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newSchoolWorks.com › VoTechWorks › Technology & Design › IT Support / Networking › Operating Systems: Installation, Configuration, and Support › Lesson 5
TEC-ITS43-03 · Lesson 5 · 12.5 clock hours · practice

Windows Command-Line and PowerShell Essentials

Objective. Students will use Command Prompt and PowerShell to perform disk management, file operations, network diagnostics, and system information tasks required for A+ Core 2 exam scenarios.

⚠ Pending professional review

This lesson, its worked examples and its practice questions has not yet been verified by an industry-certified professional or by a certification or approval body. It is a study draft and may contain errors. Do not use it as instructions for work on a job site or on live equipment. Always follow your instructor, your supervising professional, and current official references and regulations.

VoTechWorks program approval and accreditation are still in progress. Credentials are issued only by the certifying bodies named in each program, after their own exams.

Why the Command Line Still Matters

Graphical tools are convenient, but many real-world support tasks are faster, scriptable, and more precise at the command line. Both CompTIA A+ Core 2 and Cisco CCST/CCNA expect you to use Command Prompt and PowerShell fluently. Hiring managers consistently report that candidates who can troubleshoot from the CLI stand out. Learn these tools now and you will carry them throughout your career.

Command Prompt Fundamentals

Command Prompt (`cmd.exe`) is the traditional Windows shell. It runs commands sequentially and is available on every modern Windows version. You must understand the following commands for the A+ Core 2 exam and daily support work.

Navigation and File Operations

Disk Management

Network Diagnostics

PowerShell Essentials

PowerShell is a modern shell and scripting language built on .NET. It uses cmdlets (pronounced "command-lets") with a consistent `Verb-Noun` syntax. PowerShell is the preferred tool for automation, bulk operations, and system inventory.

Key cmdlets for support work

Running scripts safely: PowerShell's execution policy controls whether scripts run. The default is often `Restricted`. For lab work, an instructor may set it to `RemoteSigned` with `Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned`. Never lower the policy to `Unrestricted` on a production machine. Always read a script before running it.

Elevation and Least Privilege

Many commands require an elevated (Administrator) prompt. Right-click Command Prompt or PowerShell and choose Run as administrator. Follow the principle of least privilege: use a standard account for everyday work and elevate only when the task requires it. Running everything as Administrator increases risk from malicious software and accidental commands.

Safety Practices at the Command Line

Connecting to Exam Objectives

CompTIA A+ Core 2 tests your ability to use the command-line tools covered here in realistic scenarios: resolving IP conflicts, checking disk integrity, repairing system files, and gathering system information. Practice until you can recall syntax without notes and interpret output quickly — that skill transfers directly to the timed challenge and to the exam.

Key terms10

Elevated promptA Command Prompt or PowerShell window opened with Administrator privileges, required for commands that modify system files, disks, or security settings.
ipconfig /allA Command Prompt command that displays full IP configuration details for all network adapters, including MAC address, DHCP server, DNS servers, and lease dates.
sfc /scannowSystem File Checker command that scans protected Windows system files and automatically replaces corrupted or missing files from a cached copy; requires an elevated prompt.
diskpartAn interactive Windows command-line tool for managing disks, partitions, and volumes; capable of destructive operations such as deleting partitions, so target selection must be verified carefully.
cmdletA lightweight PowerShell command following Verb-Noun naming (for example, Get-Service); cmdlets return structured objects that can be piped to other cmdlets or exported to files.
Execution policyA PowerShell setting that controls whether and which scripts are allowed to run on a system; common values include Restricted, RemoteSigned, and Unrestricted.
tracertA Windows command-line tool that traces the path packets take to a destination host, displaying each router hop and the round-trip time, useful for diagnosing where a network failure occurs.
netstatA command-line utility that displays active network connections, listening ports, and associated protocol statistics; used to identify open ports and detect unexpected connections.
Least privilegeA security principle stating that users and processes should operate with only the minimum permissions needed for the task, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious damage.
chkdskCheck Disk: a Windows command that scans a volume for file-system errors and bad sectors; the /f switch fixes errors and /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable data.
In class: Guided command drill: students work through a printed command reference card, executing ipconfig /all, ping, tracert, netstat, sfc /scannow, chkdsk, diskpart, and dir in Command Prompt and recording output in their lab logs. · PowerShell scenario: instructor provides a script that creates a folder tree, sets permissions, and exports a system inventory to a text file; students run the script, verify output, and modify one variable to change the output folder. · Timed challenge: each student receives a list of five system tasks (e.g., display MAC address, check disk health, list running services) and must complete all five using only the command line in under 20 minutes.
Materials: Lab PCs running Windows 10/11, command reference card (instructor-prepared), PowerShell script file, lab log template, CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide
Check: Timed challenge results reviewed by instructor: all five tasks completed correctly within 20 minutes; lab log commands and outputs present. Both criteria required to pass.

Practice check8

Answer each question, then check it. Nothing is recorded; this is your own practice.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
1. A technician needs to view the MAC address and DHCP server address of a Windows workstation from the command line. Which command provides this information?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
2. A user reports that Windows is behaving erratically and some system icons are missing. The technician suspects corrupted system files. Which command should be run first to repair them?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
3. A technician is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and wants to identify at which router hop packets are being dropped between the workstation and a remote server. Which command is most appropriate?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
4. Before running chkdsk /f on the C: drive of a running Windows system, the technician is told the scan cannot run immediately. What does this most likely mean?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
5. A technician opens PowerShell and needs to list only the services that are currently running. Which command accomplishes this?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
6. A PowerShell script fails to run and returns the message 'execution of scripts is disabled on this system.' What is the most appropriate corrective action in a controlled lab environment?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
7. While using diskpart to prepare a new hard drive, a technician types 'select disk 1' and is about to create a partition. What is the most important safety check before proceeding?
CompTIA A+ Core 2 — Operating Systems
8. A technician suspects that a workstation is making unauthorized outbound connections. Which command and switch combination will display active connections and the executable responsible for each?
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