Command Prompt essential commands for Windows 11 This list includes the most basic commands that any user should know. The list isn't arranged in any specific order.

While you can always use the Windows 11 Settings app or the Task Manager for common things in Windows, the Command Prompt has nifty tricks, too.

In Windows, just typing “cmd” into the taskbar search box and hitting Enter launches Command Prompt, but for some of these commands you need administrator privileges.

Getting started with Windows Command Prompt? Check out these essential Command Prompt commands to perform operations on your Windows PC more efficiently.

Over time, the need to fire up the Command Prompt has waned—but a handful of its commands remain easier to use than Windows 10's graphical equivalents.