Using the command line to perform certain actions has long seemed complicated. But for more advanced users, such as system administrators, using it is an advantage. With it, they can more easily manage the operation of some system components. Or access information that cannot be accessed from the system’s graphical interface. The Windows console makes it possible. We have been living in the era of graphical interfaces for decades. Therefore, some may think that the Windows console has disappeared from the operating system. But this is not the case, and it is still present. In this way, we enhance the performance of some tasks. Even, Microsoft has decided to renew it a little in Windows 11. That yes, maintaining its essence and with the commands that make that it continues being important for many users. Today we will know some aspects and commands of Windows Terminal.
The default Windows 11 console: Windows Terminal
The arrival of Windows 11 has brought with it a renewal that has taken quite a few users surprised. Nothing more and nothing less than the establishment of Windows Terminal as command line and console by default of Windows 11. Let us remember that this comes after its incorporation to Windows 10. We are talking about the system command line application.
Windows Terminal was introduced a few years ago. Specifically, at the Build 2019 event. In addition, from the beginning it has had a clear function: to serve as a command line tool, but renewed. Not in vain, its development was outside the Windows work team. In addition, its code was released, and free. All wrapped in a very recognizable air of Linux, a system that Windows is getting closer and closer to.
Increased benefits
This tool is more powerful than the command line of previous versions. In fact, it can manage the basic command console present on the computer since Windows NT. But it also runs the more advanced PowerShell console, available since Windows Vista. With the latter, in addition to using the command prompt, it is possible to create commands and combine them through sequences. However, to do so, you need to have some programming skills. Specifically, in C#.
In addition, you can have additional tabs for other tools open at the same time. This is the case of WSL 2, the second version of a Linux subsystem for Microsoft Windows. Its mission is to run Linux distributions. In addition to applications created for this system, within Windows itself. In short, Windows Terminal already works as a unifying tool for the different Windows command lines and consoles. However, this does not mean that it has eliminated the other two Windows command line applications installed on the system: CMD (or command line) and PowerShell.
Access to the command console in Windows 11
There are several ways to access the console through the command prompt. To use one of the fastest ones, the first thing you have to do is to open the Windows Finder, and type in it CMD. Before it opens, note that you can choose whether you want it to run in user mode or administrator mode. In the first case, you will be able to use it with various limitations. However, in exchange, there will be fewer unforeseen events if the user is not very experienced or is not interested in having access to various resources and options. You can also access through the Run tool, through the Finder in the Start menu.
PowerShell can also be accessed through the Windows Finder. But in this case, what you have to type in it is PowerShell. As for the Windows Terminal, until this version 11 it was not installed by default. Therefore, it was necessary to download that tool from its Microsoft Store page, and install it afterwards.
If you have this tool installed, or if you are using Windows 11, you only need to access it. Remember that you will be able to access, in different tabs, to PowerShell or to the command line. And it’s opening in Windows 11 is as simple as selecting the corresponding option in the contextual menu that appears when clicking with the right button of the mouse.
The main Windows terminal commands
It doesn’t matter which application or tool you use to access the command line. In text mode, in any of them you will have to use the same commands as in previous versions. Just as if you were using the old MS-DOS, but with slight differences. For example, you have :customization possibilities (although small), some colors and even tabs in the case of Windows Terminal.
To use any command, you only have to type it, followed by its modifiers in case it supports them, and you need them, and press the Enter key. The results of applying the command will be practically immediate. Below you have a list of the most useful commands for the Windows command line are the following:
Another Windows terminal commands
- Chkdsk: Checks what state a given disk drive is in. Either a disk partition or a volume. It also generates, and displays on screen, a report of how the examined drive or partition is. In addition to this, it can correct some errors that the disk may present. In the case of locating damaged sectors on it, it can even recover the information they contain.
- Systeminfo: This command is also responsible for displaying information, but in this case, about the entire operating system. It displays information about the computer’s processor, the RAM used and available, the BIOS, the virtual memory used and available, and who manufactured the motherboard. Furthermore, what version of the system is installed, as well as what updates it has.
- Dir: Returns a list of the files and subdirectories in a directory. To move from one directory to another, use the CD command, with the appropriate modifier.
- Del: Deletes one or more files from the folder, even if the file does not allow deletion when using the Windows GUI to try to delete it.
- Diskpart: Disk drive management, internal or external. It has disk management functions, both whole disks and partitions. Even works for virtual disks.
- Format: Formats a disk drive and prepares it to install Windows.
- Help: Displays a list of all the commands that can be used in the console. It can also be used to learn details about the operation of a command, if used with Help + command name.
Continuation of the list
- IPconfig: Its mission is to provide information about the TCO/IP network configuration values at the time the query is made. It also updates the DNS and DHCP settings.
- Ping: Checks that there is communication between the local computer and a remote computer on an IP network (or with several). It is also used to check the status and quality of a network, as well as its transmission speed.
- Netstat – Provides information about the network, as well as the opportunity to perform analysis and diagnostics of its status. It is also used to find out which IP address is behind a domain name.
- Nslookup: This command is used to know, in case of a connection problem, if a DNS is resolving properly both IPs and names. It also returns the list of incoming and outgoing connections to a computer.
- Tracert: With this command you can find out which packets are coming from a point in a network, as well as their latency, among other information.
These are certainly not the only commands you can use. However, perhaps the most used and the most useful for users of a Windows system with some experience using the Windows console. However, if you want to know the rest, as we have mentioned, you only have to resort to the Help command for further information. In this way, we have seen the main Windows Terminal commands. See you later!
