Unlock Powerful Windows 11 Features with Hidden Commands

Nishant KG (Systems Engineer)

2 months ago

Windows 11 is packed with features and functionalities that aren’t always visible to the average user. However, beneath the surface lies a treasure trove of powerful commands that can help you uncover detailed system information, optimize performance, and troubleshoot various issues. Lets explore some lesser-known Windows 11 commands that can make you more efficient and help you get more out of your PC.

1. Get Detailed System Information

Command: systeminfo
Description: This command provides detailed information about your system configuration, including OS build, installation date, boot time, and hardware specs.

2. Network Configuration and Status

Command: ipconfig /all
Description: Displays comprehensive network details, including IP addresses, DNS servers, and MAC addresses.

3. Check for File System Errors

Command: chkdsk C: /f
Description: Scans and fixes file system errors on the C: drive. Can be used for other drives by replacing C:.

Commands like chkdsk and dism should be used with caution, as they modify system files and configurations.

4. Display Active Network Connections

Command: netstat -ano
Description: Shows all active network connections along with the PID (Process Identifier), which is useful for troubleshooting network issues.

5. View Wi-Fi Network Passwords

Command: netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi_NAME" key=clear
Description: Reveals the password for a stored Wi-Fi network by replacing "Wi-Fi_NAME" with your Wi-Fi name.

6. List Installed Drivers

Command: driverquery
Description: Lists all the drivers installed on your system, along with their module names, types, and the date they were last modified.

7. Shutdown Computer on a Timer

Command: shutdown /s /t 60
Description: Shuts down your computer after 60 seconds. Replace 60 with the number of seconds you want.

8. Scan System Files for Corruption

Command: sfc /scannow
Description: Runs the System File Checker utility to scan and repair corrupted system files.

9. Check Power Efficiency

Command: powercfg /energy
Description: Generates a power efficiency diagnostic report, listing issues affecting your system’s power consumption.

10. System Performance Report

Command: perfmon /report
Description: Creates a comprehensive performance report, including suggestions for improving system performance.

11. Find and Repair Windows Component Store Issues

Command: dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
Description: Scans for corruption in the Windows component store. For repairing, you can use dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth.

Commands like chkdsk and dism should be used with caution, as they modify system files and configurations.

12. Monitor Active Processes in Real-Time

Command: tasklist
Description: Lists all active processes running on your machine along with their memory usage and PID.

13. Analyse Boot Performance

Command: xbootmgr -trace boot -traceFlags BASE+CSWITCH+DRIVERS+POWER -resultPath C:\BootTrace
Description: An advanced tool to trace the boot process for diagnosing performance issues (requires Windows Performance Toolkit).

These hidden Windows 11 commands are incredibly powerful and can help you unlock the full potential of your system. So, give these a try and see how much more control you can have over your computer’s performance and troubleshooting.

Additional: 30 Must-Know Linux Commands for Command Line Mastery: Unlock Powerful Windows 11 Features with Hidden Commands

FAQs

What precautions should I take before running these commands?

Always ensure you understand what a command does before executing it, as some commands can alter system settings or data. Commands like chkdsk and sfc modify system files and might require a system reboot. It’s a good practice to back up important data before making significant system changes.

How can I generate a battery report on my Windows 11 laptop?

To generate a battery report, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type:
powercfg /batteryreport
This will create a detailed battery report in HTML format and save it in your user directory (e.g., C:\Users\YourUsername\battery-report.html).

How do I find the password of a saved Wi-Fi network?

Use the command:
netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi_NAME" key=clear
Replace "Wi-Fi_NAME" with the name of the Wi-Fi network. This will display the network’s password under the Key Content section, provided the network is saved on your system.

How can I monitor real-time network connections on Windows 11?

Use the command:
netstat -ano
This command lists all active network connections along with the process IDs (PIDs) of applications using them. It’s useful for diagnosing network issues and detecting suspicious activity.

How can I automate shutdowns using the `shutdown` command?

You can schedule a shutdown using the command:
shutdown /s /t 60
This will initiate a shutdown after 60 seconds. Replace 60 with any number of seconds you want to delay. To cancel a scheduled shutdown, use:
shutdown /a.

What does the `dism` command do?

The dism (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command is used to service and repair Windows images, including the Windows Recovery Environment and Windows Setup. Use dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth to check for component store corruption, or dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to repair it.

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