6 Simple Ways to Open the Command Line in Windows

PDF download Download Article
A quick guide to accessing the Windows command prompt (CMD)
PDF download Download Article

The command prompt can be used to execute specific commands and perform advanced functions. If you need to troubleshoot your Windows laptop or computer, you may need to run the command prompt. Luckily, you can launch the Command Prompt (also called CMD, Command Line, Command Line Interface, or CLI) using a variety of easy methods. You must have administrator access to run the command prompt, so you won't be able to do this on school computers or other locked devices. This wikiHow will show you how to get to and open the command prompt (CMD) on your Windows 8, 10, or 11 computer.

Ways to Open CMD in Windows

Search for "Command Prompt" in the taskbar (or Start menu, on older versions of Windows). You can also open it via the Run dialog by pressing Win + R and typing "cmd." On Windows 10 and 11, you can right-click the Windows icon in the taskbar to pull up PowerShell or Terminal.

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Searching for Command Prompt

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don't see the search bar or magnifying glass icon, press the Windows key or click the Start button. You can search for Command Prompt on all supported versions of Windows, such as Windows 8 , Windows 10 , and Windows 11 .
    • If you're using Windows 8, place your mouse cursor in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon when it appears.
  2. Typing into the Start menu will automatically begin a search. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. You should see the Command Prompt icon appear near the top of the Start window. Clicking its icon will open the Command Prompt.
    • If you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator, right-click Command Prompt in the Start menu and click Run as administrator .
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Using Run

PDF download Download Article
  1. On your keyboard, press ⊞ Win + R at the same time. The Run window will open. [2]
    • Alternatively, you can right-click the Start icon (or press ⊞ Win + X ) and click Run .
  2. This is the command to open Command Prompt.
  3. This will run the "cmd.exe" command, which opens Command Prompt.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Via the Taskbar (Windows 10)

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Power User menu appears when you right-click the Windows icon in the taskbar. This menu has a number of options, including one that says Windows PowerShell. PowerShell is similar to Command Prompt, but it's not exactly the same. In order to get Command Prompt back in the Power User menu, follow these steps:
    • Press ⊞ Win + I to open the Settings menu.
    • Click Personalization , which has an icon of a brush on paper.
    • Click Taskbar , which has an icon that looks like the taskbar.
    • Toggle off "Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell."
    • Close the Settings menu.
  2. The Power User menu will appear.
  3. If you need to use Command Prompt as an admin, click Command Prompt (admin) instead.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Via the Taskbar (Windows 11)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will open the Power User menu. In Windows 11, you will see Terminal and Terminal (admin) in the Power User menu instead of Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell (admin) .
    • The Terminal option in this menu still opens Windows PowerShell , the menu name is simply different than Windows 10.
    • Unlike Windows 10, you cannot change Terminal to Command Prompt in this menu like you could change Windows PowerShell to Command Prompt. However, you can still easily access Command Prompt from the Power User menu.
  2. If you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator, choose the admin option.
  3. Next to the tab that says Windows PowerShell , there will be a plus sign, then a dropdown arrow.
  4. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + 2 . This will open Command Prompt in a new tab.
    5. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Navigating to Command Prompt

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're on an older version of Windows, you may need to click the Start button. You can also press the ⊞ Win key.
  2. This folder will be near the bottom of the Start window. [3]
    • On Windows 11, click All apps , then Windows Tools .
  3. It should be near the top of the Windows System folder. This will open Command Prompt. [4]
    • On Windows 11, this will be at the top of the Windows Tools folder.
    • If you're unable to open the Command Prompt, you may need to open as an admin .
    4. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Using File Explorer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Open the File Explorer . You can do this by either clicking the File Explorer icon on your taskbar (which looks like a yellow file folder) or by searching for "File Explorer" in the taskbar (or Start menu) search.
  2. This will be near the top of the window. [5]
    • You might see Quick access in the address bar by default.
  3. This will replace any text in the address bar with your new path. [6]
    • The Command Prompt will open.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I close out Command Prompt?
    ClixTech Australia
    Community Answer
    Type "exit" in the Command Prompt, or press the red "X" in the top right corner, or press Alt+F4 on the keyboard. Check out the Close Command Prompt article for more detailed instructions!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 27
  • Question
    What do I do if I can't use Microsoft Edge and the Start button?
    Community Answer
    Press the Windows Key + R, then type in cmd.exe and hit enter.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How do I stop Windows command prompt from starting up automatically?
    Community Answer
    If it starts up every time, then something is causing it. It may be a program or a shortcut to command prompt that is saved in your Windows start folder. If you want to stop it from appearing altogether by uninstalling it, you won't be able to.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 10
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Command Prompt is a good place to run legacy or specialty software. You might also use it if you're trying to manipulate specific files.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you're using a computer with restricted access to settings and programs, you may not be able to open Command Prompt.
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Run a Program at the Windows Command Prompt: 2 Ways
      How to
      Fix Full Screen in Command Prompt (CMD)
      How to
      Format a USB Using CMD (Command Prompt)
      How to
      Change a Windows Password Using Command Prompt
      How to
      Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD)
      How to
      Run a Windows Batch File from the Command Line (CMD)
      How to
      Add Users from CMD
      How to
      Navigate to a Different Folder in the Command Prompt
      How to
      Use Net Send
      How to
      Watch Star Wars via Telnet: Windows CMD & Mac Terminal
      How to
      Merge Multiple Text Files in Command Prompt, Notepad, & More
      How to
      Use Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python File
      How to
      Copy Files in Command Prompt
      How to
      Add New Options to the Context Menu: Windows 10 & 11
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=13578
      2. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/open-the-command-prompt-in-windows/
      3. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/395081/open-command-prompt-in-windows.html
      4. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/395081/open-command-prompt-in-windows.html
      5. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/395081/open-command-prompt-in-windows.html
      6. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/395081/open-command-prompt-in-windows.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 743,490 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Krys Dubicki

        Dec 11, 2016

        "Need to run the sfc.exe command. Problem is the command prompt (as well as many Win commands) will not stay ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement