Open Command Window Here

How to Use "Open Command Window Here" in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to use the Open Command Window Here context menu item of a folder or drive to open a command prompt with the focus at the folder or drive location in Windows 7.

This will make it easier to perform a command task at that folder or drive location instead of having to open a command prompt normally and manually type the folder location in it using the CD\ command.

   Note

• The Open Command Window Here context menu is only available for a folder, included library folder, or drive in Windows Explorer, Navigation Pane, and on the Desktop.
• The Open Command Window Here context menu is not available for a Library or files (ex: exe, txt, etc...).
• The Open Command Window Here context menu item only opens a normal command prompt and not an elevated command prompt.

   Warning

This will not work with Library folders.

EXAMPLE: "Open Command Window Here" for a Folder and Drive




Here's How:
1. Press and hold the Shift key and right click on the folder or drive that you want to open a command prompt with the focus at, and click on Open Command Window Here.

2. Release the Shift key.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• 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 Use "Open Command Window Here" Context Menu Item without Shift+ Right Click
• How to Open a Command Prompt in Windows 7
• 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 Window 7 Command Prompt
• How to Expand the Windows 7 Context Menu for More Options
• How to Personalize the Command Prompt Window

 

[Darryl Licht]

Now that's a cool trick/tool for those of us who have experience at the old DOS prompt!

 

[Spike09]

Is it in "run as administrator" mode?

 

[Brink]

Hello Spike, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but no. It's not a elevated (run as adminsitrator) command prompt.

 

[cclloyd9785]

is there a way that i can run a command window as an admin, from where it says Open Command Window Here on the context menus?

 

[Brink]

Working on it now for you Lloyd. I'll post back when the new tutorial is finished.

 

[Brink]

Ok Lloyd. Here you go.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47415-open-command-window-here-administrator.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[geere04]

thanks...i got it....more power...

 

[johngalt]

Hey, Brink, ltns.

I just ran into some very odd behavior that I'm hoping you might clear up.

I used this method to open a cmd prompt window at a particular directory, but an application that is installed to Program Files refuses to work - but if I open a cmd prompt normally, and navigate to the same directory the tool works from its installation location in C:\Program Files (x86)\.

Any ideas on why this odd behavior is occurring?

 

[Brink]

Hello John,

Not sure. Go ahead and post a screenshot showing the command prompt and what command you entered with it to see if something may show as why.

 

[johngalt]

OK, I'm going to be posting the screen shots in a little bit - it involves the use of the EXIF tool by Phil Harvey - I have a ton (~40 GB) of photos and video from my Hawai'i trip but moving all the pics from my phone and cameras to my PC changed all the System File Date settings to current time, so I now have to go back and fix all that.

The tool works normally when I open a command prompt anywhere using the normal cmd shortcut, but if I use this particular trick, it's like Windows is ignoring the path command completely and does not let me execute the tool.

 

[johngalt]

Haha. In trying to take my screencaps I figured out what the problem was.

If I already had run the tool in one instance cmd, then it cannot run again in another instance until I close out the first one

I feel like a dork now.

 

[Brink]

Ooops. At least you got it sorted though.

 

[johngalt]

Yup.

 

[TheLucmann]

I dont see it

Hi!

i tried the to open the "open command window" but whenever i hold shift and left click i dont get the option. does any1 here know how to help me?


-Luc

 

[Brink]

Hello Luc, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It would need to be Shift + right click instead on a folder or drive.

 

[TheLucmann]

fail!

ohh!
srry i ment to say that i tried the right one, it wont work when i do it that way.

 

[Brink]

No problem. In that case, see if it shows up after using the tutorial below to add/restore "Open command windows here" back.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/134831-open-command-window-here-add-remove.html

 

[TheLucmann]

ot still wont come up

 

[Brink]

How about when you only right click on a folder or drive?