Here is a collection of Windows command aliases, transforming some Linux commands to their Windows equivalents.
Often, using the terminal is the quickest and easiest way to solve a problem. Without being an obsessive fanatic of those who do everything by console (and there are “those”), the truth is I use it quite a bit.
On the other hand, I am much more accustomed to Linux commands than Windows ones. Probably because in Linux their use is much more frequent, and once you get used to it, they’re already stuck in your head.
To make my life easier in Windows, and not suffer all day when switching from one OS to another, a little “trick” I have is to create certain aliases for Linux commands to their Windows equivalent.
For example, ls, mv, grep… Simply because it’s easier for me to think of ‘grep’ than ‘findstr’.
It also makes it easier for me to port scripts to other machines, or even adapt ones I find on the Internet.
How to Set Up the Aliases
There are different ways to set up these aliases on your computer. The simplest is to create a command file (.bat or .ps) and copy it to the windows system32 folder.
For example with this CMD command
xcopy *.bat %systemroot%/system32
If you don’t like having “your junk” in system32, you can create another folder to store the scripts, and simply add it to the Path environment variable. To each their own, whichever you prefer.
Linux Command Aliases
Here is a list of the Linux command aliases I create, to be able to use them in Windows.
Alias command clear
Clears the screen
cls %*
Alias command cp
Copy files
copy %*
Alias command grep
Search for text in a file
echo. findstr %*
Alias command ls
List folders and files
dir %*
Alias command mv
Move file
move %*
Alias command rm
Delete a file
del %*
Alias command run
Execute a command or file
echo. cmd /c %*
Alias command touch
Create a new empty file
type nul > %*
Alias command nano
Launch Notepad++
echo. “C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe” %* & exit /b
Other Interesting Aliases
And here are other commands I create, which usually simplify my life.
Alias command ps
Launch PowerShell from CMD
echo. powershell -noexit & cd %*
Alias command vsc
Launch Visual Studio Code
echo. cmd /c code . exit /b
Alias command pap
Open the Recycle Bin
start shell
I leave you the repo on Github with the commands GitHub - luisllamasbinaburo/alias-terminal-linux-en-windows
If I think of any more, or you suggest some, we can expand the list with your favorite commands. Until next time!
