Secret CMD Prompt Tricks and Tips
Table of Contents
Introduction
In this tutorial, we will explore three useful Command Prompt tricks for Windows 10. These tips will help you retrieve your Wi-Fi password, remove the Windows activation watermark, and even play a Star Wars episode right in the Command Prompt window. These tricks are not only fun but also practical for everyday PC usage.
Step 1: Show Wi-Fi Password
To display the Wi-Fi password for the network you are currently connected to, follow these steps:
-
Open Command Prompt:
- Press
Windows + R
to open the Run dialog. - Type
cmd
and pressEnter
.
- Press
-
Enter the command to show the Wi-Fi password:
- Type the following command and hit
Enter
:netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_NETWORK_NAME" key=clear
- Replace
YOUR_NETWORK_NAME
with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network.
- Type the following command and hit
-
Find the password:
- Scroll through the output until you see the line that says
Key Content
. The password will be displayed next to it.
- Scroll through the output until you see the line that says
Tip: Make sure to run Command Prompt as an administrator if you encounter access issues.
Step 2: Remove Windows 10 Activation Watermark
If you want to remove the activation watermark that appears in the corner of your screen, follow these steps:
-
Open Command Prompt as administrator:
- Right-click on the Start button and select
Command Prompt (Admin)
orWindows PowerShell (Admin)
.
- Right-click on the Start button and select
-
Enter the command to remove the watermark:
- Type the following command and press
Enter
:slmgr /upk
- This command uninstalls the product key.
- Type the following command and press
-
Confirm removal:
- You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Common Pitfall: This method may not be permanent and could revert after a system update or reboot. Always ensure you have a valid license for your Windows operating system.
Step 3: Play a Star Wars Episode in Command Prompt
For a fun distraction, you can watch a text-based version of a Star Wars episode in the Command Prompt. Here’s how:
-
Open Command Prompt:
- Press
Windows + R
, typecmd
, and pressEnter
.
- Press
-
Enter the command to play Star Wars:
- Type the following command and hit
Enter
:telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
- If telnet is not enabled, you may need to enable it through Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off > check Telnet Client.
- Type the following command and hit
-
Enjoy the show:
- Watch the classic Star Wars episode play out in ASCII format.
Tip: This is a fun, nostalgic experience, ideal for a quick break or to impress friends.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we covered three Command Prompt tricks for Windows 10: displaying your Wi-Fi password, removing the activation watermark, and playing a Star Wars episode. These tips enhance your PC experience and can be useful for troubleshooting or entertainment. Feel free to explore more CMD commands and discover what else you can do with this versatile tool!