A .CMD file is a command script file used primarily by the Windows NT family of operating systems (Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11). It is similar to a .BAT file but is executed by the command interpreter CMD.EXE, which provides more advanced scripting capabilities compared to the older COMMAND.COM used for .BAT files in DOS-based systems. CMD files contain a series of commands that are executed sequentially when the file is run. These commands can include internal DOS commands, external executable programs, and other batch files. They are used for automating tasks, performing system administration functions, and creating custom utilities. CMD scripts can handle variables, conditional statements (IF, ELSE), loops (FOR), and subroutines, making them more powerful than simple batch files. They are often used for tasks such as installing software, configuring system settings, backing up data, and performing complex file manipulations. The CMD extension allows for longer filenames and pathnames compared to the older BAT format, and it supports Unicode characters, enabling the use of international character sets within the script. CMD scripts are an essential tool for system administrators and power users who need to automate repetitive tasks or create custom solutions for Windows environments.