If you’re a frequent Windows user, you’ve likely opened up the Command Prompt at least once or twice (cmd.exe) – whether to troubleshoot something, run some diagnostics or just have a small poke around. But did you know there’s keyboard stubs that can make Command Prompt a lot faster as well to a pleasant experience to use as well? Instead of having to type things out, or click around in menus, these short cuts allow you to go about your business of navigating, editing and reusing commands as efficiently as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the most helpful of these alongside ways you can put them to good use.
Why Shortcuts Make A Difference?
Think of shortcuts, as shortcuts in life – they help time and a frustration of your life and also a way to not making mistakes. When it comes to using the Command Prompt, it’s likely there are times where you’d like to make something easier like getting a previous command, taking something off the end of a line or scrolling up or back through the history. Having the shortcuts built in means fewer mouse clicks, less switching between keyboard and mouse and more smooth work overall.
Best Command Prompt Shortcut You Should Know
Here are some of the key keyboard commands in the Command Prompt in Windows executed along with when they’d come handy. I’m doing some grouping in the usage so it’s easier to remember:
Navigating & Editing
- Arrow Keys (Up / Down) move the cursor in your command history. If you type something before, and would like to reuse it, or change it, press Up
- Home / End home or End refresh the cursor to the beginning or end of a current line and faster than deleting text
- Ctrl + Left Arrow / Ctrl + Right Arrow – move by word. Useful if you would like certain parts deleted, edited and not the whole line.
Text Selection, Copy & Paste
- Ctrl + C – Copy selected text (or cancels an aborted command if nothing is selected)
- Ctrl + V key can be used to paste text (or use Shift + Insert). Helps if you want to reuse long paths/commands that you’ve found elsewhere
Command Line & History Tools
- F1 sends itself an exact copy-of the previous command letter by letter. If there was an early mistype of a portion of them, this avoids retyping.
- F2 causes anything from the start of the last command to be copied to the letter of the letter. Good in situations that only part of a previous line is needed.
- F3 executes your last command in its entirety again Good if you want to run something again pretty fast.
- F4 allows you to erase part of your last command to a character you type. If you’re wanting to reuse only a part of something, this helps.
- F7 will open the history popup , which will show recent commands. Then from there you may choose your one to reuse no typing.
- F8 iterates over previously entered commands to what you’ve already typed so far. If you start typing in ipconfig and then hit F8 you’ll scroll past ipconfig commands.
Quick Line Clear / Control
- Esc – Reset entire current line – great if you use your checklist to start typing in and suddenly want to start again
- Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End delete from the cursor position to start or end of the line (depending on direction).
- Ctrl + M to go into the Mark mode and select text with the Arrow keys, especially great useful when QuickEdit is on, or when you want to copy text without using Mouse
How These Shortcuts are Helpful in Every Day Use?
Let’s put these shortcuts into actual lifes:
- For example, suppose you had to get the same complicated command such as directory navigation to work twice. Rather than retype, hit Up, change bits and hit Enter.
- If part of the command was a long folder path, use Ctrl + Left / Right to move through the folder path without deleting from the beginning of the path.
- You accidentally typed something wrong the beginning of a command – Esc lets get rid of that line in a jiffy and start again.
- Reviewing what commands you’ve used in the past (Search, Troubleshooting is easier w/key 4 then) F7 or arrow key history
These little time savers add up, especially if you’re on the command line a fair bit! Your workflow is faster, therms cleaner and full of lesser errors.
Tips to Make More In Command Prompt
Here are some suggestions to help you make as much use of these shortcuts as possible:
- You need to make sure that “QuickEdit” mode is switched on (in the “Properties” of the Command Prompt window): It helps several tasks like selecting, copying and pasting and make them easier.
- If you do lots of repetitive jobs, maybe you should write a short text file with the commands, or a batch script, – but it helps you to build the script faster if you know the shortcuts.
Practice these shortcuts by using them; once you’ve used them a couple of times they’ll become natural to you.
Conclusion
The Windows Command Prompt may be plain looking, but it’s powerful – and these keyboard shortcuts make Command Prompt more than just plain efficiency. Navigating through history, editing commands as you go, copy and paste without removing your hands from the keyboard-not only will these capabilities make your tasks quicker, they’re also likely to make them less frustrating.
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