How to Open Terminal on Windows: Every Method Explained

Windows gives you several ways to access a command-line terminal, and the right one depends on what you're trying to do — and which version of Windows you're running. Here's a clear breakdown of every method, what each tool actually is, and what sets them apart.

What "Terminal" Means on Windows

Unlike macOS or Linux, Windows doesn't have a single app called "Terminal" in the traditional sense — though that's changed in recent years. Instead, Windows has historically offered multiple command-line environments:

• Command Prompt (cmd.exe) — the classic Windows shell, dating back to MS-DOS
• Windows PowerShell — a more powerful scripting environment built on .NET
• Windows Terminal — a modern tabbed app introduced in Windows 10 that can host Command Prompt, PowerShell, and other shells in one place
• WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) — lets you run a full Linux shell (Bash, Zsh, etc.) directly on Windows

Knowing which one you actually need matters. Command Prompt handles basic file navigation and legacy scripts. PowerShell handles system administration, automation, and complex scripting. Windows Terminal is mostly a UI wrapper. WSL is for developers who need Linux tooling.

How to Open Command Prompt

Method 1 — Search Bar Click the taskbar search icon (or press Windows key + S), type cmd, and press Enter. Right-click the result to Run as administrator if you need elevated permissions.

Method 2 — Run Dialog Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and hit Enter. Fast and keyboard-friendly.

Method 3 — File Explorer Address Bar Navigate to any folder in File Explorer, click the address bar, type cmd, and press Enter. This opens Command Prompt directly in that folder — useful when you're already browsing to a specific directory.

Method 4 — Power User Menu Press Windows key + X to open the Power User menu. Depending on your Windows version, you'll see either Command Prompt or PowerShell listed here.

How to Open PowerShell

Method 1 — Search Bar Press Windows key + S, type PowerShell, and press Enter. Again, right-click for the Run as administrator option when needed — many system commands require it.

Method 2 — Run Dialog Press Windows key + R, type powershell, and press Enter.

Method 3 — Power User MenuWindows key + X opens the quick-access menu. On Windows 10 (version 1709 and later) and Windows 11, PowerShell replaced Command Prompt as the default option here.

Method 4 — From File Explorer Hold Shift and right-click inside any folder. You'll see Open PowerShell window here in the context menu — again, directly pathed to that location.

How to Open Windows Terminal 💻

Windows Terminal ships as a default app on Windows 11 and is available as a free download from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10.

Method 1 — Search Bar Type Terminal in the search bar. On Windows 11, this is often the first result.

Method 2 — Right-Click the Desktop or Start Button On Windows 11, right-clicking the Start button includes Terminal and Terminal (Admin) directly in the menu.

Method 3 — Keyboard Shortcut If Windows Terminal is your default terminal app (configurable in Settings → Privacy & Security → For Developers on Windows 11), pressing Windows key + X then I opens it instantly.

Windows Terminal supports tabs, split panes, and custom profiles — so you can have PowerShell, Command Prompt, and a WSL session running simultaneously in one window.

How to Open WSL / Linux Terminal

If you've installed WSL, you can launch it by:

• Typing wsl or your specific distro name (e.g., ubuntu) in the search bar or Run dialog
• Opening Windows Terminal and selecting your Linux distribution from the new tab dropdown
• Running wsl directly inside an existing PowerShell or Command Prompt session

WSL requires a one-time setup via PowerShell (wsl --install) if it hasn't been configured yet.

Quick Comparison: Which Shell Does What

What Affects Which Method Works for You ⚙️

A few variables change the experience meaningfully:

Windows version — Windows 11 has Windows Terminal pre-installed and tightly integrated. Windows 10 users may need to install it from the Store. Windows 7 and 8 users only have Command Prompt and an older PowerShell version.

User permissions — Some terminal commands only work when the shell is launched as Administrator. The method you use to open the terminal determines whether you're prompted for elevation.

Your current context — Opening a terminal from inside a folder (via File Explorer or Shift+right-click) saves time when you're already navigating a directory. Opening from search or the Run dialog lands you in your user's home directory by default.

What you're running — Basic file commands and older scripts often work fine in Command Prompt. Automation tasks, system configuration, and modern scripting generally benefit from PowerShell. Linux-native tools require WSL.

The method that makes sense for one user — a developer running containerized apps via WSL — looks very different from what works for someone running a simple batch script or checking a network configuration. The right entry point depends on your OS version, your workflow, and what level of system access you actually need. 🖥️