Windows

Introduction Working effectively with Windows systems from a security or administration perspective requires a solid understanding of the available command-line interfaces. Unlike graphical tools, command-line environments expose the operating system in a direct and scriptable way, allowing fine‑grained control over system behavior, configuration, and automation. Windows ships with two primary command-line interfaces: Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and PowerShell. While both provide access to the underlying operating system, they differ significantly in design philosophy, capabilities, and use cases. Understanding when and how to use each one is a foundational skill for system administrators, blue team operators, and penetration testers alike. ...

Reference & Disclaimer This article is based on my personal study notes from the Information Security Foundations track. Due to scope and readability constraints, theoretical explanations, command details, output interpretation, and script code examples are intentionally highly summarized in this article. For full explanations, complete command usage, real outputs, and detailed script implementations, readers are strongly encouraged to consult the full repository. Full repository: https://github.com/lameiro0x/pentesting-path-htb Introduction Windows privilege escalation is about moving from a low-privilege shell to local admin or SYSTEM. It often succeeds because of weak permissions, misconfigured services, or excessive group rights. This guide merges theory and commands into a practical workflow. ...