Back in the heyday of text-based operating systems like Unix and DOS, the command prompt was the operating system. When the most successful graphical operating systems, the various Apple Mac and Windows incarnations came along, they triggered a massive increase in the popularity of computers by simplifying the whole process of using them. No longer did users have to memorize reams of commands in order to simply configure and navigate around their computers.

In this PCstats Guide, we will show you how to access and use the Windows XP/2000 command prompt and reveal some useful commands for administering your system with it. If nothing else, you'll come out of this article with the ability to navigate the command prompt, which may save you endless frustration somewhere down the road. Keyboard's ready? Let's begin!