Command Prompt is a command-line interpreter that allows you to execute tasks without using the Windows graphical interface. There are numerous ways to access the elevated command prompt on Windows 10.
Scroll down to find how to get to the command prompt from startup. Additionally, you will also learn how to boot to the command prompt on Windows 10 using the installation media.
Important Note: When you access the command prompt with administrative privileges, you should be careful while entering the commands. A typo, spelling mistakes, wrong syntax could be fatal to your data and files on the computer. Always remember to check the commands twice before executing them.
Method 1. Boot to Command Prompt on Windows 10 Using Advanced Startup Options
1.1. If you can access the Desktop
If the computer is booting successfully, you can use settings to get into Advanced Startup Options. From there, you can boot to the command prompt on Windows 10.
Follow these instructions to learn how to get to command prompt from startup:
Step 1: From the Start menu, open Settings (gear icon).
Under Settings, click on Update & Security.
On the left menu, select Recovery.
Step 2: Under the Advanced Startup, click on Restart now.
Windows will restart after clicking on the Restart now option, and you will see a Please Wait message.
Step 3: Once restarted, you will see a screen displaying: Choose an option
Opt for Troubleshoot.
Then, opt for Advanced options.
Step 4: From the Advanced options screen, click on Command Prompt.
Choose the local account which you want to access and enter the current password to continue. If you did not set the password beforehand, click on Continue to proceed.
Once you enter the password, you will successfully boot Windows 10 into the Command Prompt. Meaning, you can access the elevated Command Prompt window with administrator privileges.
1.2. Windows 10 cannot boot
If Windows 10 cannot boot using the above method and you are unable to access Advanced options. Then you can utilize this alternative method instead.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to boot to Command Prompt:
- Shut down the computer, and at the start, when the Windows logo appears, press the Power button to turn it off immediately.
- Repeat this process three times in a row.
- After the third time, Windows 10, by default, will enter into the Windows Recovery Environment.
- And from there, you can access the Advanced options to boot Windows 10 into Command Prompt.
Method 2. Boot to Command Prompt on Windows 10 Using Windows 10 Installation Disk
As a substitute to the above method, you can also create a bootable disk and access the Command Prompt utilizing that.
Follow these simple instructions to boot to the command prompt on Windows 10 using the installation media:
Step 1: Insert the Windows 10 Installation disk or flash drive (with installation files) on the computer.
Note: If you do not have the installation disk, use someone else’s. You will not need the product key nor the license to access the Common Prompt as there is no need to install Windows 10 again.
Step 2: Boot the computer using the Installation media.
- Insert the bootable media into the computer.
- Turn on the computer and press —Esc/F10/F12/F8 —key to open the boot-device selection menu.
- Choose the inserted USB flash drive as a priority.
- Save and Exit the changes to restart the computer.
Step 3: You will now see the Windows Setup screen.
Enter the necessary information (as preferred) and click on Next.
Step 4: Choose to Repair your computer from the bottom-left of the screen.
Step 5: From the list of options, choose Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Then choose Command Prompt.
Select the local account that you want to access and enter the current password to continue. If you did not set a password beforehand, click on Continue to proceed.
Conclusion
Using any of the two methods mentioned above, you can effortlessly boot to Command Prompt on Windows 10 with administrative rights. As specified earlier, be cautious while inserting the syntax; however, it doesn’t mean that you should avoid its use altogether.
