To open Command Prompt in Windows 11, select Start, type cmd and press Enter; to run it as administrator, right-click Command Prompt in the results and choose Run as administrator.
This guide covers eight more routes, including Run, the Win+X menu, Windows Terminal, Task Manager and the recovery screen, plus how to confirm elevation and fix a Command Prompt that opens at startup or is blocked.
How to open Command Prompt in Windows 11
Windows Search is the quickest route on every Windows 11 edition, and it offers the administrator option in the same place.
- Press Windows key + S, or select Start on the taskbar.
- Type
cmd. Command Prompt appears as the best match. - Press Enter to open a normal Command Prompt window.
- For an elevated window, right-click Command Prompt in the results and select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt, or enter an administrator password if Windows asks for one.
On Windows 11 22H2 and later, the window may open inside Windows Terminal rather than the classic console. The commands work the same way in both.
Quick Comparison: Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | Keys or clicks | Admin option | Works when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Search | Win + S, type cmd, Enter |
Right-click > Run as administrator | Windows is running normally |
| Run box | Win + R, type cmd, Enter |
No, opens a normal window | You want the fewest clicks |
| Win+X menu | Win + X, then Terminal (Admin) | Yes, opens Terminal elevated | You need admin rights fast |
| Windows Terminal | Arrow next to + > Command Prompt | Only if Terminal itself is elevated | You want tabs next to PowerShell |
| Task Manager | Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Run new task | Yes, tick the administrative privileges box | The desktop or taskbar is frozen |
| Desktop shortcut | Double-click the icon | Right-click > Run as administrator | You open it every day |
| Taskbar pin | Click the icon, or Win + its number | Right-click > Run as administrator | You want a one-key launch |
| Advanced startup | Settings > System > Recovery | Runs with full rights in recovery | Windows will not start or needs repair |
| Windows Setup | Shift + F10 during setup | Runs with full rights in setup | You are installing Windows from USB |
Before You Start: Normal vs. Administrator Command Prompt
Windows starts every app with a standard access token, even when you sign in as an administrator. An elevated Command Prompt runs with the full administrator token instead.
Open a normal window unless the command you plan to run asks for elevation. Tools such as DISKPART, sfc and manage-bde need the elevated one.
| Normal Command Prompt | Administrator Command Prompt | |
|---|---|---|
| Integrity level | Medium | High |
| Prompt when opening | None | User Account Control consent or credential prompt |
| Can change system files and settings | No | Yes |
| Standard (non-admin) account | Opens normally | Needs an administrator's user name and password |
| Best for | ipconfig, ping, dir, everyday tasks |
Disk, repair, service and policy commands |
Method 1: Open Command Prompt with the Run Box
The Run dialog launches Command Prompt in two keystrokes plus the command name, which makes it the fastest keyboard route.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
cmdin the Open box. - Press Enter or select OK. A normal Command Prompt window opens in your user folder.
Add a switch to run a command as the window opens: cmd /k ipconfig runs ipconfig and keeps the window open, while cmd /c runs the command and then closes the window.
Method 2: Open Command Prompt from the Right-Click Start Menu
The Win+X menu (Microsoft calls it the Quick Link menu) no longer lists Command Prompt in Windows 11. It lists Terminal, which opens Command Prompt as a tab.
Windows 8 put Command Prompt (Admin) straight into this menu, as covered in this older Win+X shortcut tip. Windows 11 needs one extra step.
- Press Windows key + X, or right-click the Start button.
- Select Terminal for a normal session, or Terminal (Admin) for an elevated one, then select Yes on the prompt.
- In the Terminal window, select the down arrow next to the + tab button.
- Select Command Prompt. A new Command Prompt tab opens with the same rights as the window.
Terminal also assigns Ctrl + Shift + 1 to Ctrl + Shift + 9 to the profiles in that dropdown, in order. If Command Prompt is the second entry, Ctrl + Shift + 2 opens it directly.
Method 3: Open Command Prompt from Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal is a host for several shells, and Command Prompt is one of its built-in profiles. Terminal opens PowerShell by default until you change that.
- Select Start, type
terminaland open Terminal. - Select the down arrow next to the + button on the tab bar.
- Select Command Prompt to open it in a new tab.
- To make every new Terminal window start in Command Prompt, open the dropdown again and select Settings.
- Select Startup, set Default profile to Command Prompt, and select Save.
Terminal cannot mix elevated and normal tabs in one window. To get an admin Command Prompt tab, start Terminal itself as administrator first.
Method 4: Open Command Prompt from Task Manager
Task Manager is the route to use when the taskbar or Start menu stops responding, because it opens with a key combination and has its own run dialog.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Run new task (on older layouts it sits under the File menu).
- Type
cmd.exein the box. - Tick the check box that creates the task with administrative privileges if you need an elevated window.
- Select OK. Command Prompt opens.
Microsoft uses this exact route in its own fix for blank taskbar icons, where Windows Explorer has to be closed first.
Method 5: Create a Desktop Shortcut for Command Prompt
A desktop shortcut gives you a double-click launch and a right-click route to an elevated window.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- In the location box, type
cmd.exeand select Next. - Type a name such as
Command Promptand select Finish. - Double-click the new icon to open a normal window, or right-click it and select Run as administrator for an elevated one.
Method 6: Pin Command Prompt to Start or the Taskbar
Pinning puts Command Prompt one click away, and a taskbar pin also gets a keyboard shortcut.
- Select the Search box on the taskbar, or press Windows key + S.
- Type
cmd. - Right-click Command Prompt in the results.
- Select Pin to taskbar, or Pin to Start.
- If Command Prompt is already open, you can instead right-click its taskbar icon and select Pin to taskbar.
Windows key + number opens the app pinned at that taskbar position. If Command Prompt is the third pinned icon, Windows key + 3 opens it.
Method 7: Open Command Prompt from Advanced Startup
The Windows Recovery Environment has its own Command Prompt for repair work when Windows will not start or cannot fix itself while running.
- Open Settings and select System > Recovery.
- Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now. From the sign-in screen, you can instead hold Shift while you select Power > Restart.
- On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- Enter your BitLocker recovery key if the drive is encrypted and Windows asks for it.
If Windows cannot start at all, turn the PC off during boot twice. The third start opens Automatic Repair, where Advanced options leads to the same menu.
Method 8: Open Command Prompt from Windows Setup
Windows installation media has a built-in Command Prompt, which is useful for preparing a disk before a clean install.
- Start the PC from a Windows 11 installation USB drive or DVD.
- Wait for the first Windows Setup screen to appear.
- Press Shift + F10. A Command Prompt window opens over Setup.
- Run the commands you need, for example
diskpart, then typeexitto close the window. - Continue the installation in the Setup window.
How to clear CMD screen in Windows 11
Command Prompt keeps every command and result on screen until you clear it. The cls command wipes the window and returns an empty prompt.
clsClears all text in the Command Prompt window. It takes no options apart from /?, which shows its help.
You should see: The window goes blank and only the prompt, such as C:\Users\YourName>, remains at the top.
How to Tell If Command Prompt Is Running as Administrator
Windows marks each process with an integrity level. Standard sessions run at Medium and elevated ones at High, and whoami shows which one your window has.
- In the Command Prompt window, type
whoami /groupsand press Enter. - Scroll to the Mandatory Label entry near the end of the list.
- High Mandatory Level means the window is elevated.
- Medium Mandatory Level means it is a normal window. Close it and reopen Command Prompt with Run as administrator.
Command Prompt vs. Windows Terminal in Windows 11
Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is the shell that runs your commands. Windows Terminal is a window that hosts shells, and since Windows 11 22H2 it is the default host for command-line apps.
| Command Prompt (cmd.exe) | Windows Terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The Windows command interpreter | A host app for Command Prompt, PowerShell and WSL |
| Tabs and panes | No, one window per session | Yes, tabs plus split panes |
| Runs PowerShell cmdlets | No, only Windows commands | Yes, in a PowerShell tab |
| Default opening shell | Always Command Prompt | PowerShell, changeable under Settings > Startup > Default profile |
| Classic console window | Yes, when the default terminal is Windows Console Host | No |
| Change which one opens | Settings > Privacy & security > For developers > Terminal | Terminal Settings > Startup > Default terminal application |
Pick Windows Console Host as the default terminal if you want cmd to open in the old standalone window again.
Useful Commands to Try After Opening Command Prompt
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
help |
Lists the built-in Windows commands with a one-line description of each |
ipconfig |
Shows your IP address, gateway and adapters; ipconfig /flushdns clears the DNS cache (full guide) |
ping bing.com |
Tests whether your PC can reach a host on the network |
whoami |
Prints the signed-in domain and user name |
systeminfo |
Shows the Windows version, build, install date and hardware summary |
tasklist |
Lists running processes with their process IDs |
dir |
Lists the files and folders in the current folder |
start notepad |
Launches a program from the prompt without blocking the window |
exit |
Closes the Command Prompt window |
CMD commands to manage Wireless Networks in Windows 11
The netsh wlan family manages Wi-Fi from the command line. Commands that show a saved key in clear text need an elevated window.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
netsh wlan show profiles |
Lists every saved Wi-Fi network profile |
netsh wlan show networks |
Lists the wireless networks currently in range |
netsh wlan show interfaces |
Shows your Wi-Fi adapter, its state and the network it is connected to |
netsh wlan connect name="HomeWiFi" |
Connects to a network using a saved profile |
netsh wlan disconnect |
Disconnects the Wi-Fi adapter from its current network |
netsh wlan delete profile name="OldWiFi" |
Removes a saved network so Windows stops joining it |
netsh wlan export profile name="HomeWiFi" key=clear folder=. |
Saves a profile to an XML file in the current folder, with the key in plain text when run as administrator |
netsh wlan show wlanreport |
Builds a report of recent Wi-Fi sessions and errors |
Useful Tips After Opening Command Prompt
| Tip | How |
|---|---|
| Get help for any command | Add /? after it, for example ipconfig /? |
| Switch to another drive and folder | Type cd /d D:\Projects to change drive and folder in one step |
| Complete file and folder names | Type the first letters and press Tab |
| Copy and paste | Select text and press Ctrl + C; press Ctrl + V to paste |
| Select text with the keyboard | Press Ctrl + M to enter Mark mode |
| Run several commands in a row | Join them with && so each runs only if the previous one succeeded |
| Save output to a file | Add > result.txt after a command |
| Leave the window | Type exit and press Enter |
Fix Command Prompt when it opens at startup or will not open
Command Prompt opens on startup by itself
An app or script registered to run at sign-in opens a console window.
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Find entries you do not recognise and set their toggle to Off.
- Or right-click Start, select Task Manager, open the Startup apps tab, select the entry and choose Disable.
- Restart the PC and check whether the window still appears.
- If the entry is unknown and keeps coming back, run a full scan in Windows Security.
Command Prompt will not open and a message says a setting prevents it
The Prevent access to the command prompt policy is turned on for your account.
- On a work or school PC, ask your IT administrator, because the policy is set on purpose.
- On your own Windows 11 Pro PC, press Windows key + R, type
gpedit.mscand press Enter. - Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
- Double-click Prevent access to the command prompt.
- Select Not Configured, then OK, and sign out and back in.
cmd opens in Windows Terminal instead of the classic window
Windows 11 22H2 and later use Windows Terminal as the default terminal application.
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > For developers.
- Find the Terminal setting.
- Choose Windows Console Host.
- Open Command Prompt again; it now starts in the standalone console window.
Run as administrator asks for a password
You are signed in with a standard account, so User Account Control shows a credential prompt.
- Enter the user name and password of an administrator account on the PC.
- Select Yes. The elevated window runs under that administrator's rights.
- If nobody knows an admin password, open a normal Command Prompt; commands that need elevation will not run.
Common Questions About Opening Command Prompt in Windows 11
How do I launch Command Prompt in Windows 11?
Select Start, type cmd and press Enter. For an elevated window, right-click Command Prompt in the search results and choose Run as administrator, then accept the User Account Control prompt. The Run box, the Win+X menu and Task Manager also open it.
How do I launch cmd from Run?
Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type cmd in the Open box and press Enter. This opens a normal Command Prompt window in your user folder. Use the Start search or Task Manager instead when you need administrator rights.
How do I open the Run command window?
Press Windows key + R. The Run dialog opens with an Open box, ready for a command such as cmd, notepad or gpedit.msc. Type the name, press Enter, and Windows starts that program in its own window.
Is there a shortcut to launch Command Prompt?
Windows 11 has no dedicated key combination for Command Prompt. The closest are Windows key + R followed by cmd, or pinning Command Prompt to the taskbar and pressing Windows key plus its position number. Win+X opens Terminal, where Command Prompt is one tab away.
Where do I open Command Prompt in Windows 11?
Command Prompt lives in Windows Search: select Start and type cmd. It also opens from the Run dialog, as a profile inside Windows Terminal, from Task Manager's Run new task, and from Troubleshoot > Advanced options in the recovery environment.
Why does Command Prompt open on startup?
A program or script set to run at sign-in is opening a console window. Check Settings > Apps > Startup or the Startup apps tab in Task Manager, turn off entries you do not recognise, and run a full Windows Security scan if an unknown entry keeps returning.
How do I launch Command Prompt from Windows Setup?
Press Shift + F10 while Windows Setup is on screen after booting from the installation USB or DVD. A Command Prompt window opens over Setup, where you can run tools such as diskpart. Type exit to close it and continue installing.
How do I launch cmd with a command already running?
Use the /k or /c switch. cmd /k ipconfig opens Command Prompt, runs ipconfig and keeps the window open. cmd /c ipconfig runs the command and then closes the window, which suits shortcuts and scripts.
How do I launch a program from Command Prompt?
Type the program's name and press Enter if it is on the system path, for example notepad. The start command, such as start notepad, launches it and hands the prompt straight back, and start /max opens it in a maximised window.
How do I open Command Prompt as administrator without the mouse?
Press Windows key + X, then use the arrow keys to select Terminal (Admin) and press Enter. Accept the User Account Control prompt, then open a Command Prompt tab from the dropdown next to the plus button.
Best Method for Each Situation
Use Start search with cmd for everyday work and right-click it for Run as administrator; switch to Task Manager's Run new task when the desktop is frozen, and to Advanced startup when Windows will not start. Search is the one route that opens both a normal and an elevated window from the same place, while Task Manager and the recovery environment still work when the normal shell does not.
