The fastest way to open a folder from cmd

To open a folder from Command Prompt, type start followed by the folder path, then press Enter. For example, if you want to open your Downloads folder, you would type start C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads and the folder opens in File Explorer when ready.

The start command tells Windows to launch the default program for whatever file or folder you name — in this case, File Explorer. You do not need to know the full path if the folder is in your current directory; you can straightforward type start FolderName and it works the same way.

If the folder name has spaces in it, wrap the path in quotation marks: start "C:\Program Files\My Folder". Without the quotes, Command Prompt reads the space as a separator and looks for a folder called just C:\Program, which does not exist.

Key Takeaways

  • The start command opens a folder in File Explorer from Command Prompt by typing start followed by the folder path.
  • You can use a full path like C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads or just the folder name if you are already in that directory.
  • Folder names with spaces must be wrapped in quotation marks, or Command Prompt will misread the path.
  • You can also type start . (start followed by a period) to open the current folder you are in.

Finding the exact path to your folder

If you are not sure what the full path to your folder is, the easiest way is to open File Explorer, navigate to the folder, and copy the path from the address bar. Click the address bar at the top of File Explorer where it shows the folder location, select all the text, and copy it.

Then go back to Command Prompt, type start, paste the path you copied, and press Enter. This method removes the guesswork and works even for folders buried several levels deep or in unusual locations.

Another option: if you already have the folder open in File Explorer, you can type cmd in the address bar of File Explorer itself, and Command Prompt opens already positioned in that folder. Then you can use start . to open it again, or navigate from there using other commands.

Using the period shortcut for your current location

When you are already inside a folder in Command Prompt, typing start . (the word start, a space, and a period) opens that exact folder in File Explorer. The period is a shorthand that means "the current directory."

This is useful when you have navigated deep into a folder structure using Command Prompt and want to see the files visually. Instead of typing out the entire path, the period gets you there when ready.

Opening a folder and staying in Command Prompt

The start command opens the folder in File Explorer but leaves Command Prompt running in the background. If you want to open the folder without launching a separate window, use the explorer command instead — it does the same thing but is slightly more direct.

Type explorer C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads and the folder opens. Like start, it requires quotation marks around paths with spaces: explorer "C:\Program Files\My Folder".

Both commands work identically for most purposes. The start command is more flexible because it can open any file type with its default program, not just folders, but for folders alone, explorer is slightly cleaner.

What to do if the folder does not open

If you type the command and nothing happens, the most common reason is a typo in the path. Check that you spelled the folder name correctly and that the drive letter (usually C:) is right. Command Prompt will not give you an error message if the path does not exist — it straightforward does nothing.

If the folder name contains special characters like ampersands (&) or parentheses, wrap the entire path in quotation marks. For example: start "C:\Users\YourUsername\My (Folder) & Files".

If you are trying to open a network folder (a shared drive on another computer), make sure you are connected to the network and that the path uses the correct format: start \\ComputerName\SharedFolder. Network paths use backslashes instead of forward slashes and do not include a drive letter.

Opening multiple folders at once

You can open more than one folder by typing multiple start commands in a row. Type start C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads, press Enter, then type start C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents, and press Enter again. Both folders open in separate File Explorer windows.

This is faster than opening File Explorer and navigating to each folder individually, especially if the folders are in different locations on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a folder and run a program from the same command?

Not directly in one line, but you can type two separate commands. Type start FolderPath to open the folder, press Enter, then type your program command. If you need them to run together, you can use an ampersand: start FolderPath & start ProgramName, though this is rarely necessary.

What if my folder path has a colon in the name?

Colons are not allowed in Windows folder names except for the drive letter at the start of a path, so this should not happen. If you see a colon elsewhere, it is likely part of the path syntax and not the folder name itself.

Does the start command work on Mac or Linux?

No. On Mac, use open FolderPath instead. On Linux, use nautilus FolderPath or xdg-open FolderPath depending on your desktop environment. The concept is the same, but the command name changes.

Can I open a folder that requires administrator permissions?

Yes, but Command Prompt itself must be running as administrator. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" before typing the command. Then use start as normal.

What is the difference between start and explorer for opening folders?

Both open folders in File Explorer identically. The start command is more general — it can open any file type with its default program. The explorer command is specific to File Explorer. For folders, either works.