Getting Started

Opening Command Prompt

Windows 10, 11:

• Press Win + R
• Type cmd and press Enter
• For administrator access: Right-click Command Prompt → "Run as administrator"

Keyboard Shortcuts

Core Navigation Commands

Understanding the Directory Structure

C:\
 └── Users\
      └── YourUsername\
           ├── Documents\
           ├── Downloads\
           └── Desktop\

Essential Navigation Commands

Practice Example

C:\Users\YourName> cd Desktop
C:\Users\YourName\Desktop> dir

File Management Commands

Creating Files & Folders

Copying & Moving Files

Deleting Files & Folders

Viewing File Contents

System Information Commands

Check Your System

Managing Running Programs

Network Diagnostics Commands

Python & Development Workflow

Managing Python Environments

Check Python Installation:

python --version

Create Virtual Environment:

python -m venv venv

Activate Virtual Environment:

venv\Scripts\activate

Deactivate Virtual Environment:

deactivate

Install Packages:

pip install package_name
pip install numpy pandas scikit-learn

View Installed Packages:

pip list

Create Requirements File:

pip freeze > requirements.txt

Install from Requirements:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Running Python Scripts

python script.py
python train_model.py --epochs 100

Conda Environment Management (for Anaconda Users)

conda create -n myenv python=3.9
conda activate myenv
conda install numpy pandas
conda deactivate

Advanced Tips & Tricks

1. Command Chaining & Redirection

Output Redirection:

dir > file_list.txt              :: Save output to file
dir >> file_list.txt             :: Append to file
command > nul                    :: Discard output

Piping (using output as input):

dir | find "txt"                 :: Find "txt" in directory listing
tasklist | find "python"         :: Find python processes

2. Using Wildcards

del *.tmp                        :: Delete all .tmp files
copy report*.xlsx Backup\        :: Copy files starting with "report"
ren *.txt *.bak                  :: Rename all .txt to .bak

3. Environment Variables

Common Variables:

%USERPROFILE%                   :: User's home directory
%TEMP%                          :: Temporary files folder
%PATH%                          :: System executable paths
%COMPUTERNAME%                  :: Computer name

Usage:

cd %USERPROFILE%\Documents      :: Go to user's Documents
echo %PATH%                     :: Show all PATH directories
dir %TEMP%                      :: View temp folder

4. Creating Batch Scripts

Create a file called backup.bat:

@echo off
REM This is a backup script
echo Starting backup...
xcopy C:\Work D:\Backups /E /H /C /I
echo Backup completed!
pause

Run it:

backup.bat

5. Navigating Efficiently

Save and return to directories:

pushd C:\path\to\folder        :: Save location and navigate
popd                           :: Return to saved location

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Useful Verification Commands

dir C:\                         :: Verify you're at root
cd                             :: Show current directory
cls                            :: Clear screen if output is messy
help command_name              :: Get help for specific command
command /?                     :: Alternative help format

Linux to Windows Command Mapping

For those familiar with Linux, here's a quick reference:

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: File Management

mkdir Practice
cd Practice
type nul > document.txt
copy document.txt document_backup.txt
dir

Exercise 2: System Information

systeminfo
tasklist | find "python"
ipconfig

Exercise 3: Python Environment

python -m venv test_env
test_env\Scripts\activate
pip list
deactivate