10 Powerful CMD Commands for a Computer System Health Check

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to performing a health check on your Windows PC using powerful Command Prompt (CMD) commands. Whether you're using Windows 10 or Windows 11, these commands will help you assess the performance and stability of your system. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with essential tools to keep your computer running smoothly.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

To start your health check, you need to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

1. Type "cmd" in the Windows search bar.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Check Disk Health

Monitor the status of your physical disk drives to preemptively address any potential failures.

• Run the following command:

  wmic diskdrive get status,model
  

• Check the output for any indications of disk issues.

Step 3: Check Memory Capacity

Ensure your system's memory is functioning optimally.

• Execute this command:

  wmic memorychip get capacity
  

• Review the displayed values to understand your memory configuration.

Step 4: Verify System Uptime

Keep track of how long your system has been stable since the last boot.

• Use this command to find the boot time:

  systeminfo | find "System Boot Time"
  

• Analyze the boot time to gauge system stability.

Step 5: Monitor CPU Usage

Check the current load on your CPU to optimize performance.

• Enter the following command:

  wmic cpu get loadpercentage
  

• Observe the percentage to understand CPU workload.

Step 6: Review Event Logs

Identify critical system errors from the Windows Event Log.

• Use this command:

  wevtutil qe System /c:1 /rd:true /f:text /q:"Event[System[(Level=1 or Level=2)]]"
  

• Look for any critical errors that might need attention.

Step 7: Gather System Information

Get a comprehensive overview of your hardware and software configuration.

• Run:

  systeminfo
  

• Review the output for details on system components, network settings, and updates.

Step 8: Diagnose Network Status

Check your network connectivity and troubleshoot issues.

• To ping a hostname or IP address, use:

  ping [hostname or IP address]
  

• Replace [hostname or IP address] with the actual target.

Step 9: Analyze Network Configuration

Gain insights into your network settings.

• Run:

  ipconfig /all
  

• Examine the configuration details for troubleshooting.

Step 10: Check System Files for Corruption

Ensure the Windows OS is stable by detecting and repairing corrupted files.

• Execute the following command:

  sfc /scannow
  

• Wait for the process to complete and address any issues found.

Step 11: List Running Processes

Identify unauthorized or suspicious processes running on your system.

• Use this command:

  tasklist
  

• Review the list for any unfamiliar processes that may pose a security threat.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively perform a health check on your Windows PC using CMD commands. Regularly monitoring these aspects will help maintain your system’s performance and security. Consider scheduling regular health checks to ensure ongoing stability and reliability. With this toolkit, you are now better prepared to manage your computer’s health.