How to Open the Command Prompt in Windows

A painless guide to accessing the Windows command prompt

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Command Prompt program in Windows. There are several ways to do this, from simply searching in the Start menu to using a Run command. Keep in mind that some computers, such as school computers, will not be able to run Command Prompt due to restrictions.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Searching for Command Prompt

  1. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 1
    1
    Open Start
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key. You can search for Command Prompt on all supported versions of Windows.
    • If you're using Windows 8, instead place your mouse cursor in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon when it appears.
  2. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 2
    2
    Type command prompt into Start. The Start search bar is at the bottom of the Start window. Searching for Command Prompt here will look for Command Prompt.
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  3. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 3
    3
    Click
    Image titled Windowscmd1.png
    Command Prompt.     You should see the Command Prompt icon appear near the top of the Start window. Clicking its icon will open Command Prompt.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the Run Program

  1. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 4
    1
    Open the Run program. Hold the ⊞ Win key and press the R key to open the Run window.
    • You can also right-click the Start icon (or press ⊞ Win+X) and then click Run to do this.
  2. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 5
    2
    Type cmd into Run. This is the command to open Command Prompt.
  3. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 6
    3
    Click OK. Doing so runs the "cmd.exe" command, which opens Command Prompt.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Navigating to Command Prompt

  1. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 7
    1
    Open Start
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can also press the ⊞ Win key.
  2. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 8
    2
    Scroll down to Windows System and click it. This folder will be near the bottom of the Start window.
  3. Image titled Open the Command Prompt in Windows Step 9
    3
    Click
    Image titled Windowscmd1.png
    Command Prompt.     It should be near the top of the Windows System folder. Doing so will open Command Prompt.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I close out Command Prompt?
    ClixTech Australia
    ClixTech Australia
    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!
  • Question
    What do I do if I can't use Microsoft Edge and the Start button?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Press the Windows Key + R, then type in cmd.exe and hit enter.
  • Question
    How do I stop Windows command prompt from starting up automatically?
    Community Answer
    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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Warnings

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

  1. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.

About This Article

Luigi Oppido
Co-authored by:
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been viewed 575,075 times.
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Co-authors: 17
Updated: April 20, 2022
Views: 575,075
Categories: Command Prompt
Article SummaryX

1. Open Start.
2. Type in command prompt.
3. Click Command Prompt at the top.

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