Launch cmd in Windows 10

The command line (cmd, console) is a tool for working with commands without a graphical interface. There is almost no need for ordinary users to work with this element. However, different situations arise. In this material we will learn how to open the command line in Windows 10 using several methods and how to enable access to it.

Basic ways to call Cmd

Let's look at 6 ways to launch the console, including as an administrator. Use the method that is more attractive or suitable for the situation.

1. Click on the search icon, which is located next to the “Start” button on the taskbar or use the Win + S button combination. Type cmd into the input area. Windows OS will find the command prompt. To launch it, click Enter or LMB. If you need to call with admin privileges, right-click on the found object. Select the appropriate item from the pop-up menu.

2. The Run window is a quick and convenient tool for opening Windows components. To see this tool, use the keyboard shortcut Win + R. Type cmd in the input field and click OK (Enter).

3. Click the “Start” icon, scroll to Windows utility applications and open it by clicking LMB. Accordingly, we are interested in the “Command Line” application. Right-click on it, then point to “Advanced” and run it as administrator.

4. Calling the command line in Windows 10 can even be done using the task manager. Use the combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the task manager. From the top menu, select File, then Run New Task.

As in the previous methods, enter cmd, if necessary, check the box to create a task with administrator rights. After all actions, click OK. You can also immediately launch cmd as an administrator by holding Ctrl and clicking on “Run a new task”.

5. The command line is located in F:\Windows\System32. Where F is the label of the system volume, most often it is designated as C. Open Explorer by pressing Win + E. Visit the System32 directory, find cmd.exe. Double-click LMB to open the command line or use RMB to bring up the menu and select the appropriate item.

There is one more trick. In the address bar of Windows 10 Explorer, type cmd and press Enter.

6. There are situations when you need to call the command line in Windows 10 upon boot. Use the Win + I buttons to launch the options. In the update and security section, select "Recovery" and "Restart now" from the special boot options.

Select troubleshooting option.

Tap more options.

Next, click on the command line.

After the system restarts, select the desired account.

If prompted, type the password or leave the field blank and click Continue. Next you will have access to cmd.

Additional methods for opening the command line

These methods require additional steps to be taken before using them in the future. Take the following steps.

1. Starting with Windows 10 build 14971, the menu called up by clicking Win + X displays PowerShell instead of the command line. There is a trick that can enable cmd in place of PowerShell. Open settings using the Win + I key combination. Visit the “Personalization” section. Move the slider as shown in the screenshot.

By right-clicking on Start, two options related to cmd will appear in the menu. To open the command prompt in Windows 10, select the desired value by clicking LMB.

2. Starting with Windows 10 build 14986, in the menu that is launched by holding Shift and right-clicking, there is no command line in the folder where you want to call the console, but there is a way to add it back. Follow these steps:

1. Download the reg file, then unpack the archive.
2. Double-click on the Shift_PKM file, then click “Run”, “Yes”, “Yes”, OK.

Select the desired element, hold down Shift + RMB, and “Open command window” will be added to the menu.

3. Right-click on any free area to display the menu. Hover your cursor over “Create,” then click “Shortcut.” Type the name Cmd.exe, click Next.

Give it a name, such as Command Prompt, by clicking Finish.

For convenience, you can right-click on the shortcut, select “Properties”, “Advanced”, and mark it to launch by double-clicking LMB in administrator mode.

Enabling the command line

It happens that when you call cmd using one of the methods above, a message appears about restricting use by the administrator. When you click on any key, the console closes. Log in as an administrator, then do one of two steps.

1. To enable the command line in Windows 10 in such a situation, follow these steps. In the Run window (called Win + R), type regedit, click OK. Get to the System section (path in the screenshot below), right-click on it, select “Delete”. Click “Yes” to confirm.

2. If there is no System section in the registry, and you are the owner of Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, type gpedit.msc in the search by pressing Enter. Go through the sections “User Configuration”, “Administrative Templates”, to “System”. On the right, find the state that prohibits the use of cmd, double click on it.

Set the position to “Not specified”. Then click OK. Now cmd should function smoothly.

Here's how you can open the command line in Windows 10. As you can see from the material, there are enough methods (basic and additional) to do this, and if you encounter a limitation problem, you can always quickly turn on the console.