Ten Excellent Command Prompt ( CMD ) Tricks

Here are some perfect tricks you can use to make your-self relaxed while performing the Command Prompt . Primary things first , the shortcut for Command Prompt is cmd orthat’s all you have to type in the Run box and the Start search as a way to bring it up . Now onto the great tricks , which may be known ones for the geeky ones among you , buton the other side , need the possible to incite the a-ha moment for many other each day computer users among you . 

Let’s move , shall we ? 

1 . Open Command Prompt in a Folder 

If you open the command prompt , it opens up in each User and System folder based upon either you ran it as administrator and not . Now the point is , if you need to open a file in any particular folder , you would need to use the change directory( cd ) command to navigate to the folder which may be a problem when the directory is nested much toodeep . 

To lessen benefits you can open the folder in your Windows Explorer , hold Shift key when you right-click in the folder or choose Run command window here to direct open the CMD prompt with the path to that folder direct .

2 . Enable QuickEdit for Easy Copy/Paste 

The one thing I want the most in Command Prompt is the ability to simply copy and paste text by using the regular Windows hotkeys . Generally , one will need to use the right-click context menu options to copy and paste text , but when you allow QuickEdit , you can apply them using easy shortcuts . 

To allow the QuickEdit mode , right-click on the Command Prompt Title Bar or choose Properties . In the Properties Window under the Option Tab enable QuickEdit Mode . That’s all ; now you can immediately select text by dragging your mouse pointer . Pressing the enter key on the selected text will copy the text to the clipboard , or a easy left clickwill be sufficient to paste the text .

3 . Run Command Prompt as Admin 

A lot of commands need you to run command prompt as administrator . If you search for CMD in Start Menu , besides choosing Run as administrator from the right-click menu ,you will simply press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open it with admin advantages . This trick will work for any the programs installed on your system . 

4 . View Command History 

You will see last used commands in a session using the control keys , but when you would want to see an index of all the commands , you will get it by pressing the F7 button . 

Simply , you may use the command doskey /history to list these commands in the command prompt itself.

5 . Change Command Prompt Looks 

Are you bored with the regular black-and-white looks of the command prompt or hoped to paint it different ? Now we have already discussed a guide on how you can modifyyour command prompt which you may refer to make the changes .

6 . Copy Commands Output to Clipboard Directly 

Sometimes you might need to copy the output from a command to clipboard , like at times if you get a mistake , but you need to paste the specific error in email and whiletalking with some-one . 

To save a command output to a clipboard add the command | clip by the end of the command . For e .g . Dir /p | clip 

7 . Drag or Drop Files to Change Path 

When you are already in command prompt , or you need to copy the specific path to a folder and file to run the file and change the current working directory , you will simply drag or drop the file and the folder on the command prompt . 
The path of the dropped file and folder shows up in quotes . 

8 . Run Commands Simultaneously 

You will put && between two commands or execute them one after the other . The command on the left will execute first used by the command on the right of the dualampersand . 

9 . Get Help for Command 

Well let’s think you will know about a command , and you are unsure if it works . Not a problem , all you have to do is suffix the command with / ? or execute it . When the command is valid , the command prompt will give all the details linked to it . 

10 . Watch Star Wars in ASCII 

For everyone my nerdy friends who will be diehard fans of Star Wars , you can still watch the Star Wars Episode IV movie in the command prompt . Though it would be in ASCII , it will be fun . To start the movie , open command prompt , type in telnet towel .blinkenlights .nl . or click enter . Don’t forget the popcorns though .

Conclusion 

I am sure all these tricks will make you a touch more confident with the Windows Command Prompt . When you are one of our more technical smart readers who have beencalling on the Command Prompt for years , why not discuss some great tricks that you’ve got up your sleeve ? Chip in with your comments !