How to Open the Command Prompt in Windows

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Command Prompt program in Windows. There are several ways to do this, from simply searching in the Start menu to using a Run command. Keep in mind that some computers, such as school computers, will...

Method 1 of 3:

Open Start

. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key. You can search for Command Prompt on all supported versions of Windows.
1. If you're using Windows 8, instead place your mouse cursor in the top-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon when it appears.
Type command prompt into Start. The Start search bar is at the bottom of the Start window. Searching for Command Prompt here will look for Command Prompt.
Click

Command Prompt. You should see the Command Prompt icon appear near the top of the Start window. Clicking its icon will open Command Prompt.

Method 2 of 3:

Open the Run program. Hold the ⊞ Win key and press the R key to open the Run window.
1. You can also right-click the Start icon (or press ⊞ Win+X) and then click Run to do this.
Type cmd into Run. This is the command to open Command Prompt.
Click OK. Doing so runs the "cmd.exe" command, which opens Command Prompt.

Method 3 of 3:

Open Start

. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can also press the ⊞ Win key.
Scroll down to Windows System and click it. This folder will be near the bottom of the Start window.
Click

Command Prompt. It should be near the top of the Windows System folder. Doing so will open Command Prompt.