How to Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10)

This article explains the simple steps for opening Command Prompt via your keyboard.

Things You Should Know

  • For a regular command prompt window, press ⊞ Win+X. A context menu should pop up—once you see it, press C.
  • For an administrator command prompt window, press ⊞ Win+X. When the context menu appears, press A.
  • Authorize the access in the User Account Control window if requested. You may need to enter your password.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Opening a Regular Command Prompt Window

  1. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 1
    1
    Press and hold the ⊞ Win key.
  2. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 2
    2
    Press and hold the X key.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 3
    3
    Release the two keys. A context menu should appear in the lower-left corner of your screen, just above the Start
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    button.
  4. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 4
    4
    Press the C key.
  5. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 5
    5
    Begin using the Command Prompt. Type a command into the Command Prompt window and hit ↵ Enter to initiate it.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Opening an Administrator Command Prompt Window

  1. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 6
    1
    Press and hold the ⊞ Win key.
  2. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 7
    2
    Press and hold the X key.
  3. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 8
    3
    Release the two keys. A context menu should appear in the lower-left corner of your screen, just above the Start
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    button.
  4. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 9
    4
    Press the A key.
  5. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 10
    5
    Provide confirmation in the User Account Control window if prompted. You might need to type the password to an administrator account. Then click or tap Yes at the bottom of the window to continue.
  6. Image titled Open Command Prompt with a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows 8, 8.1, and 10) Step 11
    6
    Begin using the Command Prompt. Type a command into the Command Prompt window and hit ↵ Enter to initiate it.
    7. Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Device running Windows 10, 8.1, or 8


You Might Also Like

Create and Delete Files and Directories from Windows Command Prompt
How to
Create and Delete Files and Directories from Windows Command Prompt
Run an EXE File From Command PromptHow to Run an EXE File at the Windows Command Prompt
Open a Folder in CmdHow to Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD)
Use Net Send
How to
Use Net Send
Copy Files in Command Prompt
How to
Copy Files in Command Prompt
Use Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python File
How to
Use Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python File
Go Back Using the Command Prompt
How to
Go Back Using the Command Prompt
Format a USB Using CmdHow to Format a USB Using CMD (Command Prompt)
Watch Star Wars on Command Prompt
How to
Watch Star Wars on Command Prompt
Add Users from CMD
How to
Add Users from CMD
Merge Text (.Txt) Files in Command Prompt
How to
Merge Text (.Txt) Files in Command Prompt
Change Directories in Command Prompt
How to
Change Directories in Command Prompt
Run a Program on Command PromptHow to Run a Program at the Windows Command Prompt: 2 Ways
Find All Commands of CMD in Your Computer
How to
Find All Commands of CMD in Your Computer
Advertisement

About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Technology Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 85,305 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 85,305
Categories: Command Prompt
Advertisement