A Guide on How to Open Command Prompt as Administrator

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Command Prompt is a useful tool for all IT guys and geeks that want to automate administrative tasks. It allows you to use features and tools that are not even available in the graphic interface. So, it’s an all-in-one tool that lets you enjoy Windows features to their full potential.

If you are a fan of keyboard shortcuts, Command Prompt can be your dream palace. You can use all sorts of shortcuts to see how commands dance in front of you! Although you can press the Windows key to search and open Command Prompt, it won’t be a satisfying option if you are a true geek.

That’s why in the following, we will lay out all possible cool ways you can open Command Prompt in Windows 7/8/10/11. If you want to learn how to open Command Prompt using different keys and apps, keep reading till the end!

How to open and run Command Prompt as administrator

You can open and run Command Prompt in many different ways. However, methods may differ based on the Windows version you are currently using. In the following, we start with the steps that apply to Windows 11 and 10. Then, we’ll move on to windows 8 and 7.

Some methods may apply to more than one Windows version. So, regardless of your Windows version, try every method as you read on through the article.

1. Use the Start menu

The first and easiest method to open a command prompt in all Windows versions is using the start menu. 

Here’s how:

• Click the Start menu in the Taskbar or hit the Windows key on your keyboard.
• Type and search for the Command prompt (or cmd).
• Click open or select Run as administrator in the right pane.
• Hit Yes when Windows asks you if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device.

In all Windows versions, after the last step Command prompt will open. However, Windows 11 will open within Terminal (a more advanced version of cmd).

2. Open Windows PowerShell

In Windows 10 and 11, Windows PowerShell replaced Command Prompt. The only difference is that Windows 11 also has a Terminal, which runs commands and more.

As a result, instead of Command Prompt, you can run PowerShell and do your administrating tasks. To do so:

• Right-click the start menu or press Win + X to access the Power User menu.
• Choose PowerShell (or Terminal in Windows 11) and run as administrators.

In older Windows 10, you may see the Command Prompt option in the Power User menu instead of PowerShell. You can click it directly or use the search bar to open PowerShell.

3. Open cmd within the Terminal

In Windows 11, you can launch and use Terminal easily by searching it in the Start menu. However, in Windows 10, you’ll have to download and install it to be able to use it.

Either way, open Windows Terminal, then follow these instructions to load a Command Prompt tab within the app:

• At the top of the window, select the downward arrow to open more options.
• From the drop-down menu, choose Command Prompt (or use the Ctrl + Shift + 2 shortcut).

4. Use the Run dialogue box to open the cmd

Sometimes you can’t access file explorer because it has crashed, or opening cmd from the Start menu is not possible for some reasons. Regardless of your Windows version, you can open Command Prompt using a command in the Run dialogue box.

Here’s how:

• Press Win + R keys or open Task Manager, select Files from the left corner, then choose Run new task to the open Run dialogue box.
• Now, type cmd in the blank section and hit Enter.

5. Open Windows Tools to access Command Prompt

On Windows 11, you can run Command Prompt from the Windows Tools app. To do so, follow these instructions:

• Click the Start menu, then select all apps at the right corner of the window.
• Scroll down to find the Windows Tools app and open it (the apps are listed alphabetically, so to find the Windows Tools, you need to scroll down to the ‘W’ section).
• At the top of the window, you can see the Command Prompt icon. Double-click to open it. (If you want to run it as administrator, right-click the icon, then select Run as administrator.)

6. Open Command Prompt from the Apps screen

Using Windows 8, you can run Command Prompt directly from the App screen. 

Here’s how:

• Click the down arrow icon at the bottom of the screen or hit the Start menu.
• Swipe right to find the Windows Systems section, then click Command Prompt from the menu.
• Hit Yes when the Windows warning appears, then cmd will open, and you run any command you want and automate your tasks.

7. Find Command Prompt in the Accessories

Finding Command Prompt in Windows 7, Vista, or XP versions might be more challenging than its newer versions. 

To open and run Command Prompt in Windows 7, follow these steps:

• Click the Start button from the left corner of the screen, or hit the Win key, then select All Programs.
• From the list that appears on the screen, choose Accessories.
• You’ll see a list of programs; scroll down to find Command Prompt, then click it.

8. Create a cmd shortcut on the desktop

If you use Command Prompt frequently, it’s best to create a shortcut to access it more easily. This way, it’s always one click away, and you can do your tasks without wasting extra time. 

You can create a Command Prompt shortcut on your desktop or in any folder. Just open the folder or any other location you want, then follow these steps:

• Right-click on a space in your desired location, hover over New in the menu and then select Shortcut from the right side of the contextual menu.
• In the following window, browse and select Command Prompt, then hit Next.
• Type a name for your shortcut in the blank section, like cmd, then click Finish.

11. Pin Command Prompt to your taskbar

You can pin cmd to your start menu or taskbar if you don’t want to crowd your desktop with too many shortcuts. In Windows 10/11, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, then choose “Pin to start” or “Pin to taskbar” from the right pane.

In Windows 8/7, first, open Command Prompt, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and choose the Pin to taskbar option. To pin cmd to the Start menu, search for it, then right-click its icon on the Start menu and select Pin to Start.

Wrapping up

Just like other apps, opening Command Prompt is not a hard task. However, knowing different ways to open and run Command Prompt in Windows may come in handy when your PC is not functioning as it should.

In this article, you can learn all possible methods to open Command Prompt in Windows 7,8,10, and 11 and make it accessible whenever you want.

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