This guide covers essential Windows networking commands used for troubleshooting, diagnostics, and configuration.
Tests connectivity to another host (IP/domain).
ping google.com
Displays IP address, subnet, gateway, and DNS details.
ipconfig
ipconfig /all # Detailed adapter info
ipconfig /release # Release IP
ipconfig /renew # Renew IP
ipconfig /flushdns # Clear DNS cache
Queries DNS to find the IP of a domain.
nslookup google.com
Traces the path packets take to a destination.
tracert google.com
Displays active network connections and ports.
netstat -ano
-a : Show all connections-n : Show IPs (no DNS resolution)-o : Show process ID using the connectionDisplays or modifies the ARP cache.
arp -a
Displays and modifies the IP routing table.
route print
Configures advanced network settings.
netsh interface ip show config
netsh wlan show profiles # List saved Wi-Fi profiles
netsh advfirewall show allprofiles # Show firewall settings
| Command | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
ping |
Check connectivity | ping 8.8.8.8 |
ipconfig |
View/set IP configuration | ipconfig /all |
nslookup |
DNS lookup | nslookup example.com |
tracert |
Trace route to host | tracert yahoo.com |
netstat |
View active connections | netstat -ano |
arp |
View IP-to-MAC mappings | arp -a |
route |
View routing table | route print |
netsh |
Configure network interfaces | netsh wlan show profiles |
These basic networking commands are crucial for diagnosing connectivity issues, managing configurations, and understanding how your system interacts with the network.
Use them frequently to become proficient in Windows network troubleshooting.