| COMMAND | PURPOSE | KEY SWITCHES | CRITICAL USE |
| ipconfig /all | Full TCP/IP network configuration | /all | Verify IP/DNS/gateway; detect DHCP failures; check MAC addresses |
| netstat -t -a -f | Active connections + listening ports | -t -a -f | Find hidden malware connections; diagnose port conflicts; see remote hostnames |
| route print | Routing table (traffic path decisions) | (none) | Fix "No Internet" issues; verify VPN routes; troubleshoot multi-NIC setups |
| arp -a -v | Local network IP ↔ MAC address mapping | -a -v | Detect IP conflicts; spot ARP spoofing; map unknown devices on your network |
| nbtstat -n | NetBIOS names registered by your PC | -n | Legacy Windows troubleshooting; resolve NetBIOS name conflicts (rare today) |
| hostname | Local computer name | (none) | Quick identification for RDP/SSH; script automation |
| tasklist | Running processes | (none) | Identify resource hogs; spot suspicious background tasks |
| tasklist /svc | Services inside processes (e.g., svchost.exe) | /svc | Diagnose service crashes; find which service uses a PID; security audits |
| tasklist /v | Detailed process info (user, status, CPU, window title) | /v | See who owns a process; find hung apps; debug "Access Denied" errors |
|
TIPS: Run ALL commands AS ADMIN (right-click Command Prompt → "Run as administrator") * For process IDs: netstat -tafo
|
| COMMAND | PURPOSE | KEY SWITCHES | CRITICAL USE |
| ipconfig /all | Full TCP/IP network configuration | /all | Verify IP/DNS/gateway; detect DHCP failures; check MAC addresses |
| netstat -t -a -f | Active connections + listening ports | -t -a -f | Find hidden malware connections; diagnose port conflicts; see remote hostnames |
| route print | Routing table (traffic path decisions) | (none) | Fix "No Internet" issues; verify VPN routes; troubleshoot multi-NIC setups |
| arp -a -v | Local network IP ↔ MAC address mapping | -a -v | Detect IP conflicts; spot ARP spoofing; map unknown devices on your network |
| nbtstat -n | NetBIOS names registered by your PC | -n | Legacy Windows troubleshooting; resolve NetBIOS name conflicts (rare today) |
| hostname | Local computer name | (none) | Quick identification for RDP/SSH; script automation |
| tasklist | Running processes | (none) | Identify resource hogs; spot suspicious background tasks |
| tasklist /svc | Services inside processes (e.g., svchost.exe) | /svc | Diagnose service crashes; find which service uses a PID; security audits |
| tasklist /v | Detailed process info (user, status, CPU, window title) | /v | See who owns a process; find hung apps; debug "Access Denied" errors |
|
TIPS: Run ALL commands AS ADMIN (right-click Command Prompt → "Run as administrator") * For process IDs: netstat -tafo
|