Windows Command Prompt (CMD) Lab

Hands-on exercises for mastering basic Windows CMD operations

Lab Overview

This lab will teach you essential Windows Command Prompt commands for navigating the file system, managing files and folders, and performing basic operations. Complete each exercise in order.

Prerequisites: Windows 10/11 with Command Prompt access

Part 1: Opening Command Prompt

Methods to Open CMD:

Windows Key + R → Type cmd → Press Enter
Windows Key + X → Select "Windows Terminal" or "Command Prompt"
Search Bar → Type "cmd" or "command prompt" → Press Enter
File Explorer → Type cmd in address bar → Press Enter

Tip: For administrator privileges, right-click and select "Run as administrator"

Part 2: Navigation Commands

Essential Navigation Commands:

Command	Description	Example
`cd`	Display current directory	`cd`
`cd [folder]`	Change to specified folder	`cd Documents`
`cd ..`	Go up one directory level	`cd ..`
`cd \`	Go to root of current drive	`cd \`
`cd /d [drive:]`	Change to different drive	`cd /d D:\`
`dir`	List files and folders	`dir`
`dir /w`	Wide format listing	`dir /w`
`dir /p`	Paginated listing	`dir /p`
`tree`	Display folder structure	`tree`
`cls`	Clear screen	`cls`

Exercise 1: Navigation Practice

Open Command Prompt
Display your current directory: cd
List all files and folders: dir
Navigate to your Documents folder: cd Documents
Go back to parent directory: cd ..
Navigate to C:\ root: cd \
Display folder tree structure: tree

Part 3: File Management Commands

File Operations:

Command	Description	Example
`echo [text] > file.txt`	Create file with text	`echo Hello World > test.txt`
`type nul > file.txt`	Create empty file	`type nul > empty.txt`
`type [file]`	Display file contents	`type test.txt`
`copy [source] [dest]`	Copy file	`copy test.txt backup.txt`
`move [source] [dest]`	Move/rename file	`move test.txt newname.txt`
`ren [old] [new]`	Rename file	`ren oldfile.txt newfile.txt`
`del [file]`	Delete file	`del test.txt`
`del *.txt`	Delete all .txt files	`del *.txt`
`attrib [file]`	View file attributes	`attrib test.txt`
`find "[text]" [file]`	Search text in file	`find "hello" test.txt`

Exercise 2: File Operations Practice

Setup: First, let's create a practice workspace and multiple files to work with

Step 1: Create Your Workspace

Navigate to Desktop: cd %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
Create a practice folder: mkdir CMD_Practice
Enter the folder: cd CMD_Practice

Step 2: Create Multiple Files

Create first file: echo This is document 1 > document1.txt
Create second file: echo This is document 2 > document2.txt
Create a notes file: echo My important notes > notes.txt
Create a todo list: echo 1. Learn CMD > todo.txt
Add to todo list: echo 2. Practice commands >> todo.txt
Create a data file: echo Name,Age,City > data.csv
Verify all files created: dir

Step 3: Organize with Folders

Create Documents folder: mkdir Documents
Create Backup folder: mkdir Backup
Create Data folder: mkdir Data

Step 4: File Operations

Move documents to Documents folder: move document*.txt Documents
Copy notes to Backup: copy notes.txt Backup
Move data file to Data folder: move data.csv Data
View todo list contents: type todo.txt
Copy todo to Documents: copy todo.txt Documents\todo_backup.txt
List all files in Documents: dir Documents

Step 5: Advanced Operations

Copy all .txt files to Backup: copy *.txt Backup
Rename notes.txt: ren notes.txt important_notes.txt
Create a combined file: type Documents\document*.txt > combined.txt
View folder structure: tree /f

Step 6: Cleanup (Optional)

Delete specific file: del todo.txt
Remove empty Data folder: rmdir Data
Go back to Desktop: cd ..
Delete entire practice folder (careful!): rmdir /s /q CMD_Practice

Great job! You've created multiple files and folders, organized them, and practiced essential file management operations. These are real-world skills you'll use frequently!

Part 4: Folder Management Commands

Folder Operations:

Command	Description	Example
`mkdir [folder]`	Create new folder	`mkdir NewFolder`
`md [folder]`	Create folder (short)	`md TestFolder`
`mkdir [path\folder]`	Create nested folders	`mkdir Parent\Child\Grandchild`
`rmdir [folder]`	Remove empty folder	`rmdir OldFolder`
`rd [folder]`	Remove folder (short)	`rd TestFolder`
`rmdir /s [folder]`	Remove folder and contents	`rmdir /s FullFolder`
`rmdir /s /q [folder]`	Remove without confirmation	`rmdir /s /q TempFolder`
`move [folder] [dest]`	Move/rename folder	`move OldName NewName`
`xcopy [source] [dest] /e`	Copy folder with contents	`xcopy SourceDir DestDir /e`
`robocopy [src] [dest]`	Robust folder copy	`robocopy Source Dest /e`

Exercise 3: Folder Management Practice

Create a main folder: mkdir CMDLab
Navigate into it: cd CMDLab
Create multiple subfolders: mkdir Projects Documents Backup
Create nested folders: mkdir Projects\2024\January
List folder structure: tree
Rename a folder: move Documents MyDocs
Remove empty folder: rmdir Backup

Part 5: Advanced Commands & Tips

Useful Advanced Commands:

Command	Description	Example
`help`	List all commands	`help`
`help [command]`	Get help for specific command	`help dir`
`[command] /?`	Command help	`dir /?`
`tab`	Auto-complete paths	Type partial name + Tab
`↑ ↓`	Command history	Arrow keys
`F7`	Display command history	Press F7 key
`command > file.txt`	Redirect output to file	`dir > listing.txt`
`command \| more`	Page through output	`dir \| more`
`command1 && command2`	Run if first succeeds	`mkdir test && cd test`
`start [program]`	Launch program	`start notepad`

Pro Tips:

Use Tab key for auto-completion of file and folder names
Use quotes for paths with spaces: cd "Program Files"
Use * as wildcard: dir *.txt shows all .txt files
Chain commands with &&: mkdir test && cd test
Use cls to clear screen when it gets cluttered
Drag and drop files into CMD to auto-paste their paths
Right-click title bar → Properties to customize CMD appearance

Part 6: Final Challenge

Complete Project Structure Challenge

Create the following project structure using only CMD commands:

MyProject/
├── src/
│   ├── main.txt
│   └── config.txt
├── docs/
│   ├── readme.txt
│   └── notes.txt
├── backup/
└── temp/

Solution Steps:

Create main folder: mkdir MyProject
Navigate into it: cd MyProject
Create all subfolders: mkdir src docs backup temp
Create src files: echo // Main file > src\main.txt && echo // Config > src\config.txt
Create docs files: echo README > docs\readme.txt && echo Notes > docs\notes.txt
Verify structure: tree /f
Clean up (optional): cd .. && rmdir /s /q MyProject

Congratulations!

You've completed the Windows CMD basics lab! You now have the fundamental skills to navigate and manage files and folders using the command line. Practice these commands regularly to build muscle memory and efficiency.

Quick Reference Card

Navigation

cd - Show current directory
cd [folder] - Change directory
cd .. - Go up one level
dir - List contents
cls - Clear screen

File Operations

echo text > file - Create file
type file - View file
copy src dest - Copy file
move src dest - Move file
del file - Delete file

Folder Operations

mkdir folder - Create folder
rmdir folder - Remove empty folder
rmdir /s folder - Remove with contents
tree - Show folder structure
xcopy src dest /e - Copy folder

Helpful Shortcuts

Tab - Auto-complete
↑ ↓ - Command history
F7 - History list
Ctrl+C - Cancel command
/? - Command help