How to Run Command Prompt Commands from a Windows Shortcut

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 Tested

To create a Windows shortcut that runs a command at the command prompt, right-click the desktop → select “Shortcut” → Enter the command (prefaced by “|%comspec% /k” → Click “Next” → Enter a name for the shortcut → click “Finish”.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Desktop Shortcut

1
Right-click a blank area of the desktop.^{[1]
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2
Click Shortcut.

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3
Type %comspec% /k into the text box.
- The -k flag keeps the command prompt window open after the command is run. You can remove the flag if you prefer the window closes right away.
4
Press the spacebar.
5
Type the command you want to run. Whatever command you type after %comspec% /k is the one that will run when you double-click this shortcut. For example:^{[2]
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- %comspec% /k ping www.google.com will ping www.google.com when you double-click the shortcut.
- %comspec% /k sfc scannow will scan all protected system files when you double-click the shortcut.
6
Click Next.
7
Enter a name for the shortcut. This is the text that will appear under the icon.
- For example, if the shortcut pings Google, you could type ping google.
8
Click Finish. The shortcut is now on your desktop.
9
Double-click the shortcut to run the command. The command prompt window will appear, and you’ll see your command running.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Keyboard Shortcut

1
Create a desktop shortcut for the command. A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keyboard keys you press to run a command or program. To create one for a command line command, make sure you’ve already created a desktop shortcut.^{[3]
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- Keyboard shortcuts will follow the format Ctrl+Alt+[other key].
- You’ll be able to choose a letter, number, or punctuation key as the “other key.” For example, b, ., 3.
2
Right-click the desktop shortcut.
3
Click Properties. The “Shortcut” tab of the Properties screen will appear.
4
Click into the “Shortcut Key” box.
5
Press a letter, number, or punctuation key. The text box will fill with the entire shortcut using the key you press.
- For example, if you press p, the text in the box will change to Ctrl + Alt + P.
- If you create multiple keyboard shortcuts, make sure not to use the same key twice.^{[4]
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6
Click OK. You’ll now return to the desktop.
7
Press Ctrl+Alt+[other key] to run the command. The command prompt window will appear, running the command you set up in the desktop shortcut.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I make a shortcut for run command?

Community Answer

You can pin command prompt to your taskbar. Just open cmd and right click, then press "Pin to taskbar."