Goal

Explore what Windows CLI is, how to navigate, and interact with the system using Windows CLI.

The Command Prompt (often referred to as CMD) is a text-based interface for interacting with the Windows operating system. Instead of clicking folders and menus, you type commands to tell the system exactly what you want to do, such as listing files, moving between folders, or checking system information. It might look simple, but it's a powerful and widely used tool.

• Use the Windows command line confidently
• Navigate folders without clicking
• Find files when you only know their name
• Read files using the terminal
• Collect basic system and network information

Tools/Framework

Windows CLI: Navigating Files and Finding Your First File

Terminal (Command Prompt) Basics

The terminal (Command Prompt) is a text-based interface used to interact with the Windows operating system. Instead of navigating with a mouse, you type commands to tell the system exactly what to do.

In cyber security, the terminal is essential because:

• It is faster than clicking through menus
• It provides more precise control over the system
• Many security and administrative tools only run in the terminal

Mastering the command line is a fundamental skill for troubleshooting, system administration, and penetration testing.

Overview

Before exploring a Windows system, you need to understand how to:

• Move between directories