Top 10 Command Prompt Commands to Learn First (dir, copy, cls, exit, etc.)

In the last article, you mastered how to launch the Command Prompt and the basic operations like copy & paste and recalling history. You should no longer feel resistant to opening the black screen and typing characters. That's a fantastic first step!

Now that you know how to open the toolbox, it's time to learn how to use the basic tools inside. The Command Prompt has countless commands, but you don't need to learn them all at once. Let's start with the classic commands that, like a saw, hammer, and screwdriver for DIY projects, will allow you to do most things once you've learned them.

In this article, we've carefully selected and will explain 10 important and basic commands that web creators often use for file operations and information checking. Please try typing each command yourself and get a physical feel for how they work!

Commands for "Viewing and Moving" Files and Folders

First, here are the basic commands for freely exploring the file system.

1. dir - List the contents of a directory

This is the most fundamental command for checking what files and folders are in your current location (the current directory).

dir

Adding the /s option will recursively display all files, including the contents of subfolders.

dir /s

2. cd - Change directory

Use cd (Change Directory) to move to your target folder. It's an essential command for changing your workspace.

cd Desktop

3. tree - Display the directory structure as a tree

This displays the folder structure below the current directory in a visually easy-to-understand tree format. It's very useful when you want to grasp the overall structure of a project.

tree

Commands for "Creating, Deleting, and Copying" Files and Folders

Next are the commands for actually manipulating files and folders.

4. mkdir (or md) - Create a new folder

mkdir (Make Directory) creates a new, empty folder.

mkdir new-project

5. copy - Copy (duplicate) a file

This duplicates a file to a different name or a different location. You specify it in the order of "source_file destination_file."

copy memo.txt memo_backup.txt

6. del (or erase) - Delete a file

This deletes files that are no longer needed. [IMPORTANT] Files deleted with this command do not go to the Recycle Bin and generally cannot be recovered. Please be sure to check that you really want to delete the file before using it.

del memo_backup.txt

※ To delete a folder, use the rmdir (or rd) command.

Commands for Controlling the Screen and Information

Finally, here are some supplementary commands for making your work more comfortable and for checking information.

7. cls - Clear the screen

cls (Clear Screen) erases all the content displayed on the Command Prompt screen and returns it to a clean state. Feel free to use it whenever the screen gets cluttered.

cls

8. type - Display the contents of a text file

This displays the contents of a specified text file on the Command Prompt. It's useful when you want to quickly check the contents of a configuration file.

type "C:\path\to\your\file.txt"

9. ipconfig - Display network settings

This is a classic command for checking your PC's IP address and information about the network it's connected to. It's the first command used in network-related troubleshooting.

ipconfig

10. exit - Exit the Command Prompt

As the name suggests, this closes the Command Prompt window. It's the same as clicking the "×" button in the top right, but being able to close it with a command looks a bit more professional, doesn't it?

exit

Conclusion

This time, we introduced 10 classic, frequently used commands that you should learn first in the Windows Command Prompt. They are all simple, and once you learn them, they should help you in various situations.

It's a good idea to first learn their roles by group:

• Viewing and Moving: dir, cd, tree
• Creating, Deleting, Copying: mkdir, copy, del
• Viewing Content and Clearing the Screen: type, cls
• Checking Information and Exiting: ipconfig, exit

Now that you can master these basic "words," the next step is to combine them to automate a series of tasks by creating a "batch file." In the next article, we'll explain how to create your own simple automation tool that can finish routine tasks with just a click. Stay tuned!

Introduction to Creating Batch Files (.bat): Automate Processes with Just a Click