How to Open a Command Prompt from a Folder’s Right Click Context Menu


Even though a graphical user interface is indispensable, the command prompt still comes in handy at times. However, when you wish to bring up the MS-DOS box, the shortcut is hidden deep within the start menu. How about making the command prompt available instantly? If you use the command prompt frequently, the best way to make it accessible is from the context menu that appears when you right-click on any folder. Thus you can open Command Prompt from every folder.

command prompt from folders context menu

This trick works without much hassle. All you have to do is,

  • Open ‘My Computer’ and go to ‘Tools > Folder options’.
  • Switch to the ‘File Types’ tab and select ‘(NONE) Folder’ from the list of registered file types.
  • Then click on ‘Advanced’ and hit the ‘New’ button from the dialog box that pops up.
  • Now, enter ‘Command Prompt’ in the ‘Action’ field and ‘cmd.exe’ in the ‘Application used to perform action’ field.
  • Confirm twice with ‘OK’ and close the ‘Folder options’ dialog box.
  • To bring up the command prompt, right-click on any folder and click on ‘Command prompt’.

Note that the path in the command prompt points to the folder from where you launched the command prompt. You don’t need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Filed under: Windows XP
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July 28, 2009 by: Prasanth Chandra

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