Windows network administrator's command line tools
While we love and breathe keyboard shortcuts there is so much more that you can do without lifting your fingers from your keyboard. Here we compiled here a few essential command line tools used daily by Windows network administrators.
Most of these from the command should be executed from the command line but some have their own UI so you can also start them from the Windows Run dialog box (Windows Logo + R)
Also note that some of these tools are specific to the version of Windows you are running so check the XP/Vista column to know which one to use where.
|
Name |
Description |
XP |
Vista |
|
|
|
|
|
|
cmstp |
Connection Manager Profile Installer - installs or removes Connection Manager
service profiles. |
YES |
YES |
|
firewall.cpl |
Opens windows firewall. |
YES |
YES |
|
fsmgmt.msc |
Open shared folders. |
YES |
YES |
|
inetcpl.cpl |
Internet Properties control |
YES |
YES |
|
ipconfig |
IP Configuration display tool. Display current TCP/IP settings. |
YES |
YES |
|
napclcfg.msc |
Network Access Protection configuration tool |
YES |
YES |
|
nbtstat |
Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT. |
YES |
YES |
|
ncpa.cpl or control netconnections |
Network connections |
YES |
YES |
|
net |
Update, fix, or view the network or network settings |
YES |
YES |
|
netsetup.cpl |
Network Setup Wizard |
YES |
NO |
|
netsh |
Configure dynamic and static network information from the command prompt. |
YES |
YES |
|
nslookup |
Look up an IP address of a domain or host on a network |
YES |
YES |
|
pathping |
View and locate locations of network latency. This is a good tracert
alternative. |
YES |
YES |
|
route |
View and configure windows network route tables. |
YES |
YES |
|
shrpubw.exe |
Create Shared Folder |
YES |
YES |
|
sysdm.cpl |
System Properties control – Change computer name and domain membership. |
YES |
YES |
|
telephon.cpl |
Opens phone and Modem options |
YES |
YES |
|
telnet |
MS Telnet Client Telnet to another computer / device from the prompt. Used to
troubleshoot network connectivity problems or to initiate simple connections.
Microsoft Telnet Client tips and tricks
|
YES |
YES |
|
tracert |
View and locate network latency problems. A newer alternative is pathping. |
YES |
YES |
|