Top Commands for IT Support Technicians (2025 Edition)

As an IT support technician, your ability to troubleshoot issues efficiently can make or break your day. Knowing the proper commands can save you time and demonstrate your technical prowess, whether you're working on Windows, macOS, or Linux systems. In this guide, we’ll cover the top commands every IT support technician needs in 2025, with examples and use cases to keep you ahead of the curve.

1. Network Diagnostics

Windows: ipconfig

• Command:
  ipconfig /all
• Use Case: Quickly displays network adapter details, including IP addresses, subnet masks, and DNS servers.
• Example:
  Use this to check if the device has the correct IP configuration when troubleshooting connectivity issues.

Linux/macOS: ifconfig / ip

• Command:
  ifconfig or ip addr show
• Use Case: View and configure network interfaces.
• Example:
  Use ip addr show to verify network settings on Linux servers.

Cross-Platform: ping

• Command:
  ping <hostname or IP>
• Use Case: Test connectivity between devices.
• Example:
  ping google.com checks internet connectivity.

2. File System Navigation

Windows: dir

• Command:
  dir
• Use Case: Lists files and directories in the current folder.
• Example:
  dir /s shows all files, including subdirectories.

Linux/macOS: ls

• Command:
  ls -lah
• Use Case: Displays file and directory details, including permissions and sizes.
• Example:
  Use ls -lah for a detailed view of folder contents.

Cross-Platform: cd

• Command:
  cd <directory>
• Use Case: Change the working directory.
• Example:
  cd Documents navigates to the Documents folder.

3. Process Management

Windows: tasklist

• Command:
  tasklist
• Use Case: Lists all running processes on the system.
• Example:
  Combine with taskkill to terminate processes:
  taskkill /F /IM notepad.exe.

Linux/macOS: ps / top

• Command:
  ps aux or top
• Use Case: Displays running processes and resource usage.
• Example:
  Use top to monitor system performance in real-time.

4. Disk Management

Windows: diskpart

• Command:
  diskpart
• Use Case: Manage disks and partitions.
• Example:
  Use list disk to view available drives and select disk to choose a specific one.

Linux: df / du

• Command:
  df -h or du -sh
• Use Case: Check disk space usage.
• Example:
  Use du -sh * to find which directories are using the most space.

5. System Information

Windows: systeminfo

• Command:
  systeminfo
• Use Case: Provides detailed system specifications.
• Example:
  Use to verify OS version, uptime, and installed hotfixes.

Linux/macOS: uname

• Command:
  uname -a
• Use Case: Displays system information, including kernel version.
• Example:
  Use uname -r to check the kernel version.

6. Remote Access

Windows: mstsc

• Command:
  mstsc
• Use Case: Opens the Remote Desktop Connection tool.
• Example:
  mstsc /v:<IP> connects to a remote Windows system.

Linux/macOS: ssh

• Command:
  ssh user@hostname
• Use Case: Securely access remote systems.
• Example:
  ssh admin@192.168.1.100 connects to a remote server.

7. Package Management

Windows: winget

• Command:
  winget install <package>
• Use Case: Install and manage applications.
• Example:
  winget install vscode installs Visual Studio Code.

Linux: apt / yum

• Command:
  apt install <package> or yum install <package>
• Use Case: Install and manage software on Linux.
• Example:
  sudo apt install curl installs the Curl package.

8. Troubleshooting Tools

Windows: sfc and chkdsk

• Commands:
  • sfc /scannow
  • chkdsk /f
• Use Case: Repairs system files and checks disk integrity.
• Example:
  Use these commands to resolve file corruption or disk errors.

Linux: dmesg

• Command:
  dmesg
• Use Case: Displays system logs for troubleshooting.
• Example:
  Use dmesg | grep error to search for hardware-related issues.

9. Advanced Networking

Cross-Platform: traceroute / tracert

• Command:
  tracert <hostname> (Windows)
  traceroute <hostname> (Linux/macOS)
• Use Case: Maps the path packets take to reach a destination.
• Example:
  Use to diagnose network latency or routing issues.

Linux/macOS: netstat

• Command:
  netstat -tuln
• Use Case: View active connections and listening ports.
• Example:
  Use netstat to identify open ports on a server.

10. Bonus: Custom Scripts

• Batch or Shell Scripts: Automate repetitive tasks like backups or updates.
• PowerShell: Create scripts for advanced Windows automation.

Conclusion

Mastering these commands will make you an invaluable resource for any IT support team. These tools form the backbone of effective troubleshooting, from diagnosing network issues to managing remote systems. Bookmark this guide, and don’t forget to practice these commands regularly to stay sharp!

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