Working in the Windows command line can be like communicating with your computer in its native language. It is a powerful tool, but many users avoid it, considering it inconvenient and slow. However, this is a big misconception. In fact, the command line can be incredibly effective if you know a few little tricks.
The secret to speed is using special key combinations. They completely change the experience, turning routine command entry into a fast and even fun process. Instead of constantly typing everything manually, you can navigate through command history, edit the line, or clear the screen with literally one keystroke.
In this article, we've compiled 34 of the most useful hotkeys for the Windows 10 command line. These combinations will help you copy text, quickly correct mistakes, move the cursor, and much more. Once you master them, you will be surprised at how much easier and more enjoyable your work will become.
The command prompt in Windows 10 is not only a tool for advanced users, but also a way to get things done faster if you know the right keyboard shortcuts. Instead of clicking through the menu with the mouse, you can simply press a couple of buttons and edit the command, insert text, or cancel the action. This article contains 34 useful combinations that will simplify your work: from moving along the line to autocomplete and copying without the clipboard. Master them, and the command line will become your assistant, not a pain.
NTVDMx64
Here are some keyboard shortcuts that are useful for controlling and customizing the appearance of the command prompt window in Windows 10:
To go to the folder, and then
In the vDos installation folder and delete the line
Save the file and only then run vDos.
Running old programs and games from the DOS era in Windows 10 and 11 is quite possible, even if the system doesn't always help with this. The easiest and most reliable way is to use the DOSBox emulator, which “pretends” to be an old computer and runs almost any DOS program or game without any problems. Just download DOSBox, install it, specify the path to the game files, and enter a couple of commands — and everything works as before. An alternative is the built-in compatibility mode in Windows, but it often doesn't work with real DOS applications, so DOSBox remains the best choice for retro enthusiasts.
Command line shortcuts for copying and pasting
CALL DPTEST\STARTDP.BAT
Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Ins – copies the selected text and places it in the clipboard.
As noted above, I wasn't able to run much using vDos in my test, so I'll repeat the screenshot with the file manager, but not from DOSBox. game.exe
Key combinations for selecting text
In Windows 10, the command line also supports a variety of key combinations for selecting text.
Ctrl + A – selects all text from the active command prompt window.
Shift + left arrow – extends or reduces the selected text by one character to the left.
Shift + right arrow – expands or reduces the selected text by one character to the right.
Ctrl + Shift + left arrow – expands or reduces the selected text by one word to the left.
Ctrl + Shift + right arrow – expands or reduces the selected text by one word to the right.
Shift + up arrow – extends or reduces the selected text by one line up.
Shift + down arrow – expands or reduces the selected text by one line down.
Shift + Home – Expands or reduces the text selection to the beginning of the current command. When pressed a second time, expands or reduces the selected text to the beginning of the line.
Shift + End – expands or reduces the selected text to the end of the current command. When pressed a second time, it expands or reduces the selected text to the end of the line.
Ctrl + Shift + Home – extends the selected text to the beginning of the command prompt window.
Ctrl + Shift + End – expands the selected text to the end of the command line window.
Shift + Page Up – expands or reduces the selected text by one page up.
Shift + Page Down – expands or reduces the selected text by one page down.
Navigating text using keyboard shortcuts for the Windows command prompt
In the previous section of this article, we showed you several key combinations that are useful for selecting text. Now it's time to see how you can quickly navigate through text:
Home – Moves the cursor to the beginning of the command.
End – moves the cursor to the end of the line.
Ctrl + left arrow – moves the cursor to the previous word.
Ctrl + right arrow – moves the cursor to the next word.
Ctrl + up arrow – scrolls the command line window up.
Ctrl + down arrow – scrolls down the command line window.
Manage text using command line shortcuts
Sometimes it is useful to know how to manage text. By this we mean things like quickly searching for text fragments, autocompleting your commands, or deleting entire sections of text:
Ctrl + F – opens the Find dialog box, which you can use to enter and search for text in the command line window. If the text you are looking for is found, it is selected automatically.
Tab – Auto-complete folder names. You can press it several times to view all matching folder names in the current path.
Ctrl + End – deletes all text from the current cursor position to the end of the line.
Ctrl + Home – deletes all text from the current cursor position to the beginning of the line.
That's it. These combinations are not just a list of tricks, but a real set of tools that turns working in the command line from a routine into an efficient process. Don't try to remember everything at once. Start with two or three that are most useful to you, such as quickly clearing the screen or searching the command history.
Gradually, as you use it, your fingers will remember the necessary combinations. The main thing is to start applying them in practice. Over time, you will realize how much it speeds up everyday tasks and makes system management more convenient and comfortable.
The command line is a powerful tool, and these hotkeys are your key to using that power effectively. Good luck learning them!
