How to Open Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows 11 and 10

Command Prompt (CMD) is a built-in Windows tool that lets you run commands to manage files, check your network, troubleshoot system problems, and perform many other tasks.

There are several ways to open Command Prompt in Windows 11 and 10. The easiest is to search for it from Start, but you can also launch CMD from Run, open it as administrator, open it directly in a folder, or access it when Windows won’t boot.

Quickest way: Open Start, type cmd, and select Command Prompt. You can also press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

1. Open Command Prompt from the Start Menu

The easiest way to launch CMD is to use Windows Search.

1. Open the Start menu or press the Windows key.
2. Type cmd or Command Prompt.
3. Select Command Prompt from the search results.

CMD will open, and you can start entering commands.

This works in both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

2. Open CMD with Windows + R

You can quickly open CMD from the Run dialog.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type cmd.
3. Press Enter or click OK.

Command Prompt will open immediately. This method is especially convenient if you prefer using the keyboard instead of going through the Start menu.

3. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Some commands that make changes to Windows require administrator privileges. In those cases, you need to launch it with elevated permissions.

To open CMD as administrator:

1. Open Start.
2. Type cmd.
3. Select Run as administrator under the Command Prompt result.
4. Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears.

CMD will open with elevated permissions.

You can usually confirm this by checking the window title, which typically displays Administrator: Command Prompt.

Not every command requires administrator access. For basic tasks such as navigating folders, using dir, or checking network information, you can normally use a standard Command Prompt window.

4. Open CMD Directly in a Folder

You can also open Command Prompt directly in a specific folder. This saves you from having to navigate to that location afterward with the cd command.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to the folder where you want to work.
3. Click the address bar.
4. Type cmd.
5. Press Enter.

Command Prompt will open with that folder set as the current location. For example, if you do this from your Documents folder, CMD may open at a path similar to: C:\Users\User\Documents>

This method is especially useful when you need to run commands on files you have already located. If you want to learn how to navigate directories or launch files from the command line, see our guide How to Open Files and Folders from Command Prompt (CMD).

5. Open CMD from Task Manager

You can also launch Command Prompt from Task Manager. This can be useful if the Start menu or part of the Windows interface is not responding properly.

In Windows 11:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click Run new task.
3. Type cmd.
4. Press Enter or click OK.

If you need administrator privileges, check Create this task with administrative privileges before running it.

In Windows 10, open Task Manager and select File > Run new task. Then type cmd and press Enter.

6. Open Command Prompt Without Booting Into Windows

If Windows won’t start properly, you can launch CMD from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or from a Windows installation USB drive.

From Windows Recovery Options

If Windows still starts, you can access Advanced startup using the following path:

• Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
• Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.

You can also hold down Shift while selecting Start > Power > Restart.

Once WinRE opens, go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt

If Windows fails to start several times, it may automatically enter the Windows Recovery Environment. The key used to access recovery options during startup varies by computer manufacturer, so F11 does not work universally on every PC.

Microsoft provides additional information in its documentation about the Windows Recovery Environment.

Important: If BitLocker is enabled, Windows may ask for your recovery key before you can use certain recovery tools.

Open CMD from a Windows Installation USB Drive

If you cannot access Windows Recovery, you can also boot the PC from a Windows 11 or Windows 10 installation USB drive.

1. Start the computer from the Windows installation USB drive.
2. Wait for the Windows Setup screen to appear.
3. Press Shift + F10.

Command Prompt will open directly.

On some laptops, you may need to press Shift + Fn + F10, depending on how the function keys are configured.

You can also select Repair my PC or Repair your computer, depending on the Windows Setup version, and then go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

What You Can Do After Opening Command Prompt

Once Command Prompt is open, you can use commands to navigate folders, manage files, check your network connection, repair Windows components, or shut down and restart your computer.

Commands such as cd and dir help you work with files and folders. For practical examples, see How to Open Files and Folders from Command Prompt (CMD).

For Windows troubleshooting, commands such as sfc /scannow and DISM can help repair damaged system files. See How to Fix Corrupted System Files in Windows 10 and 11 with SFC /scannow for the complete process.

You can also use CMD to shut down or restart your PC. See our guide to the shutdown command in Windows for the available options.

For most everyday situations, searching for cmd from Start or using Windows + R is all you need. If Windows won’t boot, use the recovery options or a Windows installation drive instead.