How Can I Open the Command Prompt in Windows 11?
How Can I Open the Command Prompt in Windows 11?
4 Answers

The Command Prompt (CMD) is an essential tool in Windows that lets you run various commands to manage files, configure your system, and troubleshoot issues. Here’s a breakdown of a few ways to open the Command Prompt in Windows 11:
Straightforward Methods:
- Using Start Menu Search: Just click the Start button on your taskbar or hit the Windows key to pop up the Start menu. Type ‘cmd’ or ‘Command Prompt’ in the search box. When the Command Prompt appears in the search results, click on it to open. If you need to do some administrative tasks, right-click on Command Prompt and choose ‘Run as administrator.’
- Via the Run Dialog: Press Windows key + R to open up the Run dialog box. Type ‘cmd’ and hit Enter or click OK to open Command Prompt. For elevated permissions, you can type ‘cmd’ and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Stepping It Up:
- Through Windows Terminal: Click the Start button or hit the Windows key, type ‘Windows Terminal’ in the search box, and open the app. Click the arrow pointing down next to the tab, pick ‘Command Prompt’ from the dropdown, or use Ctrl + Shift + 2 to open a new Command Prompt tab.
- From File Explorer: Hit Windows key + E to open File Explorer. Go to the folder where you want to open Command Prompt. Click in the address bar at the top, type ‘cmd’, and press Enter. This opens Command Prompt with the working directory set to your current folder. You can also hold the Shift key while right-clicking in a folder and pick ‘Open in Terminal,’ then switch to Command Prompt from the dropdown.
Unique Methods:
- Creating a Desktop Shortcut: Right-click on your desktop, select ‘New’ > ‘Shortcut.’ In the location field, type
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
and click Next. Name your shortcut something like ‘Command Prompt,’ and click Finish. Now, you can just double-click the shortcut to launch Command Prompt. - Using the Power User Menu: Press Windows key + X to bring up the Power User Menu. Find Windows Terminal (or Command Prompt if available) and click on it.
- Accessing in Recovery Mode: If you can’t boot into Windows, you might need to use Command Prompt from the recovery environment. Restart your computer and interrupt the boot process by holding down the power button three times. On the fourth try, it should enter the Recovery Environment. Choose ‘Troubleshoot’ > ‘Advanced options’ > ‘Command Prompt.’
There you go! Several handy methods to open up Command Prompt in Windows 11. Give them a try and see which one fits your workflow best.

Trying to open the Command Prompt on your Windows 11? No problem, I’ve got you covered with a bunch of easy ways to pull it up.
Method 1: Search It Up
- Get to the Start Menu: Give a click on the Start button (that little Windows icon on your taskbar) or just hit the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type “cmd”: Use the search bar to type “cmd” or “Command Prompt”.
- Pick Command Prompt: When it pops up in the search results, click on “Command Prompt”. Want to run it with extra powers? Right-click it and choose “Run as administrator”.
Method 2: Get It Through Run
- Pop Open the Run Box: Hit
Windows Key + R
to open that handy Run dialog. - Type cmd: Just type
cmd
and smash Enter or click OK. - Need Admin Privileges?: If you gotta be the boss, press
Ctrl + Shift + Enter
after typingcmd
in the Run box.
Method 3: Tap Into Windows Terminal
- Launch Windows Terminal: Yep, you can reach Command Prompt right through Windows Terminal.
- Open Up a New Tab: Already in Windows Terminal? Press
Ctrl + Shift + 2
to snag a new tab with Command Prompt.
Method 4: Explorer! File Explorer, That Is
- File Explorer, Make Your Entrance: Press
Windows Key + E
to make File Explorer roll out. - Hop Over to System32: Type
C:\Windows\System32
in the address bar and hit that Enter key. - Find cmd.exe: Spot
cmd.exe
, double-click it to fire up Command Prompt, or right-click if you’re in need of admin powers.
Method 5: Let’s Try Task Manager
- Task Manager Time: Open up Task Manager by pressing
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
. - Take a New Task for a Spin: Go to “File” in the menu up top and pick “Run new task”.
- Enter cmd: Type
cmd
in the box that appears and give a tick to “Create this task with administrative privileges” if it’s needed, then click OK.
Method 6: Quick Shortcut on Your Desktop
- Desktop Right-Click Action: Find some empty space on your desktop and right-click.
- Go for New > Shortcut: Choose New from the menu and jump to Shortcut.
- Where to Locate the Item?: Punch in
cmd.exe
in the location field and hit Next. - Name That Shortcut: Give it a name (how about Command Prompt?) and hit Finish.
So, here’s the kicker, you’ve got six ways to open Command Prompt. Whether you’re all about the search function or prefer the Run dialog, it’s all about finding what works for you and your setup.
Honestly, the easiest routes are probably either the search function or the Run dialog—quick and painless!

Want to open the Command Prompt on Windows 11? No stress, I got you. There are a bunch of nifty ways to get it up and running. Let’s dive in!
Alright, here’s how you can do it:
- The Start Menu Route:
- Hit the Start button like you mean it.
- Type “cmd” in the search box.
- You’ll see Command Prompt in the results. Click it. If you’re feeling like a boss and need admin access, right-click and select “Run as administrator.”
- Windows Terminal (Admin) Approach:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Pick Windows Terminal (Admin) from the list.
- Once you’re in the terminal, click the little dropdown arrow and choose Command Prompt.
- Via Run Dialog:
- Press Win + R to pop open the Run dialog.
- Type “cmd” and hit Enter, and there you go! If you want to keep the CMD up after execution, type “cmd /k.”
- Task Manager Method:
- Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to fire up Task Manager.
- Go to File > Run new task.
- Type “cmd” and check the box for administrative privileges if you’re going all out.
- File Explorer Trick:
- Launch File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- Punch “cmd” in the address bar, then press Enter.
- PowerShell Integration:
- Boot up PowerShell via Start. Search for “PowerShell,” right-click it, then select “Run as administrator.”
- Type “cmd” to switch to Command Prompt right there.
- DIY Desktop Shortcut:
- Right-click your desktop, go to New > Shortcut.
- Put “cmd.exe” as the target path. Want admin access? Right-click your new shortcut, head to Properties > Advanced, and tick Run as administrator.
Now, let’s troubleshoot some of those pesky issues:
- “Requested Operation Requires Elevation” Error:
- This pops up because the command needs admin privileges. Easy fix – use Windows Terminal (Admin) or right-click CMD shortcuts and click “Run as administrator.” In PowerShell (Admin), run the command
net user administrator /active:yes
to switch on that hidden admin account.
- This pops up because the command needs admin privileges. Easy fix – use Windows Terminal (Admin) or right-click CMD shortcuts and click “Run as administrator.” In PowerShell (Admin), run the command
- Search Function Acting Up:
- System glitch or corruption can gunk up your search. Try repairing search indexing by hopping over to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Search and Indexing, then run the troubleshooter.
- Shortcut Not Working?
- If CMD isn’t opening through a shortcut, the path might be wonky. Just remake that shortcut with the right path (“cmd.exe”) and run PowerShell (Admin) to give
sfc /scannow
a whirl for fixing system files.
- If CMD isn’t opening through a shortcut, the path might be wonky. Just remake that shortcut with the right path (“cmd.exe”) and run PowerShell (Admin) to give
Why bother with Command Prompt? Well, despite the newest kids on the block like PowerShell and Windows Terminal, CMD still holds its ground for straightforward command executions and troubleshooting. A word of advice: Managing the search index to cover essential directories and leaving out non-crucial files can optimize your system performance.
So next time you’re lost in Windows 11, come back to these tips to easily open Command Prompt and navigate any hiccups along the way.

Getting into the Command Prompt on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science; you’ve got a bunch of ways to do it. Let’s dive into some easy methods to get you started:
First up, try the Start Menu trick. Just hit the Start button or press that Windows key on your keyboard. Type ‘cmd’ or ‘Command Prompt’ in the search bar and bam—click on Command Prompt when it pops up.
Another smooth move is using the Run Dialog Box. Just press Windows + R at the same time, type ‘cmd,’ then press Enter. Pretty straightforward, right?
For a twist, you can check out the Power User Menu. By pressing Windows + X, you’ll bring up the menu and see Windows Terminal (which can run Command Prompt too). If Windows Terminal isn’t there, you might see Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell as options.
You can also get there from File Explorer. Launch File Explorer with Windows + E, go to the folder you want, and type ‘cmd’ in the address bar before hitting Enter. It’s as simple as that!
If you’re feeling adventurous, give Task Manager a try. Open it up by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click on File, then Run new task. Type ‘cmd’—don’t forget you can run it with admin privileges if needed—then click OK.
And here’s the kicker: you can even do it during boot! On the login screen, click the Power icon, hold Shift while you hit Restart, then go through Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
There you have it—a bunch of ways to get to that Command Prompt window depending on the situation. Pick whatever method feels right and get cracking!