Do you need to access a certain folder at the Windows command prompt? The command prompt might seem archaic, but it's actually really easy once you learn some basic commands. This wikiHow article will show you how to use the "cd" command to open a folder at the Windows command prompt. We'll also show you a cool trick that will help you instantly open a command prompt from any folder using Windows File Explorer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using File Explorer

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    Navigate to the folder you want to open in Command Prompt. Use File Explorer to browse to the folder you want to open. Then click the folder to open it.
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    Type cmd in the address bar and press Enter. This opens a new Command Prompt window inside the folder you currently have open in File Explorer.[1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the File Explorer Context Menu

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    Navigate to the folder you want to open in Command Prompt. Using the panel on the left side of File Explorer, click the folder you want to open. Then click the folder to open it.
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    Hold Shift and right-click any blank space in the folder. This displays a context menu next to your mouse cursor.
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    Click Open command window here. This opens the Command Prompt inside the folder.
    • On newer versions of Windows, this option has changed to Open PowerShell window here. PowerShell is a more advanced version of Command Prompt. Most commands that work in Command Prompt will also work in PowerShell.[2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Command Prompt Commands

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    Type CMD. This displays the Command Prompt in the Windows Start menu.
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    Type the drive the folder is in and press Enter. If the folder you want to open is on a different drive other than the drive your Windows operating system is installed on, you need to switch to that drive in Command Prompt. To do so, type the letter of the drive followed by a colon (e.g. "D:") and then press Enter.
    • You only need to do this if the folder is not located on the drive that Windows is installed on (which is usually the "C:" drive.)
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    Type cd followed by a space. The "cd" command is used to change directories in the Windows command prompt. Type "cd" followed by a space, but do not press Enter just yet.
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    Type the address of the folder after the space and press Enter. You'll need to include every folder and sub-folder the folder is located in. Place a backslash ("\") in front of each folder name. For example; "cd \Users\username\Documents."
    • If you are not sure what the path of the folder is, you can navigate to the folder in File Explorer. Right-click the address bar at the top and click Copy address as text. You can then press Ctrl + V to paste the path of the folder directly into Command Prompt right after the "cd" command.
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Written by:
Cybersecurity Expert
This article was written by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 202,808 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: February 13, 2023
Views: 202,808
Categories: Command Prompt
Article SummaryX

1. Click the Windows Start menu and type "cmd".
2. Click the Command Prompt icon to open it.
3. Type "cd" followed by a space.
4. Type the address of the folder after the space (i.e. "/Users/username/Documents.")
5. Press Enter.

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