Essentials

Main commands

Executable / Command	Description
lusrmgr.msc	Local Users and Groups management
taskmgr.exe	Task Manager (processes, performance, startup)
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management (Event Viewer, Disk Mgmt, Services)
msinfo32.exe	System Information
resmon.exe	Resource Monitor
regedit.exe	Windows Registry Editor
cmd.exe	Command Prompt
powershell.exe	Windows PowerShell
pwsh.exe	PowerShell Core (if installed)
msconfig.exe	System Configuration (boot, startup, services)
services.msc	Windows Services manager
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management
control	Control Panel
control printers	Devices and Printers
control userpasswords2	Advanced user accounts
winver	Show Windows version
hostname	Show computer name
whoami	Show current user
shutdown	Shutdown / restart system
systeminfo	Detailed system configuration
tasklist	List running processes
taskkill	Kill a running process
cls	Clear command prompt screen
wf.msc	Windows Defender Firewall
secpol.msc	Local Security Policy
gpedit.msc	Local Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise)
control /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate	Windows Update

Network information

Command	Description
ipconfig	Display IP configuration
ipconfig /all	Detailed network configuration
ping	Test network connectivity
tracert	Trace network route
nslookup	DNS query tool
arp -a	Display ARP cache
route print	Display routing table
netstat -ano	Active connections and listening ports
netstat -ano | findstr :<port>	Check which process uses <port>
netsh interface ip show config	Show IP interface configuration
netsh int ipv4 show excludedportrange protocol=tcp	Show OS-reserved TCP ports
getmac	Show MAC addresses
net use	Map or view network drives
net share	List shared folders
net view	List network computers

• Find the process using a specific <port>

File system & disk utilities

Command	Description
explorer.exe	Open File Explorer
dir	List directory contents
tree	Display directory tree
copy / xcopy	Copy files
robocopy	Advanced file copy / mirroring
del	Delete files
mkdir / rmdir	Create / remove directories
attrib	View or change file attributes
chkdsk	Check disk for errors
diskpart	Disk partitioning utility
fsutil fsinfo drives	List drives

User & security management

Command	Description
net user	Manage local users
net localgroup	Manage local groups
runas	Run program as another user
whoami /groups	Show user group memberships
whoami /priv	Show user privileges
logoff	Log off current user
lock (Win+L)	Lock workstation
certmgr.msc	Certificate Manager (current user)
certlm.msc	Certificate Manager (local machine)

Environment variables

Variable	Description
%windir%	Windows directory (usually C:\Windows)
%systemroot%	Same as %windir%
%userprofile%	Current user profile path
%username%	Current username
%computername%	Computer name
%temp% / %tmp%	Temporary files directory
%appdata%	Roaming AppData directory
%localappdata%	Local AppData directory
%programfiles%	Program Files directory
%programfiles(x86)%	32-bit Program Files directory

Useful shortcuts (bonus)

Shortcut	Action
Win + R	Open Run dialog
Win + X	Power user menu
Win + E	File Explorer
Win + I	Settings
Win + L	Lock screen
Ctrl + Shift + Esc	Task Manager
Alt + F4	Close active window