Command Prompt isn’t limited to running text-based commands. You can also use CMD to open many Windows tools and system utilities, including Task Manager, Device Manager, File Explorer, PowerShell, Services, and Disk Management.
In most cases, all you need to do is type the name of the tool or its command and press Enter. If you don’t have CMD open yet, see How to Open Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows 11 and 10.
Quick examples: Type taskmgr to open Task Manager, devmgmt.msc for Device Manager, explorer for File Explorer, or powershell to start Windows PowerShell.
Commands to Open Windows Tools from CMD
Use this table as a quick reference:
| Windows tool | Command |
|---|---|
| Task Manager | taskmgr |
| Device Manager | devmgmt.msc |
| File Explorer | explorer |
| Current folder in File Explorer | explorer . |
| Windows PowerShell | powershell |
| PowerShell 7 | pwsh |
| Control Panel | control |
| Disk Management | diskmgmt.msc |
| Services | services.msc |
| Registry Editor | regedit |
| System Information | msinfo32 |
| Computer Management | compmgmt.msc |
| Event Viewer | eventvwr.msc |
For most of these commands, simply type the command in CMD and press Enter. Microsoft also provides an overview of the main Windows system configuration tools and the different ways to access them.
1. Open Task Manager from CMD
To open Task Manager from Command Prompt, type taskmgr and press Enter. Task Manager will open immediately, allowing you to check running apps and processes, monitor CPU and memory usage, or end a program that is not responding.
You can also use: start taskmgr
The start command isn’t required in this case, but it provides another way to launch the application from CMD. You can also see other ways to open Task Manager.
2. Open Device Manager from Command Prompt
To open Device Manager from Command Prompt, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
You can also use start devmgmt.msc
Another option is to load the Device Manager snap-in through Microsoft Management Console: mmc devmgmt.msc
For normal use, however, devmgmt.msc is the simplest option.
Device Manager lets you view installed hardware, check device status, update or remove drivers, disable devices, and scan for hardware changes. If the task you want to perform requires elevated permissions, open Command Prompt as administrator first and then run devmgmt.msc
3. Open File Explorer from CMD
To open File Explorer from CMD, type explorer and press Enter.
This launches File Explorer. If you want File Explorer to open directly in the folder you are currently using in CMD, use: explorer .
The period (.) represents the current directory. For example, if your CMD prompt is currently at: C:\Users\User\Documents>, running explorer . opens the Documents folder in File Explorer.
You can also specify a particular path: explorer C:\Users\User\Downloads
Another convenient way to open the current folder is: start .
If you frequently work with directories from the command line, see how to work with files and folders from CMD for more examples.
4. Open PowerShell from CMD
You can open Windows PowerShell from CMD by typing: powershell and pressing Enter.
The current console will switch to a Windows PowerShell session.
You can tell that PowerShell is running because the prompt changes from something similar to: C:\Users\User> to: PS C:\Users\User>
To return to CMD, type exit
If you want to launch PowerShell in a separate window instead, use: start powershell
What About the pwsh Command?
Windows PowerShell and newer versions of PowerShell use different executable names.
The built-in Windows PowerShell 5.1 uses: powershell
Newer versions such as PowerShell 7 use: pwsh
Therefore, if PowerShell 7 is installed on your computer, you can start it from CMD by entering: pwsh
If Windows reports that pwsh is not recognized, PowerShell 7 may not be installed or its location may not be available in the system PATH.
5. Open Control Panel from CMD
To open Control Panel, type control and press Enter.
This opens the traditional Control Panel, where you can access programs, user accounts, network settings, power options, hardware settings, and other Windows features.
6. Open Disk Management from CMD
To open Disk Management, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
Disk Management lets you view drives and volumes, create or delete partitions, change drive letters, and format storage devices.
Be careful when modifying partitions or formatting drives, since these operations can result in data loss.
7. Open Windows Services from CMD
Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services management console.
From there, you can view Windows services, check whether they are running, and review or change their startup type. Some changes require administrator privileges.
8. Open Registry Editor from CMD
To launch Registry Editor, type regedit and press Enter.
Windows may display a User Account Control prompt before opening it.
Registry Editor provides access to Windows configuration stored in the Registry. Avoid changing or deleting values unless you know what they control, since incorrect changes can cause problems with Windows or installed applications.
9. Open System Information from CMD
To open System Information, type msinfo32 and press Enter.
This utility displays detailed information about your PC, including the Windows version, processor, BIOS or UEFI version, installed memory, hardware resources, and system components.
10. Open Computer Management from CMD
Type compmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Computer Management.
Computer Management brings several administrative tools together in one console, including Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, and Shared Folders.
11. Open Event Viewer from CMD
To open Event Viewer, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.
Event Viewer records system, application, security, and other Windows events. It can be useful when diagnosing crashes, service failures, driver problems, or other system errors.
More Useful Windows Tools You Can Start from CMD
Several other built-in Windows utilities can be launched directly from Command Prompt:
| Tool | Command | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| System Configuration | msconfig | Manages boot and selected startup options |
| Resource Monitor | resmon | Shows detailed CPU, memory, disk, and network activity |
| Performance Monitor | perfmon | Monitors Windows performance counters |
| DirectX Diagnostic Tool | dxdiag | Displays graphics, audio, and DirectX information |
| Character Map | charmap | Displays special characters and symbols |
| On-Screen Keyboard | osk | Opens the Windows virtual keyboard |
| Magnifier | magnify | Opens Windows Magnifier |
| Remote Desktop Connection | mstsc | Opens the Remote Desktop client |
You don’t need to memorize all of these commands. For tools you use frequently, however, launching them from CMD can be faster than navigating through Settings or Windows menus.
Open Windows Tools as Administrator from CMD
Some Windows utilities require elevated permissions for certain actions. The simplest approach is to open Command Prompt as administrator first, then run the command for the tool you need.
For example: devmgmt.msc or regedit
Applications launched from an elevated Command Prompt can use administrative permissions when the tool and the requested action support them.
You don’t need administrator access simply to open most of the utilities in this guide. Use elevated CMD only when the task you want to perform requires it.
Conclusion
Command Prompt provides a quick way to launch many Windows tools without navigating through Settings or menus.
For the most common utilities, commands such as taskmgr, devmgmt.msc, explorer, and powershell are usually all you need. Once the tool opens, you can use it normally just as if you had launched it from Start, Search, or another Windows menu.
