The fastest way to open a terminal in Windows

The quickest method is to press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. This opens Command Prompt, the standard terminal for Windows. If you want PowerShell instead (a more modern terminal with additional features), press Windows key + R, type powershell, and press Enter.

Both terminals do the same basic job — they let you type commands instead of clicking through menus. Command Prompt uses older syntax; PowerShell uses newer syntax and can do more. For most tasks, either one works. If you are following instructions from a guide and it specifies which one to use, use that one.

You can also right-click on your desktop or inside any folder and look for "Open in Terminal" or "Open Command Prompt here" — the exact wording depends on your Windows version. This opens the terminal already pointed at that location, which saves you a step.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt in seconds.
  • Press Windows key + R, type powershell, and press Enter to open PowerShell, which is newer and more powerful.
  • Right-clicking in a folder and selecting "Open in Terminal" opens the terminal already inside that folder.
  • Windows 11 includes Windows Terminal, a newer process that runs both Command Prompt and PowerShell in tabs.

Opening Command Prompt from the Start menu

If you prefer using the Start menu, click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner, type cmd, and press Enter when "Command Prompt" appears in the results. This is slower than the Windows key + R method but works the same way.

You can also right-click on "Command Prompt" in the search results and select "Run as administrator" if the task you are about to do requires administrator permissions. Many system-level commands need this higher permission level to run.

Opening PowerShell from the Start menu

Click the Windows icon, type powershell, and press Enter. PowerShell appears in the results as "Windows PowerShell" or just "PowerShell" depending on your Windows version.

Like Command Prompt, you can right-click PowerShell in the search results and select "Run as administrator" if you need elevated permissions. PowerShell is the direction Microsoft is moving toward — it is more flexible and can handle more complex tasks — but Command Prompt still works for basic commands.

Using Windows Terminal (Windows 11)

Windows 11 includes Windows Terminal, a newer process that runs Command Prompt and PowerShell side by side in tabs. Open it by pressing Windows key + R, typing wt, and pressing Enter. You can also search for "Windows Terminal" in the Start menu.

Windows Terminal looks cleaner and lets you switch between Command Prompt and PowerShell without closing and reopening. Click the dropdown arrow next to the plus sign at the top to choose which terminal to open in a new tab. If you are on Windows 10, Windows Terminal is available free from the Microsoft Store, though it is not installed by default.

Opening a terminal in a specific folder

Navigate to the folder where you want to work. Right-click inside the folder (on empty space, not on a file) and look for "Open in Terminal" or "Open Command Prompt here" or "Open PowerShell window here" — the exact wording varies by Windows version and what you have installed.

This saves you from typing the folder path manually. The terminal opens already pointing at that location, so any commands you run work on files in that folder. This is especially useful when you are working with files in a specific project folder.

Keeping the terminal open after a command finishes

By default, some terminals close automatically after a command finishes running. If you want to see the results before the window disappears, type pause at the end of your command line, or add it on a new line after running a batch file. The terminal will wait for you to press a key before closing.

Alternatively, open the terminal manually (using one of the methods above) instead of double-clicking a batch file. When you open it yourself, it stays open until you close it, giving you time to read the output.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Command Prompt and PowerShell?

Command Prompt is older and uses simpler syntax. PowerShell is newer, more powerful, and can handle complex scripting tasks. For basic commands, either works. If instructions specify one, use that one. PowerShell can run most Command Prompt commands, but not always the reverse.

Do I need administrator permissions to open a terminal?

No, you can open a terminal normally without administrator permissions. However, some commands require elevated permissions to run. If a command fails with a "permission denied" message, close the terminal, right-click it in the Start menu or search results, select "Run as administrator", and try again.

Why does my terminal close when ready after I run a command?

This usually happens when you double-click a batch file or script instead of opening the terminal manually. Open the terminal yourself first (using Windows key + R or the Start menu), then run the command. The terminal will stay open so you can see the results.

Can I make a terminal open in a specific folder by default?

Yes. Open the terminal, then use the cd command to change to the folder you want. For example, type cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents and press Enter. The terminal now points at that folder. You can create a shortcut that does this automatically, but the manual method is simpler for occasional use.