cmd commands 'not reconized...'

Well every time I type in a command it says " '____' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file" and I was wondering how I might go about fixing this...

I'm not really sure what caused it, or when it happened since I never really use it but it would be nice to fix it.

Thanks.

edit: I know how to spell recognized...

 

I was hoping someone with a bit more direct knowledge would reply but I can give you a basic troubleshooting idea.

A path is the list of directories that Windows searches to find and match the name of the command you are trying to execute. If your path is not complete Windows can't find the program to run to execute the command.

It sounds like your path is not including the directories that contain certain commands. (What commands are you trying to execute? If you post a couple of examples it would help). Many are contained in C:\Windows\System32. You could try entering this directory at the command prompt and then typing the name of your command. In the cmd window: CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 then enter your command at the new C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32> prompt to see if it runs.

When I type SET PATH at the command prompt my path looks like this: Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem
PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH

Does yours look similar when typing SET PATH at the command prompt?

 

One could always at the cmd prompt type in --->help<--- to get a list of commands one could use.