The fastest way depends on your operating system
A command window (also called a command prompt or terminal) is a text-based interface where you type instructions directly to your computer. On Windows, the command window is called Command Prompt or PowerShell. On Mac and Linux, it is called Terminal. Each one opens differently, and the steps take less than a minute.
You do not need special permissions or software to open a command window — it comes built into your operating system. Once it is open, you can type commands to manage files, run programs, troubleshoot problems, or check system information.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 10 and 11, press the Windows key and type "cmd" or "powershell", then press Enter to open the command window when ready.
- On Mac, open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "terminal", and press Enter to launch Terminal.
- On Linux, right-click on your desktop or open your applications menu and look for Terminal or Console.
- You can also open a command window in a specific folder by navigating there first, then using the right-click menu or keyboard shortcut.
- Command Prompt and PowerShell are different on Windows — PowerShell is newer and more powerful, but Command Prompt works for basic tasks.
Opening Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows
Command Prompt is the older, simpler command window. To open it: press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo), type "cmd", and press Enter. A black window will appear with a blinking cursor. You can now type commands.
PowerShell is the newer version with more features. To open it: press the Windows key, type "powershell", and press Enter. The window looks similar but has a blue background by default. Both do the same basic tasks, but PowerShell can handle more complex operations.
If you want to open a command window in a specific folder, navigate to that folder in File Explorer first. Then hold Shift and right-click inside the folder. You will see an option that says "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open command window here" (depending on your Windows version). Click it, and the command window opens already pointing to that folder.
Opening Terminal on Mac
On Mac, the command window is called Terminal. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight (the search box at the top of your screen). Type "terminal" and press Enter. Terminal will open with a white or black window, depending on your system settings.
You can also find Terminal by opening Finder, going to Applications, then Utilities, and double-clicking Terminal. This takes longer but works if you prefer not to use Spotlight.
If you want to open Terminal in a specific folder, open Finder and navigate to that folder. Then go to the Finder menu at the top, click Services, and look for "New Terminal at Folder" or "New Terminal Tab at Folder". Click it, and Terminal opens pointing to that location.
Opening Terminal on Linux
On Linux, the command window is called Terminal or Console. The exact steps depend on which desktop environment you use (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, etc.), but the most common method is to right-click on your desktop and look for "Open Terminal Here" or "Open in Terminal". Click it, and Terminal opens.
If right-clicking does not show that option, open your applications menu (usually at the top or bottom of the screen) and search for "Terminal" or "Console". Click the result to open it.
Many Linux users also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T to open Terminal quickly. Try this first — it works on most distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora.
What to do once the command window is open
Once your command window is open, you will see a prompt — a line of text ending with a symbol like > or $. This is where you type commands. Type a command and press Enter to run it. The computer will execute the command and show you the result.
If you are new to the command line, start with straightforward commands like dir (on Windows) or ls (on Mac and Linux) to list the files in your current folder. Type the command exactly as shown and press Enter.
To close the command window, type exit and press Enter, or click the X button in the corner of the window.
Troubleshooting: command window will not open
If pressing Windows + typing "cmd" does not work on Windows, try right-clicking on your desktop and looking for "Command Prompt" or "PowerShell" in the menu. If that does not appear, your system may have a different setup — try opening the Start menu and scrolling through the list of programs to find Command Prompt manually.
On Mac, if Spotlight does not open when you press Command + Space, check your keyboard settings. Go to System Preferences, click Keyboard, then Spotlight, and make sure Spotlight is turned on. If Terminal still will not open, restart your computer and try again.
On Linux, if the keyboard shortcut does not work, your distribution may use a different one. Check your system settings or documentation for your specific desktop environment. Opening the applications menu and searching for Terminal is the most reliable method across all Linux versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Command Prompt and PowerShell?
Command Prompt is older and simpler, with basic commands that have worked for decades. PowerShell is newer and more powerful, with advanced features for system administration. For most everyday tasks, either one works fine. PowerShell is better if you plan to write scripts or manage complex systems.
Can I open multiple command windows at once?
Yes. Open one command window, then repeat the steps to open another. Each window runs independently, so you can type different commands in each one. This is useful when you need to run multiple tasks at the same time or compare output from different commands.
Why does my command window close when ready after I open it?
This usually happens if a command finishes running and the window closes automatically. To keep it open, type cmd in the Windows search box, right-click on Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator". Or open PowerShell instead — it tends to stay open longer by default.
Do I need administrator permissions to open a command window?
No, you can open a regular command window without administrator permissions. However, some commands require administrator access to run. If a command fails with a permission error, right-click on Command Prompt or PowerShell and select "Run as administrator" to open it with higher permissions.
Can I customize how the command window looks?
Yes. Right-click the title bar of the command window and select Properties (on Windows) or Preferences (on Mac). You can change the text size, colors, font, and window size. These settings save for next time you open the window.