Command Prompt

How to Open a Command Prompt in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to open only a non-elevated a command prompt without administrator rights instead of an elevated command prompt with administrator rights (Run as administrator) in Windows 7.

   Warning

Some commands will need to be used in an elevated command prompt instead for them to work.

EXAMPLE: Command Prompt
NOTE: Notice how the command prompt opens to C:\Users\(user name) and not C:\Windows\System32 as a elevated command prompt with administrator rights.

OPTION ONE

Open a Command Prompt from Start Menu

1. Open the Start Menu, click on All Programs, Accessories, and on Command Prompt. (aee screenshot below)

OR

2. Open the Start Menu, type cmd in the search box and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

Open a Command Prompt from the Context Menu of a Folder or Drive

1. Press and hold Shift, then right click on a folder or drive that you want to open the command prompt at that location for, and click on Open Command Prompt Here.

OPTION THREE

Open a Command Prompt from Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC).

2. Click on File (menu bar), then press and hold the CTRL key while clicking on New Task (Run...). (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Open a Command Prompt at Startup in Windows 7
• How to Open a Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 7
• How to Enable Copy to Clipboard from the Windows 7 Command Prompt
• How to Use "Open Command Window Here" in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove "Open Command Window Here" from the Context Menu
• Add or Remove "Open Command Window Here as Administrator" to the Context Menu
• How to Personalize the Command Prompt Window
• How to Enable or Disable the Command Prompt in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Turn On or Off Command Prompt QuickEdit Mode in Windows

 

[TManTM]

If you have a prior restore point, you can try to recover the cmd.exe in the system32 folder with Shadow Explorer.

I tried the shadowexplorer and the nearest thing I have to cmd is the cmddll and cmdl32. Both don't do the cmd.

Sorry, the cmd key opens the command prompt for a millesecond. Then it closes.

 

[Brink]

Hello TmanTM,

You might see if running a sfc /scannow command may be able to restore the default C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe file for you.

 

[TManTM]

I have downloaded a windows xp version of the cmd.exe because I can't find a windows 7 version. I tried the sfc /scannow command but it says the restore process failed to start or something like that. Should I njust use the cmd.exe that I downloaded?

 

[Brink]

TmanTM,

No, don't use a XP copy. Here's a clean copy from my system in ZIP file below. After you download the ZIP file, extract (drag and drop) the cmd.exe file to your desktop, unblock the extracted cmd.exe file, then copy it into your C:\Windows\System32 folder.

 

[TManTM]

It is working now. Thank you so much for your time and effort.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome TManTM.

 

[Henrys]

Hello, I tried each of the methods to open a command prompt not as an administrator, and each of the methods resulted in me getting a command prompt window as an administrator. Does this mean I have a setting somewhere to make the command prompt open as an administrator of which I am not aware? Advice to resolve this would be appreciated. (Windows 7 Home)
Regards,
Henry

 

[Brink]

Hello Henrys,

As a test, type diskpart in the command prompt and press Enter to see if you are prompted by UAC or get an access denied message.

 

[Henrys]

I can run Diskpart.

 

[Henrys]

The main reason I wanted to run the command prompt not as an administrator was because I wanted to run the ASP.NET Configuration tool in VS2013 and I found a blog that included instructions to do so.
Accessing the ASP.NET Web Configuration Tool in Visual Studio 2013 - .NET Web Development and Tools Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

However, I decided when I need the ASP.NET configuration tool I will use it in VS2012, then resume my work in VS2013. It is a simple solution. So now there is no need to run the cmd not as an admin, except for knowledge sake, which is optional at this point.

If you happen to know what would cause one to always run the command prompt as an admin it would be appreciated. I think at one time, I may have tinkered with some settings thinking as a web developer I'd "always" want to run as an admin to do my work, so I might as well set the thing to do so, but it's been so long that I don't recall how to undo the setting, or even what settings I may have changed.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Brink]

Here are a couple of items that could cause this.

Are you logged in to the built-in elevated "Administrator" account?

Did you disable UAC?

 

[Henrys]

Yes, you pegged it. I am logged in as Admin on my PC. Doing web development it's often easier to get things done this way, I guess not always.

I do appreciate your help. thank you.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[Berny]

I deleted cmd from computer.. what i need to do??? Please help.

 

[Brink]

Hello Berny, and welcome to Seven Forums.

No worries. Since cmd.exe is a Windows system file, you can run the SFC /SCANNOW command to restore it.