Initial Core 2 study project

notes/OS-4-windows-command-line.md

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+# OS-4: Windows Command Line
+
+Status: not started
+
+Domain:
+- 1.0 Operating Systems
+
+Objective alignment:
+- 1.5 Windows command-line tools
+- 1.7 Windows networking basics
+- 3.1 Windows troubleshooting support
+
+## What You Need To Know
+
+Core 2 command questions usually ask, "Which command would you use?"
+
+Think in buckets:
+- **Navigation**: move around files and folders.
+- **Network**: check IP address, connectivity, DNS, routes, and connections.
+- **Disk/file repair**: check file systems and system files.
+- **Identity/system info**: computer name, signed-in user, Windows version.
+- **Group Policy**: update or report applied policies.
+- **Help**: find command syntax.
+
+Some commands are safe to run anytime. Others can change disks or files, so use them carefully.
+
+## Memory Tricks
+
+- **`ipconfig` = IP configuration.**
+- **`ping` = "Are you alive?"**
+- **`tracert` = trace route.**
+- **`nslookup` = name server lookup.**
+- **`netstat` = network statistics.**
+- **`chkdsk` = check disk.**
+- **`sfc` = system file checker.**
+- **`gpupdate` = Group Policy update.**
+- **`gpresult` = Group Policy result.**
+- **`/?` = "How do I use this?"**
+
+## Commands To Enter
+
+Enter these on Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
+
+### Navigation
+
+```powershell
+dir
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Lists files and folders in the current directory.
+- Similar Linux command: `ls`.
+
+```powershell
+cd
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows or changes the current directory.
+- `cd ..` moves up one folder.
+
+```powershell
+mkdir test-folder
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Creates a folder named `test-folder`.
+- `md` does the same thing.
+
+```powershell
+rmdir test-folder
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Removes an empty folder.
+- `rd` does the same thing.
+
+### Network
+
+```powershell
+ipconfig
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for network adapters.
+
+```powershell
+ipconfig /all
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows detailed adapter info, including MAC address, DNS servers, DHCP status, and lease details.
+
+```powershell
+ping 127.0.0.1
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Tests the local TCP/IP stack using the loopback address.
+- If this fails, the local networking stack has a problem.
+
+```powershell
+ping 8.8.8.8
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Tests basic IP connectivity to an external address.
+- If this works but names do not, suspect DNS.
+
+```powershell
+nslookup example.com
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Queries DNS for a hostname.
+- Useful when websites fail by name but IP connectivity works.
+
+```powershell
+tracert example.com
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows the router hops toward a destination.
+- Useful for finding where a path may stop.
+
+```powershell
+pathping example.com
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Combines route tracing with packet-loss statistics.
+- Takes longer than `tracert`.
+
+```powershell
+netstat -ano
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows active connections and listening ports.
+- `-a` shows all connections/listeners.
+- `-n` keeps addresses numeric.
+- `-o` shows process IDs.
+
+### Disk and File Repair
+
+```powershell
+chkdsk
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Checks the disk file system status.
+
+```powershell
+chkdsk /f
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Fixes logical file system errors.
+- May need to run at startup if the drive is locked.
+
+```powershell
+chkdsk /r
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Looks for bad sectors and recovers readable information.
+- Includes `/f`.
+- Can take a long time.
+
+```powershell
+sfc /scannow
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Scans protected Windows system files and repairs them when possible.
+
+### Identity and System Info
+
+```powershell
+hostname
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows the computer name.
+
+```powershell
+whoami
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows the current user.
+
+```powershell
+whoami /all
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows current user, groups, privileges, and security identifier details.
+
+```powershell
+winver
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Opens the Windows version/build dialog.
+
+### Group Policy
+
+```powershell
+gpupdate /force
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Forces a Group Policy refresh.
+- Most relevant on domain-joined business systems.
+
+```powershell
+gpresult /r
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows Resultant Set of Policy summary for the user/computer.
+- Use it to verify what policies applied.
+
+### Help
+
+```powershell
+ipconfig /?
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows help and syntax for `ipconfig`.
+- Most Windows commands support `/?`.
+
+```powershell
+help dir
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Shows help for the `dir` command.
+
+## Commands To Know But Treat Carefully
+
+```powershell
+format
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Formats a volume.
+- Warning: this can erase data.
+
+```powershell
+diskpart
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Opens a powerful disk partitioning tool.
+- Warning: incorrect commands can erase partitions or make a system unbootable.
+
+```powershell
+robocopy
+```
+
+What it does:
+- Copies files and folders robustly.
+- Useful for backups and migrations.
+- Be careful with mirror options because they can delete destination files.
+
+## Linux Comparison Commands
+
+```bash
+ls
+pwd
+cd
+mkdir test-folder
+rmdir test-folder
+ip addr
+ping 127.0.0.1
+traceroute example.com
+dig example.com
+df -h
+du -h
+ps aux
+top
+```
+
+Why this matters:
+- Linux command practice helps you understand the same troubleshooting ideas across operating systems.
+- Exact commands differ, but the goal is often the same: identify the system, check network state, inspect storage, and view running processes.
+
+## Mini Lab
+
+Goal:
+- Practice safe command-line troubleshooting.
+
+Windows:
+1. Run `hostname`.
+2. Run `whoami`.
+3. Run `winver`.
+4. Run `ipconfig`.
+5. Run `ipconfig /all`.
+6. Run `ping 127.0.0.1`.
+7. Run `nslookup example.com`.
+8. Run `netstat -ano`.
+9. Run `sfc /scannow`.
+10. Run `ipconfig /?`.
+
+Record:
+- Computer name:
+- Current user:
+- IPv4 address:
+- Default gateway:
+- DNS server:
+- Did loopback ping work?
+- Did DNS lookup work?
+- One listening port from `netstat -ano`:
+
+Linux:
+1. Run `hostname`.
+2. Run `whoami`.
+3. Run `ip addr`.
+4. Run `ping -c 4 127.0.0.1`.
+5. Run `df -h`.
+6. Run `ps aux`.
+7. Run `top`, then press `q`.
+
+Record:
+- Hostname:
+- Current user:
+- IP address:
+- Root filesystem free space:
+- One running process:
+
+## Quick Check Before Quiz
+
+You are ready for the OS-4 quiz when you can answer these without looking:
+- Which command shows full Windows IP configuration?
+- Which command tests DNS name resolution?
+- Which command shows active connections and process IDs?
+- Which command repairs protected Windows system files?
+- Which command forces Group Policy refresh?
+- Which commands can erase data if misused?
+