How to Open File With Command Prompt & PowerShell

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Want to use the command line to open a file? Here are some easy ways to Open File With Command Prompt & PowerShell. Because Windows 11/10 has a graphical user interface, users can do just about anything by clicking on an item. Without the GUI, we would have had to do everything in PowerShell or Command Prompt from the command line.

But using the command line is a useful skill because it lets you get to functions and processes quickly. For example, you might need to open folders or files when working with Command Prompt or PowerShell. You can also go to the official Microsoft support site to know more information.

You don’t have to close the windows to find the folder or file. PowerShell is a useful tool that is a more powerful scripting language and command-line shell than command prompt. It uses cmdlets, which help automate Windows when you start certain apps.

Ways to Open File With Command Prompt & PowerShell

Use the Start Menu

The search bar in the Start menu can be used to find most Windows apps. With this tool, you can do the following to get to either the Command Prompt or PowerShell:

1. Click the Windows icon on your screen or press the Windows key.
2. Select All Programs and expand the System Tools folder.
3. Click the Command Prompt or PowerShell from the options. To open each tool with administrative privileges, right-click on the specific app and choose Run as administrator.

Use the Quick Access Menu

With the Quick Access button, it’s very easy to open different Windows features. Here’s how to use this tool to get to the Command Prompt or PowerShell:

1. Press Win + X to open the Quick Access menu.
2. Click Command Prompt or Command Prompt (Admin) from the options. Depending on your Windows version, you may also see the Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell (Admin) options.

Use File Explorer’s Address Bar

The search bar in File Explorer makes it easy to find your file path. But did you know that you can launch different Windows tools from the address bar in File Explorer? Here’s how you can use File Explorer to open the Command Prompt:

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
2. Type CMD in the address bar and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
2. Type CMD in the address bar and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

Use the Run Command Dialog Box

The Run command dialog box is one of the best ways to get to your Windows programs fast. Here’s how you can open the Command Prompt via the Run command dialog box:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type CMD and click OK to open the Command Prompt.

Here’s what you can do in the Run Command box to open PowerShell:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type PowerShell and then click OK.

Here’s what you can do to start the Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator:

1. Open the Run command dialog box as per the previous steps.
2. Type either CMD or PowerShell in the search box.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open either the Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges.

Use the Start Menu Search Bar

Want to open Windows apps quickly? Then try the search bar in the Start Menu. Here’s how to use the search bar to open the Command Prompt or PowerShell:

1. Click the Start Menu search bar icon and type either Command Prompt or PowerShell.
2. Select the Best match option from the results.

Use the Command Prompt’s or PowerShell’s Executable File

You can also use their executable (EXE) files to get to the Command Prompt or PowerShell. This is how:

1. Type This PC in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.
2. Click the Local Disk (C:) on the right-hand side and navigate to Windows > System32.
3. Scroll down and select the cmd.exe or powershell.exe file.
4. To run each tool with administrator privileges, right-click on the tool and select Run as administrator.