Credit: Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf

You may assume the command line is only for system admins or developers; but for any power user, it’s a great tool if you need to automate installs, clean up clutter, or transcode media. With the right command-line tools, you can create an efficient workflow using text commands.

After several years of using Windows, I’ve discovered some real command-line gems that make my PC faster, cleaner, and more efficient. They’re almost endlessly flexible and have saved me from repetitive clicks. I recommend some of them to anyone who needs to move beyond the GUI and truly command the computer.

Dust

See what’s eating up your disk space

Dust is the command-line tool that gives clarity on disk usage, like if you need to know why your SSD is always running out of space. This utility allows you to visualize disk usage in a color-coded, hierarchical tree, making it easier to identify folders or files that are hogging space. It’s a modern, Rust-based alternative to the classic “du” command and older tools like Microsoft’s Sysinternals Du.

If you run the command dust c:, the tool will scan the C drive, displaying the scan results in an intuitive format. You get folder sizes, usage percentages, and a visual bar representation. You may add flags to get more out of this command. For instance, using dust -d 2 limits the scan to two levels of subdirectories—the current folder and the next two levels down. This flag allows me to focus on high-level space consumption without getting overwhelmed by every single file. I use **dust -r **to revert the sort order.

I use this tool whenever I suspect a folder has ballooned over time or if I need to clean up after a large installation. Dust runs almost instantly and doesn’t need admin rights. It scores extra points for being open source, and it’s quite elegant yet lightweight. It’s good to note that GUI-based tools like WinDirStat and WizTree offer similar insights visually. However, you may prefer Dust because it provides a faster, text-based view that works entirely from the terminal.

To use this tool, install it with WinGet:

winget install --id=bootandy.dust -e

FFmpeg

The command-line tool for all your media conversions

If you work with audio or video files, you should use the FFmpeg utility. This complete multimedia framework converts, compresses, records, and streams almost all formats you can think of. Without opening a graphical editor, FFmpeg helps me extract audio, convert .mkv files to .mp4, and trim clips. For example, the command: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -ss 00:01:00 -to 00:02:00 -c copy clip.mp4 will instantly cut a one-minute clip.

I like that it’s actively developed and open source, but what’s more impressive is its support for a wide range of codecs. This is not surprising, as it’s the engine behind popular tools like VLC and HandBrake.

The one downside is its steep learning curve, but once you overcome this, it becomes indispensable. I use it to automate video conversions and clean up large batches of media files. You’ll get professional-level control if you handle media files regularly.

The easiest way to get this tool is via WinGet:

winget install ffmpeg

Speedtest CLI

Test your internet speed without a browser

There are times when I need to quickly check my internet speed without opening a browser. The Speedtest CLI utility by Ookla is the tool I use. It uses the same backend as the official Speedtest.net site but ensures I don’t have to deal with ads. You get the same accurate results, but it’s faster and gives you the power to script or automate the command. To install it, run the WinGet command:

winget install --id Ookla.Speedtest.CLI -e

After that, running the command **speedtest **displays your upload and download speeds. You may use the command speedtest –server-id [ID] to specify a server, or run the command speedtest –format=json if you need to export results in JSON format.

I use Speedtest CLI a lot for network troubleshooting or verifying an IP claim. I may run a few tests back to back on days when the connection is sluggish, then pipe the results to a text file where I can compare.

Rclone

Sync files across cloud storage from the terminal

You should use Rclone if you need to manage files across multiple cloud services. This command-line tool is your universal cloud manager, connecting Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Mega, and even S3-compatible storage. You install it with the command below:

winget install rclone

After installation, you may run rclone config to add accounts. Running rclone copy “C:\Backups” remote:MyDrive will upload files to mirror directories. However, what stands out is that the command-line tool supports encryption, scheduled syncs, and bandwidth limits.

This utility is important to me because I can back up project folders and sync them across devices without installing individual apps. It’s light on resources and very reliable, but it goes beyond basic transfers. You may serve files over HTTP or mount cloud storage as a virtual drive.

Level up your Windows workflow with command-line tools

These tools are not mere utilities; they present a faster, cleaner, and more efficient way of experiencing Windows. They automate repetitive tasks, simplify installations, and reduce the load of complex workflows.

These utilities are powerful, and once you’re willing to move beyond the GUI, they give you greater control and unlock numerous options. For convenience, I’ve also tried out several FFmpeg-powered apps—they offer a workaround to using the powerful tool without actually typing commands.