The fastest way to open a folder in Command Prompt on Windows 10 is to open the folder in File Explorer, click the address bar, type cmd, and press Enter. Command Prompt opens with that folder already set as the current directory. If Command Prompt is already open, type cd followed by the folder path in quotes, like cd “C:\Users\User\Documents\Projects”.
Below are all the ways to do it, including how to switch drives, open an admin Command Prompt in a folder, and go the other way by opening File Explorer from Command Prompt.
Method 1: Type cmd in the File Explorer address bar
- Open the folder in File Explorer.
- Click an empty spot in the address bar so the path is highlighted. You can also press Alt + D.
- Type cmd and press Enter.
This trick also works with powershell or wt (Windows Terminal, if installed) instead of cmd.
Method 2: Use the cd command
- Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
- Type cd, a space, and the full folder path. Put the path in quotes if it has spaces.
- Press Enter.
Examples:
- cd Documents moves into a folder inside the current one.
- cd .. moves up one folder.
- cd \ goes to the top of the current drive.
- cd /d “D:\Photos\2026” switches to another drive and folder in one step. Without /d, cd won’t change drives. You can also type the drive letter and a colon, like D:, first.
Tip: Don’t want to type a long path? Type cd (with a space), then drag the folder from File Explorer into the Command Prompt window. Windows pastes the full path for you. Press Enter.
Method 3: Shift + right-click the folder
- In File Explorer, hold Shift and right-click the folder, or an empty space inside it.
- Choose Open PowerShell window here. Older versions of Windows 10 show Open command window here instead.
- In PowerShell, type cmd and press Enter if you specifically need Command Prompt.
Microsoft replaced the Command Prompt option with PowerShell in the Windows 10 Creators Update. Most everyday commands, like dir, cd, and ping, work in both.
Method 4: Open an admin Command Prompt in a folder
Typing cmd in the address bar opens a regular, non-admin window. For administrator rights:
- Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
- Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
- Use cd /d and the folder path to move to your folder.
Admin windows start in C:\Windows\System32, so be careful before running commands that delete or change files.
Bonus: Open File Explorer from Command Prompt
Type start . (with the period) and press Enter to open the current folder in File Explorer. Type explorer followed by a path to open a specific folder.
Troubleshooting
- “The system cannot find the path specified”: Check the spelling, put the path in quotes, and use /d if the folder is on another drive.
- Typing cmd in the address bar searches instead: Make sure you’re in a normal folder. It doesn’t work in special locations like This PC, Quick access, or Libraries.
- Network folders: cd doesn’t work with network paths that start with two backslashes. Use pushd and the network path instead. It temporarily maps a drive letter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy a folder path in Windows 10?
Click the address bar in File Explorer and press Ctrl + C. Or hold Shift, right-click the folder, and choose Copy as path.
Does this work in Windows 11?
Yes. Windows 11 also adds Open in Terminal when you right-click a folder.
How do I see what’s in the folder?
Type dir and press Enter to list the files and subfolders.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.