Command prompt can perform tasks such as shutdown the system ('shutdown /s'), and also be used to access parts of the operating system that are not available through the graphical user interface. It means you gain more control over the PC and communicate with it in a more direct way.Ĭommon cmd commands include ‘dir’, which lists an alphabetised list of files in each directory, ‘cd’ which changes the current working directory, and ‘copy’ which copies files from one directory to another. The command prompt works at a more basic level than Windows, but that is not to say it isn't powerful. How does the command prompt work and why would you use it? It can also be done through Task Manager: simply open it up, open the 'File' menu and CTRL+click 'Run New Task' to immediately launch command prompt as administrator. To do this, right click the icon in the search bar or on the taskbar and select 'run as administrator.' This can be done in either of the previous two methods by either right-clicking the icon in search or by selecting the admin option from the Power Users menu.Īny major changes to the system made with command prompt will likely require you to run it as an administrator. If you want to make serious changes to your system using command prompt, you'll most likely have to run as administrator.

If you like your keyboard shortcuts, Windows+X will open the Power Users menu from which command prompt can be launched with one click.

There are many different ways to open the program, the simplest of which involves simply typing 'command prompt' or 'cmd' into the Windows 10 search bar and it will be the top result. Best Windows laptops 2023: Top Windows 10 and 11 laptops to consider Windows 10 Pro vs Home vs Enterprise: Which is best for your business? How to turn on Windows Defender How to open the command prompt

Command prompt command