Instructions
>_ Command Prompt
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.4602]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\System32>
Services
Name ↕ Description Status ↕ Startup Type
Computer Management
▸System Tools
Event Viewer
Local Users and Groups
Device Manager
▸Storage
Disk Management
▸Services and Applications
Services
Computer Management (Local)
Select an item in the left pane to view and manage system components.

Lab tip: To reach Services, expand Services and Applications and click Services.
Search
12:00 PM
1/22/2026
Pinned
>_
Command Prompt
Computer Management
Run as administrator
Open file location
User Account Control
Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?
Verified publisher: Microsoft Windows
File origin: Hard drive on this computer
Lab Instructions
Tasks
CMD Reference
Comprehensive Lab

Network Troubleshooting & Service Management

Learn to resolve network connectivity issues and manage Windows services.

Step 1 of 5: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Scenario

Your workstation has lost network connectivity and the Print Spooler service has stopped. Complete all troubleshooting tasks to restore functionality.

Task 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

    Network Diagnostics
    ipconfig Show current IP address, subnet mask and default gateway for all adapters.
    ipconfig /all Full adapter info including MAC address, DHCP server, DNS servers and lease times.
    ipconfig /release Release the current DHCP lease — clears the IP from the adapter. First step when renewing a stuck lease. Admin
    ipconfig /renew Request a fresh IP from the DHCP server. Run after /release to fix APIPA (169.254.x.x) addresses. Admin
    ipconfig /flushdns Clears the local DNS resolver cache. Fixes "site not found" errors after DNS changes. Admin
    ping <host> Send 4 ICMP echo requests to test if a host is reachable. Essential first check for any connectivity issue.
    ping -t <host> Continuous ping — runs until you press Ctrl+C. Useful for monitoring intermittent drops in real time.
    tracert <host> Traces the route packets take hop-by-hop. Identifies exactly where a connection is failing between you and the destination.
    nslookup <host> Queries DNS to resolve a hostname to an IP. Use to confirm DNS is working after flushing the cache.
    netstat -an Lists all active TCP/UDP connections and listening ports. Useful for spotting unexpected connections or confirming a service is listening.
    System Health
    sfc /scannow Scans all protected Windows system files and repairs corrupted ones. Run when apps crash unexpectedly or Windows behaves strangely. Admin
    chkdsk Checks the file system and disk for errors. Without flags, read-only — shows issues but doesn't fix them.
    chkdsk /f Fixes file system errors found. Requires a reboot if the volume is in use (which it always is for C:). Admin
    chkdsk /r Locates bad sectors and recovers readable data. Slower than /f — run when you suspect physical disk failure. Admin
    systeminfo Displays detailed system config — OS version, RAM, network adapters, hotfixes. Useful for auditing a machine remotely.
    Policy & Identity
    gpupdate /force Forces an immediate refresh of Group Policy — both computer and user policy. Run after making GPO changes or when policy isn't applying.
    whoami Shows the current logged-in user and domain. Quick way to confirm you're running as admin vs standard user.
    hostname Displays the computer's name. Useful when remoted into an unknown machine.
    net user Lists all local user accounts on the machine. Add a username to see that account's details and group membership.
    Services
    net start Lists all currently running services — a quick alternative to opening the Services MMC snap-in. Admin
    net start <service> Starts a named service from the command line. Faster than navigating to Services for a quick restart. Admin
    net stop <service> Stops a named service. Combine with net start to restart: net stop spooler && net start spooler Admin