Command Prompt at Startup

How to Open a Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to open a command prompt at boot from the System Recovery Options or Advanced Boot Options screen in Windows 7.

   Note

Command Prompt is a feature of Windows 7 that provides an entry point for typing MS‑DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) commands and other computer commands. The most important thing to know is that by typing commands, you can perform tasks on your computer without using the Windows 7 graphical interface (GUI). Command Prompt is typically only used by advanced users.

OPTION ONE

To Open a Command Prompt at Boot

1. Boot from either your Windows 7 installation disc or Windows 7 System Repair Disc, and press Shift + F10 when at either screen below.



A) Go to step 3.
OR

2. Boot to the System Recovery Options screen, and select the Command Prompt option. (see screenshot below)
A) Continue on to step 3.
3. A command prompt window will now open. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: To exit and restart to the Windows 7 logon screen, close the command prompt window and click on the Restart button on the screenshot below step 2.

OPTION TWO

To Boot to "Safe Mode with Command Prompt"

   Note

This starts Windows 7 in safe mode with a command prompt window instead of the usual Windows interface.

1. Boot to the Advanced Boot Options screen.

2. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
3. Windows 7 will now start loading Safe Mode with Command Prompt. (See screenshot below)
4. When finished, you are now in Safe Mode with Command Prompt. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: To exit from here, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete or type Exit and press Enter to restart the computer.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Open a Command Prompt in Windows 7
• How to Open a Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

 

[Brink]

To run a "Clean" command on the OS drive, you would want to boot from the DVD to open a command prompt.

You wouldn't be able to do so using Method 2 since the OS would be loaded and in use.

 

[Scoop]

To run a "Clean" command on the OS drive, you would want to boot from the DVD to open a command prompt.

You wouldn't be able to do so using Method 2 since the OS would be loaded and in use.

Thanks , that's what I thought but wasn't certain before your posts.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[mcmabm11]

Hey, I am unable to get to command prompt to run at boot using this guide.

I am attempting to repair a friend's laptop (Lenovo T430s, running windows 7), and not having much success.

When I attempt to use Option 1, boot using the Windows 7 Repair disk, via USB, it usually reaches the "Select Language" popup. I select US, but then it does not reach the following popups where it lets you use recovery options, among them the CMD.exe.

When I attempt to use Option 2, boot to safe mode with command prompt, the boot gets stuck at "Loaded: \windows\system32\drivers\CLASSPNP.SYS"

I'm unsure of what else to try, short of letting option 1 run for a few hours in hopes that it it just loading the next pop-up very, very slowly. The thing is, I've reached the next pop-up before on the friend's computer, and attempted the repair, but now I can't even get that far.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Brink]

Hello mcmabm, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Do you have a Windows 7 installation DVD/USB that you could boot from instead to see how Option One will work with it?

 

[mcmabm11]

I do not have a Windows 7 installation DVD. I'm studying abroad, and trying to help a fellow student with what I can get from the internet. Sorry for the delay. Apparently the University IT is going to handle it, so I guess this is all moot now. Thanks anyways!

 

[Brink]

Ok. If you have any other questions, then please feel free to ask.

 

[Scoop]

Shawn,

I have a Win 7 OEM disk for my Desktop PC. Can I get to the CMD prompt using Option 1 <shift> F10 with this disk, the same as with a Retail disk?

The disk package says "OEM System Builder Pack". It's the white OEM package (Win 7 Home Premium x64).

 

[Brink]

Hey Scoop,

Since it's a retail OEM, you should be able to. If not for any reason, you could also create a System Repair Disc to use for this.

The OEM recovery discs that sometimes come included with preinstalled OEM computers cannot be used for this.

 

[Scoop]

Hey Scoop,

Since it's a retail OEM, you should be able to. If not for any reason, you could also create a System Repair Disc to use for this.

The OEM recovery discs that sometimes come included with preinstalled OEM computers cannot be used for this.

Thanks for the info I created the disc and added it to my "restore/recovery" PC kit. Contents looked ok, bootmgr, boot folder, etc.

I didn't see the "create disc" option in my Control Panel but the recdisc.exe worked great. I think the reason I can't see that option in my Control Panel is that I have Acronis 2011 installed and it appears that Acronis overrides the Windows default "Restore" options.

I see an option in Control Panel to "Turn On Windows Backup". When I clicked that option, this dialog appears.

I canceled it since I'm cloning and Imaging with 3rd-party tools.

If that's enabled, does that activate the Windows imaging tool so the user can use the built-in Windows Imaging options?

 

[Brink]

Scoop,

The built-in Windows Backup and System Image will always be there, but may just not show up in the Control Panel due to Acronis replacing it.

If you click on Yes in that confirmation dialog, it would seem that it would restore Windows Backup in the Control Panel.

If not, then I have a ton of shortcuts and context menu options that you could use to make using Windows Backup and System Image easier. Just let me know.

 

[Scoop]

Scoop,

The built-in Windows Backup and System Image will always be there, but may just not show up in the Control Panel due to Acronis replacing it.

If you click on Yes in that confirmation dialog, it would seem that it would restore Windows Backup in the Control Panel.

If not, then I have a ton of shortcuts and context menu options that you could use to make using Windows Backup and System Image easier. Just let me know.

Yes, I'm interested in those shortcuts . I'd like to try the Windows System Imager out since I haven't previously used Windows backup tools, while at the same time, leaving my Control Panel as it currently is set up (with Acronis taking the priority within the Control Panel).

Does the Windows System Image tool provide a way to Image the HDD outside of Windows, like with a bootable media that I use with Macrium and Acronis?

 

[Brink]

Sure thing Scoop. Here's the System Image shortcut.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/111674-create-system-image-shortcut-create.html

Unfortunately, a system image can only be created in Windows.

Macrium Reflect Free would be a good option though.

 

[Scoop]

Sure thing Scoop. Here's the System Image shortcut.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/111674-create-system-image-shortcut-create.html

Unfortunately, a system image can only be created in Windows.

Macrium Reflect Free would be a good option though.

Shawn,

Thanks for the link

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[wayno01]

command prompt at startup

hey all,
I have followed the tutorial by Brink (shawn) and going well screen gets to loading windows files but goes straight to login window and skips the actual command prompt window the black screen that comes up after loading windows files where have I gone wrong? cheers

 

[Brink]

Hello Wayno01, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Which option are you trying, and at what step does it go wrong for you?

 

[55trucker]

I realize that this thread is old but it is the only one I came across that touches on what I am trying to do with my boot loader.

Taking what Shawn started here a bit further.......

what is the syntax that needs to be entered to add to the boot loader menu from within the safe Mode list.......

*Disable Driver Signature Enforcement*

why you ask?

it is the only way that my 32bit op/sys will boot up recognizing the full 20gig of ram that is installed onto the motherboard.


Safe Mode with Networking - Add to Windows Boot Manager Screen

I have a modded kernel installed to allow all the ram to be seen but to get the op/sys to boot up I have to *F8* to get to the safe mode menu & then scan down to select the above option.....I want to move that option to the main boot loader menu but I'm having difficulties entering the correct syntax