12 ways to open CMD - Command Prompt easily on Windows

Normally, whenever you want to open the Command Prompt command on Windows 10, the first way you think of is to press the Win + X key combination. However, this is not the only way. You can still apply the methods in the article below of WebTech360 to open the Command Prompt command line interface on Windows 10 more easily.

Here are 12 ways to open cmd.exe on Windows 10

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Win + X key combination

To open Command Prompt, press the Win + X key combination , then select Command Prompt (if you want to start in normal mode) or Command Prompt (Admin) if you want to open this tool in Admin mode.

2. Open Command Prompt with Task Manager

Open Task Manager , select File and then select Run New Task .

On the screen that appears the Create new task dialog box , enter cmd or cmd.exe , select OK to open the Command Prompt command line window in normal mode.

If you want to run the command line window in Admin mode , just check the Create this task with administrative... box.

3. Open CMD in Admin mode on Task Manager with secret operation

To open Command Prompt in Admin mode on Task Manager using a secret operation, press and hold the Ctrl key and select File => Run New Task.

Immediately after that, the Command Prompt window will automatically launch in Admin mode.

4. Open the command line interface on the Search box

You can easily open the Command Prompt window by typing "cmd" in the Search box.

Or alternatively, click on the microphone icon on the Search box in Cortana and say "Launch Command Prompt".

To open Command Prompt in Admin mode , type cmd in the Search box, then right-click and select Run as Administrator.

5. Open Command Prompt on the Start Menu

Open the Start Menu on Windows 10, then click the All apps option in the bottom corner.

Scroll down to find Windows System , then click on Command Prompt .

6. Open Command Prompt on File Explorer

Open File Explorer , then access the path C:\Windows\System32 folder .

Double-click the cmd.exe file to launch a command line window.

7. Open Command Prompt from the Run dialog box

Press Win + R key combination to open Run dialog box . Then type cmd in the dialog box and select OK.

8. Open Command Prompt using Explorer address bar

Open File Explorer , then click on the address bar (or press Alt + D), type the keyword cmd and press Enter . At this time, the Command Prompt command line window will automatically appear and display the path of the folder where the command was just entered.

9. Open Command Prompt using the File Menu

Open File Explorer , then click or open the folder or drive where you want to open the command prompt. Then click the File tab on the Ribbon and select Open command prompt .

Two options will appear on the screen:

• Open Command Prompt : opens a command prompt window in normal mode.
• Open command prompt as administrator : opens a command line window in the selected folder in Admin mode.

10. Open Command Window Here on File Explorer

To open a Command Prompt window in any folder or drive, press and hold the Shift key while right-clicking on that folder or drive.

Alternatively, you can hold down the Shift key and right-click on an empty area in the right interface of File Explorer . An options window will appear on the screen, select Open command window here .

11. Create a shortcut for Command Prompt on the Desktop screen

Right-click any empty space on the Desktop. Then select New > Shortcut .

In the Type the location of the item dialog box , type " cmd.exe ".

Next, click Next , name the shortcut and select Finish.

So you have completed the step of creating a shortcut for the Command Prompt command line window in normal mode.

If you want to launch Command Prompt in Admin mode , right-click on the shortcut you just created and select Properties . A dialog box appears on the screen, click on Advance , check the box Run as administratotr .

12. How to open Command Prompt in a folder

If you're looking to open a Command Prompt window directly in a folder on Windows 10 to initiate some sort of command for that particular part of your setup, there are a few different ways to do it. Here's the quickest way to do it using a shortcut in File Explorer.

Step 1 : On your Windows 10 PC, open the folder you want to open Command Prompt inside.

Step 2 : Press Shift on the keyboard and right click.

Step 3 : Left click on Open PowerShell window here .

Step 4 : Now, you will have a Command Prompt window open in the folder you viewed earlier.

How to open a Terminal window in a folder

The Terminal window is traditionally what refers to the command line on a Mac, but it can also be used on a Windows PC. It’s also sometimes referred to as a simple Command Prompt. Here’s another way to open this Command Prompt (or Terminal window) in a folder on Windows 10.

Step 1 : Open the folder where you want to open the Command Prompt window.

Step 2 : Type cmd into the location bar at the top of the window and press Enter.

Step 3 : Now, Command Prompt will be opened in the desired location.

See also:

• 4 Ways to Make Windows 10 Boot Faster
• How to open the virtual keyboard in Windows 10
• How to turn off Windows 10 automatic update?

Have fun!