How to Effortlessly Access Command Prompt on Windows Versions

Navigate Windows quickly by mastering Command Prompt, the essential tool for running commands across various versions

By
Tim Fisher
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Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
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Updated on June 25, 2025
Command Prompt tab in Windows Terminal

The Download

  • You can open Command Prompt using the search bar on the taskbar or Start menu.
  • On Windows 11, Command Prompt opens within the Terminal app by default.
  • Use the Win+X menu for quick access to the Command Prompt in Windows 10 and 8.

This article explains how to open Command Prompt, a command-line interface program used to execute commands in Windows operating systems. The instructions apply to Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Open Command Prompt in Windows 11 or 10

There are several ways to open Command Prompt, but using the search bar on the taskbar is one quick method.

Directions vary between Windows versions. If you're unsure which version you have, see What Version of Windows Do I Have?

  1. Select the Start menu (the Windows icon) on the taskbar, or press the Windows key.

  2. Type cmd.

  3. Select Command Prompt from the list.

    "cmd" typed into Windows 11 start menu search box

    If you're using the latest version of Windows 11, Command Prompt will open within Terminal.

Some popular Command Prompt commands include ping, netstat, tracert, shutdown, and attrib. We have a complete list of Windows Command Prompt commands.

Open Command Prompt Through the Start Menu Folder

Another way to open the Windows Command Prompt in Windows 10 is by looking in its Start menu folder. Open the Start menu, select the Windows System folder from the list, and then choose Command Prompt from the folder group.

Command Prompt menu item in Windows System folder in Start menu on Windows 10

Open Command Prompt Using Power User Menu

Another method is through the Power User Menu. If you're using a keyboard or mouse, choose Terminal (Windows 11) or Command Prompt (Windows 10) from the menu that appears after pressing Win+X or right-clicking the Start Menu.

Command Prompt in Windows 10 Power User menu

You might see PowerShell options in the Power User Menu instead of Command Prompt. In more recent Windows 10 versions, Command Prompt has been replaced by PowerShell, but you can switch between PowerShell and Command Prompt from the Power User Menu. Terminal is the replacement in Windows 11.

Open Command Prompt in Windows 8 or 8.1

In Windows 8, you'll find Command Prompt through the Apps screen.

  1. Select the Windows Start button and swipe up to show the Apps screen. You can do the same with a mouse by selecting the down arrow icon at the bottom of the screen.

    If you're using a keyboard or mouse, a quick way to open a Command Prompt window in Windows 8 is through the Power User Menu—hold the WIN and X keys down together, or right-click the Start button, and choose Command Prompt.

    Before the Windows 8.1 update, the Apps screen could be accessed from the Start screen by swiping up from the bottom or right-clicking anywhere, then choosing All apps.

  2. Swipe or scroll to the right on the Apps screen to locate the Windows System section.

  3. Select Command Prompt. You can now execute any command you need to run.

See our list of Windows 8 Command Prompt commands for all commands available through Command Prompt in Windows 8, including short descriptions and links to more detailed information.

Open Command Prompt in Windows 7, Vista, or XP

In these Windows versions, Command Prompt is found in the Start menu folder group.

  1. Open the Start Menu in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

    In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, it's faster to enter command in the Start menu search box, then choose Command Prompt when it appears.

  2. Go to All Programs > Accessories.

  3. Choose Command Prompt from the programs list.

See our list of Windows 7 commands and list of Windows XP commands for command references for those Windows versions.

Other Ways to Open Command Prompt

Command Prompt from Windows 11 through Windows XP can also be opened with a command. This is particularly useful if you prefer using the Run dialog box or if File Explorer has crashed and the Start menu is inaccessible, making the directions above unusable.

To do this, enter cmd into the command-line interface, either in the Run dialog box (WIN+R) or Task Manager's Run new task option, found in the File menu if you're not using Windows 11.

cmd command in Windows task manager

Elevated Command Prompts and Old Windows Versions

Command Prompt doesn't exist in Windows versions prior to XP, like Windows 98 and 95. However, the older and similar MS-DOS Prompt does. This program is in the Start menu and can be opened with the command run.

Some commands, like the sfc command used to repair Windows files, require opening Command Prompt as an administrator first. You'll know this is needed if you receive messages like:

  • Check that you have administrative rights
  • ... Command can only be executed from an elevated command prompt
  • You must be an administrator
sfc scannow elevated prompt message

See How to Open an Elevated Command Prompt for instructions on starting Command Prompt as an administrator, a slightly more complex process than previously outlined.

FAQ

  • How do you change directory in Command Prompt?

    Type the command cd followed by a space and the name of the folder to change directories. For example, assuming you're currently in the Users folder and want to change to the Documents folder, the command is cd Documents. You can also type cd and then drag and drop the folder you want to switch to into Command Prompt.

  • How do you open a command prompt on Mac?

    Instead of Command Prompt, Mac owners use a program called Terminal. To open it, select the Launchpad icon in the Dock and type Terminal in the search field, then select the app. Alternatively, go into Finder and open the /Applications/Utilities folder to find it.

  • How do you copy/paste into Command Prompt?

    You can use the same keyboard shortcuts you use to copy/paste in other programs—CTRL+C and CTRL+V. On Mac, copy the text in another app, then go into Terminal and choose Edit > Paste.

  • How do you open Command Prompt in a folder?

    Go into the folder and Shift+Right-Click in an empty space, then select Open PowerShell window here, or Open in Terminal, to open Command Prompt in a folder. On Mac, right-click the folder and select New Terminal at Folder from the menu.

  • How do you navigate Command Prompt?

    Use the cd command to change directories in Command Prompt. To access another drive, type the drive letter followed by a : (C:, D:, etc.). View the contents of a folder using the dir command.

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