How to launch Command Prompt (standard and admin) on Windows 10
You can open Command Prompt in more than one way, and in this guide, we’ll show you virtually every method to complete this task on Windows 10.
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On Windows 10, Command Prompt has been available for a long time, and it is an essential tool that allows anyone to execute commands to change system settings, run non-graphical tools (such asnetsh, diskpart,netstat,powercfg, dism, sfc, chcksk, etc.), troubleshoot problems, and automate tasks on theirdesktop computeror laptop.
Although opening Command Prompt is easy enough,Windows 10supports many other different ways to launch it, depending on where you are in the system and what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, you can use theStart menu, Search, taskbar, run dialog, File Explorer, Advanced startup, Safe Mode, and even with a shortcut, which you can also use to start CMD quickly with a keyboard combo.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will show you virtually every way you can open Command Prompt on your computer.
How to open Command Prompt with Start menu
To launch Command Prompt from the Start menu, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the command shell will start, allowing you to run commands and scripts on Windows 10.
How to open Command Prompt with Search
To open the Windows 10 command console from the search box, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Command Prompt will open.
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How to open Command Prompt with taskbar
You can also start the command shell from two different places using the Windows 10 taskbar.
Quick Link menu
To open Command Prompt from the Quick Link menu, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the command line environment will launch on the Desktop.
Enable option in Quick Link
If the option is not available in the Start button menu, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Command Prompt options will be available in the Quick Link menu.
Taskbar pin
If the app is pinned to the taskbar, you can click the button to launch the console with standard privileges. However, if you want to launch the console with administrator privileges from the taskbar, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the CMD shell will run with administrative privileges.
Pin Command Prompt to taskbar
If you want to pin the app, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Command Prompt button will pin to the taskbar.
How to open Command Prompt with Run
To start Command Prompt with the Run dialog, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the Run dialog will execute the command and open Command Prompt.
How to open Command Prompt with File Explorer
To open Command Prompt in a specific folder location, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Command Prompt will open in the folder location you executed the command.
System32 folder
You can also access the command shell from the folder location with these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the command shell interface will open like a regular application.
How to open Command Prompt with Task Manager
To launch Command Prompt from Task Manager as standard or admin user, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Command Prompt will open with standard or administrative privileges depending on your selection.
How to open Command Prompt with shortcut
To create a shortcut to launch Command Prompt on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can double-click the shortcut to open Command Prompt on Windows 10.
Run shortcut as admin
If you want to run Command Prompt as an administrator with the shortcut, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, when double-clicking the shortcut, the command line application will start as an administrator.
Run Command Prompt with keyboard shortcut
In addition to running the console as an administrator, you can also configure the shortcut to run Command Prompt with a keyboard shortcut using these steps:
Once you complete the steps, use the keyboard shortcut you specified, wait a short moment, and Command Prompt will launch automatically without additional steps.
How to open Command Prompt with Advanced startup
To launch the Command Prompt from the Advanced startup environment to troubleshoot Windows 10, use these steps:
If you want to close the console and return to Windows 10, use the
command and then click onContinue.
How to open Command Prompt with Safe Mode
To use Command Prompt in Safe Mode to troubleshoot and fix problems on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will start in Safe Mode but only with the Command Prompt without the graphical user interface (GUI).
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
