How to Use the Telnet Client in Windows (2024)

This article describes how to enable Telnet for Windows and how to run Telnet commands.

How to Enable the Windows Telnet Client

Telnet isn't a secure way to communicate with another device, but there are reasons to use it. You can't, however, just open Command Prompt and expect to start executing commands. First, you need to enable Telnet Client through Control Panel.

1. Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu. Or, open the Run dialog box via WIN+R and then enter control.

2. Select Programs. If you don't see that because you're viewing the Control Panel appleticons, choosePrograms and Features instead, and then skip to Step 4.

   

3. SelectPrograms and Features.

   

4. Select Turn Windows features on or off from the left pane.

   

   See Also

   Introduction to TELNET - GeeksforGeeksTelnet Explained: What Is It and How It Works? - ClouDNS BlogTesting port connectivity with TelnetWhat are the main risks of using Telnet over public networks?

5. Select the check box next to Telnet Client.

   

6. Select OK to enable Telnet. When you see the Windows completed the requested changes message, you can close any open dialog boxes.

Execute Telnet Commands in Windows

Telnet commands are easy to execute.After opening Command Prompt, enter the word telnet. The result is a line that says Microsoft Telnet>, which is where commands are entered.

Another way to run a Telnet command is to type telnet followed by any command, such as the ones shown in the examples below. To connect to a Telnet server, enter a command that follows this syntax:

 telnethostnameport

For example, entering telnet textmmode.com 23 connects to textmmode.com on port 23 using Telnet.

Microsoft keepsa list of Telnet commands if you'd like to learn more about how to do things like open and close a Telnet connection, display the Telnet Client settings, and more.

How Does Telnet Work?

Telnet is a network protocol that provides a command-line interpreter to communicate with a device. It's used most often for remote management, but also sometimes for the initial setup for some devices, especially network hardware such as switches and access points.

Telnet originally was used on terminals. These computers require only a keyboard because everything on the screen displays as text. The terminal provides a way to remotely log on to another device, just as if you were sitting in front of it and using it like any other computer.

Nowadays, Telnet can be used from a virtual terminal, or a terminal emulator, which is essentially a modern computer that communicates with the same Telnet protocol. One example of this is the Telnet command, available from the Command Prompt in Windows, which uses the Telnet protocol to communicate with a remote device or system.

Telnet commands can also be executed on other operating systems, such as Linux and macOS, in the same way they're executed in Windows.

Telnet isn't the same as other TCP/IP protocols like HTTP, which transfers files to and from a server. Instead, the Telnet protocol has you log on to a server as if you were an actual user, then grants you direct control and all the same rights to files and applications as the user that you're logged in as.

Telnet Games & Additional Information

There are several Command Prompt tricks you can perform using Telnet. Some of them are in text form, but you may have fun with them.

Play chess at Free Internet Chess Server:

 telnetfreechess.org5000

Use Telnet to talk to an artificially intelligent psychotherapist named Eliza. After connecting to Telehack with the command below, enter eliza when asked to choose one of the listed commands.

 telnettelehack.com

Watch an ASCII version of the full Star Wars Episode IV movie by entering this in Command Prompt:

 telnettowel.blinkenlights.nl

Beyond the fun things that can be done in Telnet are a number of Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). A BBS provides a way to message other users, view news, share files, and more. The Telnet BBS Guide lists hundreds of servers you can connect to using this protocol.