοΠροτζεκτ && cd ΝέοΠροτζεκτ && echo Ξεκινάμε! > readme.txt

This command will:

1. Create the folder "NewProject"
2. It will go to the folder
3. It will create the readme.txt file with the text "Let's get started!"
Useful for: Save time by performing repetitive tasks without delays!

🎯 Summarizing

With these 12 tips and techniques, you've gained the skills you need to use the Windows Command Prompt with ease. From simple tasks like navigating folders to more advanced functions like diagnosing system problems, you now have a complete tool in your hands.
The Command Prompt may seem old, but it's one of the most powerful and fastest tools in the Windows system. With the right knowledge, you can perform tasks that would normally take time, in just seconds!

Keep practicing, experimenting, and discovering new possibilities. The world of Command Prompt is limitless!

(I.e. Last updated: December 2025


Evangelos
✍️ Evangelos
Its creator LoveForTechnology.net — an independent and trusted source for tech guides, tools, and practical solutions. Each article is based on personal testing, evidence-based research, and care for the average user. Here, technology is presented simply and clearly.



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