How to Open Terminal in Windows

Co-authored by Ken Colburn

Last Updated: June 10, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to open the Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal window, using a Windows PC. You can open the Command Prompt or PowerShell 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
Open your computer's Start menu. Click the Windows
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
Type cmd, Command Prompt or PowerShell. After opening the Start menu, type this on your keyboard to search the menu items. Command Prompt or PowerShell will show up as the top result.
- Alternatively, you can manually find Command Prompt or PowerShell on the Start menu.
- Command Prompt or PowerShell 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
Click the
Command Prompt or PowerShell app on the menu. This will open the Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal in a new window.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Right-Click Menu

1
Right-click on the Start menu
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 or PowerShell from a specific directory.
2
Find "Command Prompt" or "PowerShell" 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
Click
Command Prompt or PowerShell on the right-click menu. This will open the Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal in a new window.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the Run Tool

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
Type cmd in the Run window. This shortcut will open the Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal.
3
Click OK in the Run window. This will run your shortcut command, and open the Command Prompt or PowerShell terminal in a new window.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I open terminal on Mac?

Ken Colburn
Consumer Electronics Expert
Ken Colburn is a Consumer Electronics Expert and the Founder & CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services. With more than 34 years of experience, he specializes in computer checkups and repairs, data recovery, and teaching others about technology. Ken also provides one-minute tech tips through his broadcast, Data Doctors Tech Tips.

Ken Colburn

Consumer Electronics Expert

Expert Answer

There's actually a terminal application in the Utilities folder that you can click out. Or, you can use the command space shortcut and type in the word "terminal," which essentially gets you to the command line. From there, type the word "terminal" to access the terminal application that way.