5 Simple Ways to Open the Command Prompt in Windows

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A quick guide to accessing the Windows command prompt (CMD)

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: June 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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Searching for Command Prompt

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Using the Run Program

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Navigating to Command Prompt

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Using the File Explorer

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Running as Administrator

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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 CMD 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.

Things You Should Know

Open the "Start" menu and type "cmd". Click "Command Prompt".
Press "Windows" + "R" to open the Run program. Type "cmd" and press "Enter".
Open the "Start" menu. Click "Windows System" folder to expand it. Click "Command Prompt".

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Searching for Command Prompt

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1
Open Start

. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the Windows key. You can search for Command Prompt on all supported versions of Windows, such as Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.^{[1]
X
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- 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.
Typing into the Start menu will automatically begin a search.

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Click

Command Prompt. You should see the Command Prompt icon appear near the top of the Start window. Clicking its icon will open the Command Prompt.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using the Run Program

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1
Open the Run program. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R at the same time. The Run window will open.
- Alternatively, you can right-click the Start icon (or press Windows + X) and click Run.
This is the command to open Command Prompt.
3
Click OK or press ↵ Enter. This will run the "cmd.exe" command, which opens Command Prompt.
- You'll now be able to use CMD.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Navigating to Command Prompt

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1
Open the Start

menu. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can also press the Windows key.
- On Windows 11, this can be found at the bottom center of the screen.
2
Scroll down to Windows System and click it. This folder will be near the bottom of the Start window.
- On Windows 11, click All apps, then Windows Tools.
3
Click

Command Prompt. It should be near the top of the Windows System folder. This will open Command Prompt.
- 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.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using the File Explorer

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1
Open the File Explorer. Click the Start menu and type in "file explorer". Click File Explorer to open it.
- If you have the shortcut pinned to your taskbar, right-click the icon and click File Explorer to open a new window.
2
Click the address bar. This will be near the top of the window.
- You might see Quick access in the address bar by default.
3
Type cmd and press ↵ Enter. This will replace any text in the address bar with your new path.
- The Command Prompt will open.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Running as Administrator

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Click the Start menu and type cmd. The search result will appear in the menu.
A pop-up menu will open.
You can now use the Command Prompt as an administrator, which gives you access to more permissions and commands.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I close out Command Prompt?

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Warnings

If you're using a computer with restricted access to settings and programs, you may not be able to open Command Prompt.

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