However it contains all the standard unix tools (1000+), plus other benifits such as X windows, gnome, and kde as well as all other compilers, java, pearl, python, QT, C, ddd, gdb, and the like. The cygwin window command prompt is the same as windows cmd. This is like running a linux shell on top of windows, actually it just has a bunch of dll's it uses (it still runs off windows, not a linux kernel)