Launching Command Prompt

Command Prompt is an effective tool for automating and streamlining tasks on Windows.

Windows comes with Command Prompt pre-installed, so you can start using it immediately on your computer.

However, since Windows 11, Command Prompt has disappeared from the Start menu list.

This page shows how to open Command Prompt on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Pick the method that fits your situation from the table below.

Each method is explained step by step below.

1. Launch from Start Menu

For Windows 11 users, the easiest way to launch Command Prompt is through the Start menu.

Although it has disappeared from the list, the Start menu has a search function that you can use to launch it.

Here is a summary of the process:

1. Press the Windows key
2. Type cmd in the displayed Start menu and press Enter
3. Command Prompt will appear

Press the Windows key

Pressing the Windows key displays the Start menu and puts it in a state ready to accept input.

You don’t need to click anywhere special; just proceed to the next step.

Type cmd

Once the Start menu is displayed, type cmd.

cmd is the command to launch Command Prompt, and typing it in the Start menu will display Command Prompt as a candidate.

While it requires more characters, you can also type “Command Prompt” to display it as a candidate.

Command Prompt is Displayed

Once Command Prompt appears, the launch is complete.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

(c) 2026 Ribbit App Development All rights reserved.

 

C:\users\user>

2. Launch from “Run” Dialog

In Windows, there are various programs pre-installed, and one way to launch these programs using text strings is the “Run” dialog. This method works not just for Command Prompt but for other programs as well.

Here is a summary of the process:

1. Press Windows key + R key
2. Type cmd in the displayed “Run” dialog and press Enter
3. Command Prompt will appear

Press Windows key + R key

Pressing Windows key + R key displays the “Run” dialog.

Type cmd

Once the “Run” dialog is displayed, type cmd.

Command Prompt is Displayed

Once Command Prompt appears, the launch is complete.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

(c) 2026 Ribbit App Development All rights reserved.

 

C:\users\user>

おすすめ書籍※ 広告を含む場合があります

中小企業経営者のためのRPA入門 RPA導入を成功させる方法

60分でわかる！ AIエージェント　超入門

コマンドラインの黒い画面が怖いんです。

知識・才能ゼロでもらく～に月10万円稼ぐ! よくわかるAI副業超入門

3. Launch from “Windows Tools”

In Windows 11, Command Prompt no longer appears in the Start menu.

So where is Command Prompt now?

With Windows 11, an app called “Windows Tools” was added to the Start menu.

It displays a list of apps that come standard with Windows, and Command Prompt has been grouped there.

Launch “Windows Tools”

To launch “Windows Tools”, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key
2. Type Windows Tools in the displayed Start menu and press Enter
3. “Windows Tools” will be displayed
4. Click “Command Prompt” from the list in “Windows Tools”
5. Command Prompt will appear

First, similar to the first launch method, press the Windows key and type Windows Tools.

Launch “Command Prompt” from “Windows Tools”

Once “Windows Tools” is displayed, click “Command Prompt” from the list.

Command Prompt is Displayed

Once Command Prompt appears, the launch is complete.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

(c) 2026 Ribbit App Development All rights reserved.

 

C:\users\user>

4. Launch from the File Explorer Address Bar (in the Current Folder)

To open Command Prompt with a specific folder as the working location, use the File Explorer address bar.

1. Open the target folder in File Explorer
2. Click the address bar (where the path is displayed)
3. Replace the path with cmd and press Enter
4. Command Prompt opens with that folder as the current directory

This does not work in virtual locations such as “This PC” or “Quick access”.

5. Launch from Task Manager

Even when File Explorer or the Start menu does not respond, Task Manager can often still start Command Prompt.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Choose “Run new task” (under the “File” menu, or the button at the top in Windows 11)
3. Type cmd and click “OK”

Check “Create this task with administrative privileges” to start it as administrator.

Note: Launching with Administrator Rights

If you need to run operations that require administrator rights, type cmd in the Start menu and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch it as administrator. Select “Yes” when the confirmation dialog appears.

Practice Quiz