How to Open Terminal in Windows

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Command Prompt terminal window, using a Windows PC. You can open the Command Prompt from your Start menu or from any folder in the File Explorer. You can also use the Windows Run feature.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Using the Start Menu

  1. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 1
    1
    Open your computer's Start menu. Click the Windows
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    icon on the bottom-left corner of your desktop or press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
    • Alternatively, you can click the search or Cortana button next to the Start menu icon.
  2. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 2
    2
    Type cmd or Command Prompt. After opening the Start menu, type this on your keyboard to search the menu items. Command Prompt will show up as the top result.
    • Alternatively, you can manually find Command Prompt on the Start menu.
    • Command Prompt is in the Windows System folder on Windows 10 & 8, and in the Accessories folder under All Programs on Windows 7, Vista & XP.
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  3. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 3
    3
    Click the
    Image titled Windowscmd1.png
    Command Prompt app on the menu.     This will open the Command Prompt terminal in a new window.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Using the Right-Click Menu

  1. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 4
    1
    Right-click on the Start menu
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    icon.     You can find this button in the lower-left corner of your desktop. It will open your Power User Menu options in a pop-up.
    • You can also just press ⊞ Win+X on your keyboard to open this menu.
    • Alternatively, you can right-click on any folder to start Command Prompt from a specific directory.
  2. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 5
    2
    Find "Command Prompt" on the right-click menu. It's usually located between "Computer Management" and "Task Manager" on the Power User Menu.
    • If you right-click on a folder instead of the Start menu, you will see Open command window here on the right-click menu.
  3. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 6
    3
    Click
    Image titled Windowscmd1.png
    Command Prompt on the right-click menu.     This will open the Command Prompt terminal in a new window.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Using the Run Tool

  1. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 7
    1
    Press ⊞ Win+R on your keyboard. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard, and press the "R" button. This will open the "Run" tool in a new pop-up window.
    • Alternatively, you can find and click Run on the Start menu.
  2. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 8
    2
    Type cmd in the Run window. This shortcut will open the Command Prompt terminal.
  3. Image titled Open Terminal in Windows Step 9
    3
    Click OK in the Run window. This will run your shortcut command, and open the Command Prompt terminal in a new window.
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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 86,423 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: November 15, 2020
Views: 86,423
Categories: Windows
Article SummaryX

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type "cmd".
3. Click Command Prompt.

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