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If you've ever done any sort of coding, you're familiar with the Command Prompt. The Command Prompt is an app installed on all Windows computers that lets you manage the computer using text commands.
2021-07-07
But unlike other apps, the Command Prompt isn't always easy to find. Here's how to open Command Prompt on your PC, no matter which version of Windows 10 you have.
How to open Command Prompt in Windows 10
There are three main ways to access Command Prompt. Using the Power User Menu shortcut is the fastest method for most people.
Power User Menu
This list of options is called the Power Users Menu.
William Antonelli/Insider
The quickest way to open a Command Prompt window is through the Power User Menu, which you can access by right-clicking the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen, or with the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + X.
It'll appear in the menu twice: Command Prompt and Command Prompt (Admin). The second option will open an "elevated" Command Prompt, which gives you administrator privileges, which are required for some commands. In nearly all cases, it's better to use the elevated Command Prompt — it can do everything that the normal Command Prompt can and more.
Windows Search
Command Prompt will appear in the results right away.
William Antonelli/Insider
You can also simply search for Command Prompt using Windows' normal search feature. Click the Start button and type in Command Prompt, and then select it from the list when it appears.
If you right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator or click it in the results, you'll open an elevated Command Prompt.
Start Menu
You'll find Command Prompt in the Windows System folder.
William Antonelli/Insider
You can also open Command Prompt by navigating through the Start menu.
To open Command Prompt through the Start menu, click the Windows icon and then scroll down to find the Windows System folder. Open the folder and click or right-click Command Prompt to open it.
How to switch from PowerShell to Command Prompt
Windows PowerShell is a newer program that's similar to Command Prompt. And in some versions of Windows 10, it replaces Command Prompt in the menus you'd usually use to open it.
There's nothing wrong with PowerShell — it can do pretty much anything that the Command Prompt can do — but if you're used to using Command Prompt, it's easy to switch back.
1. Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app, and then select Personalization.
Open the Personalization section of the Settings app.
William Antonelli/Insider
2. Click the Taskbar option in the left sidebar.
3. On the page that appears, head down to the Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell option and click its slider so it turns Off.
Turn off the PowerShell option.
William Antonelli/Insider
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ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
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EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website atwilliamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.
