Windows Explorer "Command Prompt Here"

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I frequently find myself with a folder open in Windows, wishing to have a command prompt open with the same working directory.

I am aware of Power Toys "Command Prompt", but that only works as a context menu item on the folder, and not from inside the folder if you are already there. I know you can navigate to the parent directory, and use it from there, but if the parent has thousands of directories in it, this is not so convenient. I have tried some home-brewed batch files associated with folder actions in explorer, but those suffer from similar problems.

So, what is the quickest way to open a command prompt with a working directory of the current windows explorer folder?

My current approach: (horrible)

  • Alt - D, Ctrl - C (copy path)
  • Win - R, "cmd", Enter (start command prompt)
  • "cd", Space (start a change directory command)
  • Alt - Space, e, p (paste directory)
  • Enter (execute change directory)

I know there is something better! What is it?

windows-explorer command-line windows
16 Answers

Hold Shift while Right-Clicking a blank space in the desired folder to bring up a more verbose context menu. One of the options is Open Command Window Here. This works in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Since Windows 10 Creators Update, the option has been replaced with Open PowerShell Here. However, there are ways to enable Open Command Window Here again.

user_462010

Just type "cmd" to location bar, that's it. It will start a new command prompt in current path.

This solution was confirmed to work in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (including Creators Update).

Keystrokes to move the focus to the location bar:

  • AltD in English (pointed out by Tim Stewart in the comments)
  • AltE in German
Slough_403220
user_337320

I use StExBar, a Windows Explorer extension that gives you a command prompt button in explorer along with some other cool features (copy path, copy file name & more).

https://tools.stefankueng.com/StExBar.html

EDIT: I just found out (been using it for more than a year and did not know this) that Ctrl+M will do it with StExBar. How's that for fast!

user_3120

Almost the same as yours:

  • Alt+d, Ctrl+c
  • Win+r
  • cmd /K cd , Ctrl+v, ENTER
Sam_Meldrum_160050

If that's so bothering, you could try to switch to windows explorer alternative like freecommander which has a toolbar button for that purpose.

Gennady_Shumakher_425120
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