Command Prompt Here

Have you ever wanted to open a Command Prompt in the folder you’re browsing in Windows Explorer? On Windows XP, you can add a Command Prompt entry to the folder context menu without installing extra software, such as Microsoft’s “Open Command Window Here” PowerToy.

Here’s how:

1. Open Folder Options in Control Panel. Alternatively, in Windows Explorer, select Tools → Folder Options.

   

2. Select the File Types tab. In the Registered file types list, select Folder, whose extension is shown as (NONE).

   

3. Click Advanced to open the Edit File Type dialog.

4. Click New to open the New Action dialog.

5. In the Action field, enter Command Prompt or another name of your choice. In Application used to perform action, enter:

   cmd.exe /k cd /d "%1"

   Here, %1 represents the selected folder. The command changes to that folder, including its drive, and leaves the Command Prompt open.

   

   The screenshot shows a different example action. Use the name and command shown above for Command Prompt.

6. Click OK to close New Action, then click OK in Edit File Type and Folder Options.

Now, when you right-click a folder in Windows Explorer, you should see a Command Prompt entry. Select it to open a Command Prompt in that folder.

Replacement screenshots by Debra, from “Have Windows XP Explore option default Windows Explorer path”, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.