The difference between Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell

Operating systems, including Windows, can depend on at least one command line . In fact, most users can manage their system without ever using that command line.

On Windows, the two most common commands are Command Prompt and PowerShell . While they may look similar on the surface, they are actually quite different. There are many differences between Command Prompt and PowerShell .

Here's everything you need to know about the differences between Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell.

The difference between Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell

Command Prompt

Starting with Windows NT and later versions, Windows was equipped with a command-line interpreter called cmd.exe, also known as Command Prompt. With Command Prompt, users can interact with the operating system using CMD commands and text-based parameters.

Although Command Prompt 'came first', it wasn't the first command. Earlier versions of Windows (Windows 95, 98, and ME) had a rudimentary command-line compiler called COMMAND.COM, known as MS-DOS.

It could be said that Command Prompt is a significant step forward from the outdated MS-DOS compiler.

Despite the nature of Windows, the command line has never been—and never will be—obsolete. Command lines offer a level of power and flexibility without needing to access an interface (such as batch scripts), and depending on the user's skill level, you can get the job done faster by opening CMD and using these compiler commands.

For example, some common tasks are easier to perform using Command Prompt, such as running programs, renaming drives, defragmenting, etc. Additionally, there are some basic commands that users should know to troubleshoot problems.

If you're new to the command line, it's advisable to carefully read the beginner's guide for Command Prompt. Using commands is easier than you might think.

Command Prompt is more than enough for the average user, however some more advanced users want more – which is why alternative commands like Console exist. Luckily for all of us, Microsoft has a better answer: PowerShell.

PowerShell takes things to a new level.

If we compare Command Prompt to the legendary Motorola Razr launched in 2004, then PowerShell is the Motorola Moto X launched in 2015. PowerShell can do many of the same things as Command Prompt and more. While PowerShell may not be the best command-line compiler, it's certainly powerful enough to satisfy most users.

The 'seed' of PowerShell was 'planted' in 2002 when Microsoft began working on Microsoft Shell, also known as Monad, designed for user expansion. Monad was released in 2005 and eventually renamed PowerShell in 2006. At the same time, Microsoft integrated PowerShell into its operating system.

What does PowerShell mean?

PowerShell allows you to create your own commands and scripts using the C# programming language. Both PowerShell and C# are integrated with the Microsoft .NET Framework, meaning you can access a wealth of available functions and tools to help create better commands and scripts without much effort.

PowerShell improvements in Windows 10

With those inherent benefits, PowerShell has been further improved in the officially released version of Windows 10. Here are some of the highlights you can expect:

PackageManagement: A package manager is a convenient solution for managing all the software you download, install, and uninstall. Instead of jumping from one website to another, you can simply browse packages using PackageManagement (formerly known as OneGet). By subscribing to different repositories, you can choose from a variety of available packages.

OneGet is available on Windows 8.1, but only if you have Windows Management Framework 5.0 installed. On Windows 10, PackageManagement is integrated into the system by default.

Secure Shell (SSH): Secure Shell is a protocol primarily used to establish encrypted connections between remote systems. Without SSH, outsiders could easily intercept data as it is being transmitted.

Until now, SSH on Windows required the use of a third-party solution (e.g., PuTTY), but the PowerShell team has stated that they will be implementing SSH support on Windows. It took some time, but it seems Windows is finally catching up.

PowerShell features : With version 5.0, the PowerShell language itself is being upgraded with new features such as: classes and enums, new built-in commands, extensions to existing commands, console syntax highlighting, and many more.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you can better understand the differences between Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell. If you are still wondering: PowerShell is a tool for advanced, experienced users, while Command Prompt is a tool for all users of varying skill levels.