Academy · Free course

Windows Course (CMD and PowerShell)

The Windows console from zero to administration: files, network, processes, services, users, disks and PowerShell. 17 self-grading lessons.

To teach or study seriously, go full screen: it looks much better.

CMD / PowerShell practice terminal — everything is simulated, nothing touches your PC.
Type help to see the commands, or pick a guided lesson to start.
Open more terminals with start cmd: tabs share the drive and talk with msg.
C:\Users\Estudiante>
↑/↓ history · Tab completes (2× lists options) · F7 history menu · F8 by prefix · F3 repeats last · F1 char by char · Ctrl+R search (PowerShell) · select to copy · right-click to paste · start cmd opens a tab sharing the drive · msg sends messages
What this terminal is and where it ends
  • It is a teaching simulator: there is an in-memory virtual filesystem. Nothing you type touches your computer, your network or any real data.
  • Tabs share the same virtual C: drive (like real windows on a machine). MSG delivers messages only between tabs open here.
  • Network commands (ipconfig, ping, nslookup, netstat, tracert) show sample values so you learn to read them, not your real connection.
  • Lesson progress and command history are stored only in your browser (localStorage).
  • Mind the real-world difference: no permissions, antivirus or real disks here. On a real PC, DEL and RD delete for real.

Want Linux too?

The Academy has Basic and Intermediate Linux courses, with the same built-in terminal.

See the Linux courses

The full syllabus

1 · First steps

Move around, create, organize and ask for help.

  • ›Lesson 1 · Moving around
  • ›Lesson 2 · Create and delete
  • ›Lesson 3 · Copy and move
  • ›Lesson 7 · Help, version and screen

2 · Files and text

Search, redirect, variables and attributes.

  • ›Lesson 8 · Search files and text
  • ›Lesson 9 · Redirection and pipes
  • ›Lesson 10 · Variables and environment
  • ›Lesson 11 · Attributes and permissions

3 · System and services

Computer, processes, services and disk health.

  • ›Lesson 4 · System and network
  • ›Lesson 12 · Processes
  • ›Lesson 13 · Services
  • ›Lesson 17 · Disks and system health

4 · Networking

Network diagnostics and configuration.

  • ›Lesson 14 · Network diagnostics
  • ›Lesson 15 · Networking and network PowerShell

5 · Users and sessions

Accounts, groups and multiple terminals.

  • ›Lesson 16 · Users and groups
  • ›Lesson 6 · Multiple terminals

6 · PowerShell

The essential cmdlets of the modern console.

  • ›Lesson 5 · PowerShell

FAQ

Do I need to install anything?

No. The simulator (CMD and PowerShell) is embedded in the page and everything runs inside your browser. Nothing touches your computer.

What will I know when I finish?

Moving around the system, creating and organizing files, searching, using variables and attributes, managing processes and services, diagnosing and configuring the network, working with users and groups, checking disks and using the essential PowerShell cmdlets.

Is the course free?

Yes, all of it: the 17 lessons, the terminal and your progress saved in your browser.

Does it apply to servers too?

The commands are the same on client and server; it is a solid base for Windows network administration.

About the simulation
  • The terminal is a teaching simulator: an in-memory virtual C: drive. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
  • Network, users and services show sample values to learn from, not your real machine's.