Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Windows XP
• Start menu
• Method 2 of 4: Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Start menu
• Method 3 of 4: Windows 8 and 8.1
• Charms bar search function
• Start button context menu
• Method 4 of 4: All versions of Windows
• Open the dialog box
• Shortcut
• Task management
• Batch file
• Folder
• Internet Explorer
• Tips
• Warnings

The Windows Command Prompt allows you to navigate your files and your system using the MS-DOS command line interface. The Command Prompt is a useful tool if you use advanced programs or need to enable system utilities. Read on to learn how to open Command Prompt in Windows.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Windows XP

Start menu

1. Open the start menu. To do this, click on the start button.
2. Click on "All Programs" to view your programs.
3. Click on "Accessories" to view your Windows desktop accessories.
4. Open Command Prompt. Click on "Command Prompt".

Method 2 of 4: Windows Vista and Windows 7

Start menu

1. Open the start menu. To do this, click on the start button.Search Command Prompt. Type "cmd" for this.
2. Open Command Prompt.
   • Click on the first search result to open Command Prompt with Restricted Access.
   • Right-click on the first search result and click "Run as administrator" to open Command Prompt with administrator options.

Method 3 of 4: Windows 8 and 8.1

Charms bar search function

1. Open the search function of the Charms bar. To do this, press ⊞ Win+S. on your keyboard.
2. Find Command Prompt. Type "cmd".
3. Open Command Prompt.
   • Click on the first result to open Command Prompt with Restricted Access.
   • Right-click on the first search result and click "Run as administrator" to open Command Prompt with administrator options.

Start button context menu

1. Right-click on the start button to open the context menu.
2. Open Command Prompt.
   • Click on "Command Prompt" to open Command Prompt with Restricted Access.
   • Click on "Command Prompt (Admin)" to open Command Prompt with administrative options.

Method 4 of 4: All versions of Windows

Open the dialog box

1. Open the dialog box. To do this, press ⊞ Win+R. on your keyboard.
2. Open Command Prompt. Type "cmd" and click OK.
   • Command Prompt will now open with restricted access unless the following message appears: "This task is being performed with administrator privileges".

Shortcut

1. Right-click on an empty spot on your desktop to open the context menu.
2. Open the wizard to create shortcuts. In the context menu, click "New" to open a submenu and then click "Shortcut".
3. Link the shortcut to Command Prompt. At "Enter the location of the file" here: "C: Windows System32 cmd.exe".
4. Proceed to the next step. Click on Next.
5. Choose a name for your shortcut. At "Type here a name for the shortcut" enter the name for your shortcut.
6. Create the shortcut. Click on Finish.
7. Open Command Prompt.
   • Double-click the shortcut to open Command Prompt with Restricted Access.
   • Right-click on the shortcut and click "Run as administrator" to open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

Task management

1. Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc on your keyboard.
2. Maximize Task Manager so that the screen looks like one of the above images.
   • Windows XP, Vista and 7: Double click on the spot indicated in the left image above.
   • Windows 8 and 8.1: Click on "More details".
3. Click on "File" to open the context menu.
4. Open Create new task dialog. Click "Create New Task" in Windows 8 and 8.1 and "New Task" in Windows XP, Vista and 7.
5. Open Command Prompt. Type "cmd" in the dialog box and click OK.
   • Command Prompt will now open with restricted access unless the following message appears: "This task is being performed with administrator privileges".
   • To open Command Prompt in Windows 8 and 8.1 with administrator privileges, check the "Create this task with administrator privileges" box before clicking OK.

Batch file

1. Open the dialog box. To do this, press ⊞ Win+R. on your keyboard.
2. Open Notepad. Type "notepad" in the dialog box and click OK.
3. Type "start" in Notepad.
4. Open the Save as window. Press Ctrl+S. on your keyboard.
5. Maximize the combo box next to "Save as type" and select "All files".
6. In the input field next to "File name", enter a name for the file, followed by a period and "bat".
7. Select the location where you want to save the file.
8. Save the file. Click on Save.
9. Close Notepad. Click on the cross at the top right of the screen.
10. Open Command Prompt using the batch file.
    • Double-click the file to open Command Prompt with Restricted Access.
    • Right-click on the file and click "Run as administrator" to open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

Folder

1. Open the folder you want to open Command Prompt from. In the newer versions of Windows, you can open Command Prompt from any folder of Windows Explorer. This way you can put Command Prompt in a place that you find easiest.
   • Windows XP users can achieve this feature by installing the PowerToy extension. You can find it here.
2. Keep ⇧ Shift and then right-click on an empty spot in the folder. Make sure you don't click an existing file.
3. Select "Open a command window here". Command Prompt will open when you click on the folder.

Internet Explorer

1. Open the dialog box. Press ⊞ Win+R. on your keyboard.
2. Open Internet Explorer. Type "iexplore.exe" in the dialog box and click OK.
3. Type C: Windows System32 cmd.exe in the Internet Explorer address bar and press ↵ Enter.
4. Open Command Prompt. Click Open in the pop-up window that now appears.
   • This will open Command Prompt with limited access.

Tips

• If you can't open Command Prompt, you can try it in the folder C: Windows System32 to open. If that doesn't work, your best bet is to try to restore or reinstall Windows.

Warnings

• Be very careful when using Command Prompt. You can damage your computer with dangerous tricks.