Unlocking the Power of Command Prompt: Tips and Tricks You Should Know

Command Prompt, also known as CMD, might seem old-school, but it’s still a powerful tool hidden in your Windows system. Whether you’re a budding techie or someone who just loves discovering cool tricks, this article is your go-to guide to make CMD fun, stylish, and incredibly useful.

Let’s get started with some exciting CMD tricks you probably never knew!


🔹 1. Open CMD in Any Folder Instantly

Instead of launching Command Prompt manually and navigating folders using commands, here’s a faster way:

Steps:

  1. Open the folder where you want to launch CMD.
  2. Click on the address bar in File Explorer.
  3. Type cmd and press Enter.

CMD will now open directly in that folder’s path.


🔹 2. Customize the CMD Window Color

Want to give your CMD a stylish look? You can change the text and background color.

Steps:

  1. Type help color in CMD.
  2. You’ll see a list of color codes like:
    • 0 = Black, 1 = Blue, 2 = Green, …, F = White
  3. Use the syntax: color [Background][Text]
    • Example: color 05 sets a purple background with white text.

Try combinations like color 0A, color 1E, or color 3F and find your favorite!


🔹 3. Change the CMD Prompt Text

By default, your CMD prompt shows the folder path. You can change it to something cooler.

Steps:

  1. Use the command: prompt [custom text]$G
    • Example: prompt HelloUser$G
    This will show HelloUser> as your prompt.
  2. For more variations, try: prompt $P$G prompt $D $T$G

🔹 4. Change the CMD Window Title

Give your Command Prompt window a custom name.

Steps:

  1. Use the command: title [your title here]
    • Example: title Hacker Mode
      Now your CMD window shows this title in the top bar.

🔹 5. Watch Star Wars in CMD! (ASCII Style)

This is a fun Easter egg!

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
  2. Type: telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl (Make sure Telnet is enabled in Windows Features.)

Watch a full ASCII version of Star Wars Episode IV unfold in your CMD window. It’s absolutely geeky and awesome!


🔹 6. Hide a Folder Using CMD

You can hide a folder more securely than just setting it to “hidden” in properties.

Steps:

  1. Create a folder (say, named SecretFolder) on your desktop.
  2. Open CMD and type: attrib +h +s "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\SecretFolder"

To unhide it, use:

attrib -h -s "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\SecretFolder"

This method hides the folder even if “Show hidden files” is enabled.


🔹 7. Copy CMD Output to Clipboard

Need to save output from a command like ipconfig?

Steps:

  1. Use the pipe symbol | followed by clip.
    • Example: ipconfig | clip
  2. Open Notepad and press Ctrl + V to paste the result.

This trick is great for sharing diagnostics or copying large outputs quickly.


🔹 8. View Command History with F7

Want to see a list of previously used commands?

Steps:

  • Press F7 on your keyboard while CMD is open.
    You’ll get a pop-up list of recently used commands to scroll through.

🔹 9. Auto-Complete Commands with Tab

Forget typing full directory names!

Steps:

  • Type part of the folder or file name and press Tab.
    CMD will auto-complete it for you. Keep pressing Tab to cycle through all matches.

🔹 10. Create Folders with Reserved Names

Windows restricts certain folder names like CON, AUX, NUL, etc.

But here’s how to bypass it:

Steps:

  1. Open CMD.
  2. Type: md \\.\C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\CON

You’ve now created a folder named CON—which normally isn’t allowed via GUI.


🔹 11. List All Installed Programs Using CMD

Want a list of every installed application?

Steps:

  1. Type the following in CMD: wmic product get name

After a few seconds, you’ll get a list of all installed programs on your system.


Final Thoughts

Command Prompt is more than just a black-and-white text box. With these tricks, you can use it to add fun, functionality, and flair to your computer experience. Try them out and surprise your friends with your CMD wizardry.


📂 Tags:

command prompt tips, cmd tricks, windows tricks, windows customization, tech tips, windows cmd, hide folders, command prompt customization, cmd color change, cmd copy output, windows hacking tips

🔖 Hashtags:

#CommandPrompt #CMDTips #WindowsTricks #TechHacks #CMDCustomization #HiddenFolders #CMDShortcuts #WindowsCustomization #CLIHacks #ProductivityTips

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Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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