Learn how to open a program on Windows with the Command Prompt. You can only launch programs installed in folders created by the operating system (such as Desktop), but you can add a folder to the Command Prompt list to open it with this method.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Open basic programs
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click on the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen or press the Windows key on your computer keyboard.
If you're using Windows 8, place your cursor at the top right of the screen and click the magnifying glass icon in the pop-up window
Step 2. Type command prompt in Start
Your computer will search for the "Command Prompt" program.
Step 3. Click on Command Prompt
This is the black box at the top of the Start window. The Command Prompt will open.
If you are using a computer with restricted privileges, you probably will not be able to open Command Prompt
Step 4. Type start in the command prompt
Put a space after start.
Step 5. Type the name of the program at the command prompt
This should be the system name of the file, not the name of its shortcut (for example, the system name of the command prompt is cmd). Below are the names of the current programs.
- File Explorer: to explore.
- Notepad: notepad.
- The character table: charmap.
- Paint: mspaint.
- The Command Prompt (a new window): cmd.
- Windows Media Player: wmplayer.
- The task manager: taskmgr.
Step 6. Press Enter
When you get a command like start program_name, press the Enter key to open the selected program. This should open after a few seconds.
If the selected program does not open, there is a good chance it is in a folder that is not in the path of the Command Prompt. Take the next step to resolve the issue
Method 2 of 2: Open specific programs
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click on the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen or press the Windows key on your computer keyboard.
Step 2. Open File Explorer
Click on the folder icon at the bottom left of the Start window.
Step 3. Open the folder where your program is located
Navigate to the folder that contains the program you want to open by clicking on the folders that will take you there.
- When the icon for the program you want to open in the Command Prompt appears in the middle of File Explorer, you'll know you're in the correct folder.
- If you don't know where the program is, most of them are in the folder Program Files hard drive. You can also search in the search bar at the top.
Step 4. Select the folder path
Click to the right of the address bar at the top of File Explorer. You should see a blue box highlighting the contents of the address bar.
Step 5. Copy the path
Simultaneously press Ctrl and C.
Step 6. Click This PC
This folder is located to the left of File Explorer.
Step 7. Click This PC again
All the folders in the window will be deselected and you can open the folder properties This PC.
Step 8. Click Computer
This is a tab at the top left of the page. A toolbar will appear.
Step 9. Click Properties
This icon looks like a white box with a red check mark inside. Click on it to display a pop-up window.
Step 10. Click Advanced System Settings
This is a link at the top left of the window. A new pop-up window will open.
Step 11. Click on the Advanced tab
It's at the top of the window.
Step 12. Click on Environment Variables…
This option is at the bottom of the window and allows you to display a new window.
Step 13. Click Path
This option is in the window System variables at the end of the page.
Step 14. Click Edit…
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 15. Click New
This option is at the top right of the page To modify.
Step 16. Paste the path to your program
Press Ctrl and V at the same time to paste the path into the window.
Step 17. Click OK
Your path will be saved.
Step 18. Open the Command Prompt
Step 19. Enter the path
Type cd at the command prompt, type a space, press Ctrl + V to enter the path to your program, then press Enter.
Step 20. Type start in the command prompt
Remember to leave a space after start.
Step 21. Enter the name of your program
Type the name of the program exactly as it appears in the folder, then press Enter. The program will start.