Windows 10: Open command prompt - how it works

Like the previous versions of Windows, Windows 10 also has the command prompt. Using the command line, you can control your system with so-called CMD commands. However, some of the text commands require administrator approval.

This is how you call the command prompt in Windows 10

If you want to call the command prompt in Windows 10, this works for example via the Run dialog.

1. Press the [Windows] and [R] keys to open the Run dialog.
2. Enter the command "CMD" in the input field.
3. Confirm the entry with [Enter] or by clicking "Ok".

Alternatively to the Run dialog, you can also call the command prompt via the Windows Start menu.

1. Open the Start menu and enter "CMD".
2. Click the app "Command Prompt" in the search results.

Run Command Prompt as Administrator

To use the full scope of Command Prompt, you must run the command line as an administrator. This is because without the appropriate clearance, you will not be able to use some of the CMD commands.

1. Return to the Run dialog and enter the command "CMD" in the input field.
2. Hold down [Ctrl] and [Shift] and press [Enter].
3. Finally, confirm with "Yes" to open the command prompt as administrator.

You can also start the command prompt as an administrator via the Start menu.

1. Call up the Start menu and enter "CMD".
2. Right-click the search result "Command Prompt" and select the option "Run as administrator".