How to Open a PowerShell Window in Windows (Every Method Explained)

PowerShell is one of the most powerful tools built into Windows — a command-line shell and scripting environment that lets you automate tasks, manage system settings, and dig into your PC far beyond what the graphical interface allows. But before you can use it, you need to know how to open it. There are actually several ways to launch a PowerShell window, and the right one depends on your Windows version, your workflow, and whether you need standard or elevated (admin) access.

What Is PowerShell and Why Does It Matter?

PowerShell is a task automation framework developed by Microsoft. Unlike the older Command Prompt (cmd.exe), PowerShell uses cmdlets — structured commands that work with .NET objects rather than plain text. This makes it significantly more capable for system administration, scripting, and automation.

Two versions are relevant today:

• Windows PowerShell — built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, versioned up to 5.1
• PowerShell 7+ (also called PowerShell Core) — a separately installed, cross-platform version with expanded capabilities

Most users interacting with the built-in version are using Windows PowerShell 5.1, which comes pre-installed and requires no additional setup.

Method 1: Open PowerShell from the Start Menu 🖥️

This is the most straightforward approach and works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

On Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button
2. Scroll to the Windows PowerShell folder in the app list
3. Click Windows PowerShell to open a standard session

On Windows 11:

1. Click Start and select All Apps
2. Scroll to find Windows PowerShell
3. Click to launch

To open an elevated (Administrator) session — required for many system-level tasks — right-click the PowerShell entry and select Run as administrator.

Method 2: Use the Search Bar

Searching is often the fastest route for keyboard-centric users.

1. Press the Windows key or click the search icon in the taskbar
2. Type PowerShell
3. The result Windows PowerShell appears immediately
4. Press Enter to open, or click Run as Administrator in the right panel for elevated access

This method works identically on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Method 3: Use the Run Dialog (Win + R)

The Run dialog is a classic shortcut that still works perfectly.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type powershell and press Enter

For an elevated session from Run, type powershell and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of just Enter. Windows will prompt for UAC confirmation.

Method 4: Open PowerShell from the File Explorer Address Bar

If you're already working inside a folder in File Explorer, this method opens a PowerShell window pointed directly at that directory — useful for scripting and file management tasks.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to your target folder
2. Click the address bar at the top
3. Type powershell and press Enter

PowerShell opens with that folder as the working directory, saving you from manually navigating to it with cd commands.

Method 5: Right-Click the Desktop or Folder (Windows 10)

On Windows 10, right-clicking the desktop or inside a folder while holding Shift reveals a context menu option: Open PowerShell window here. This is a quick way to launch a session in a specific location without opening File Explorer separately.

Note: Windows 11 removed this option from the default right-click menu. It replaced it with Windows Terminal, which can run PowerShell as a profile.

Method 6: Open PowerShell from Task Manager

This method is useful when your taskbar or Start menu isn't responding normally.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click File in the top menu
3. Select Run new task
4. Type powershell and press Enter
5. Check Create this task with administrative privileges if you need admin access

Method 7: Use Windows Terminal (Windows 11 and Later Windows 10)

Windows Terminal is a modern, tabbed terminal application that supports multiple shells — including PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). On Windows 11, it's the default terminal.

1. Right-click the Start button or press Windows + X
2. Select Terminal (or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10)
3. Windows Terminal opens, defaulting to PowerShell on most Windows 11 installations

Inside Windows Terminal, you can open new PowerShell tabs by clicking the + button or using Ctrl + Shift + 1 (if PowerShell is the first profile).

Standard vs. Administrator PowerShell: Understanding the Difference

Running every PowerShell session as Administrator isn't recommended as a default habit — it increases the risk of unintended system changes. Use elevated sessions only when the task requires it.

Which PowerShell Version Are You Running?

Once PowerShell is open, you can check your version immediately by typing:

$PSVersionTable 

This outputs version details, build info, and the platform. If you're on Windows PowerShell 5.1, that's the built-in version. If you see 7.x, you have PowerShell Core installed separately.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You 🔧

Not every method is equally available to every user. A few factors shape which approach fits your situation:

• Windows version — Windows 11 replaced some legacy right-click options with Windows Terminal
• User permissions — Standard (non-admin) accounts can open PowerShell but may be blocked from running certain commands
• IT-managed environments — In corporate or education settings, PowerShell execution policies may be restricted, or access to certain launch methods may be locked down by Group Policy
• Installed software — If you've installed PowerShell 7, you'll have a separate entry in the Start menu alongside the built-in Windows PowerShell 5.1
• Shell preference — Power users working frequently in the terminal may set Windows Terminal as their default and launch everything from there; occasional users may prefer the simple search method

The method that makes sense for a sysadmin managing a domain environment looks very different from what suits someone running a one-off automation script on a home PC. How often you use PowerShell, what you're using it for, and how your system is configured all determine which of these entry points becomes part of your natural workflow.