25/11/2025
Essential IT Support Commands Every Beginner Should Know:
- Starting out in IT Support can feel like you’re suddenly responsible for saving the entire planet… one slow PC and one angry “why is the WiFi down?” employee at a time.
But here’s the good news: most of the daily chaos and problems can be handled with literally a few simple commands. Think of these like your toolbox, your cheat codes, your “I actually know what I’m doing” buttons.
🖥️ When the PC is running slow
- When a computer starts acting like it needs coffee, these commands help you find the problem and smooth things out.
• temp – System temporary files, highlight all and delete them because they'll only take up space and slow your pc
• %temp% – User temporary files (the ones people forget exist), same as temp, you don't need it.
• prefetch – Cached program files
• cleanmgr – Disk Cleanup
• taskmgr – Check who’s eating the CPU like a buffet
• msconfig – Control startup programs
• services.msc – Stop heavy or stuck services
• control update – Check for updates that the system has been nagging about
• sfc /scannow – Scan and repair system files
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth – Deep repair magic
• chkdsk /f – Fix disk issues
• powercfg.cpl – Power settings (yes, power-saving mode can slow things down)
✅ Use when: the PC freezes, lags, takes 3 years to boot, or sounds like it’s preparing for takeoff.
🌐 When you’re facing network issues
- Internet not working? Users panicking? Perfect time to shine.
• ping – See if the connection is alive
• ipconfig – IP details
• ipconfig /release + ipconfig /renew – Reset your IP like a fresh start
• ipconfig /flushdns – Clear bad DNS cache
• nslookup – Check if DNS knows the domain
• tracert – Find where the connection is dying
• netsh winsock reset – Network stack reset (the “please work” command)
✅ Use when: websites don’t load, the internet keeps dropping, DNS acts confused, or users start blaming you personally.
🛠️ General system troubleshooting
- The behind-the-scenes tools that help you figure out what Windows is hiding.
• eventvwr – Views system and application logs
• tasklist – View processes running
• wmic diskdrive get status – Quick disk health check
• control firewall.cpl – Firewall settings
• devmgmt.msc – Device Manager (drivers, drivers, drivers)
In the end, these commands won’t turn you into a senior engineer overnight, but they will make your life way easier. They help you work smarter, troubleshoot faster, and look confident even when the printer starts making noises you’ve never heard before.
Trust me ... Master these, and you’re already ahead of half the room.
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