The fastest way to open PowerShell in Windows 10 is to right-click the Start button (or press Windows + X) and choose Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell (Admin) to run it as an administrator. You can also type powershell in the Start menu search box and press Enter, or press Windows + R, type powershell, and press Enter.
This guide covers every way to open PowerShell, including as administrator and in a specific folder, plus how to get the newer PowerShell 7 and Windows Terminal, and what to do if PowerShell is missing from the Win+X menu.
- Right-click the Start button, or press Windows + X.
- Click Windows PowerShell, or Windows PowerShell (Admin) for administrator rights.
- Click Yes if User Account Control asks.
If you see Command Prompt instead, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the start button or press Windows key + X.
- Click Start or press the Windows key.
- Type powershell.
- Press Enter to open it, or click Run as administrator on the right. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open it as administrator.
Method 3: The Run dialog
Press Windows + R, type powershell, and press Enter. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead to run it as administrator.
Method 4: Open PowerShell in a specific folder
- In File Explorer, open the folder, click File > Open Windows PowerShell (or Open Windows PowerShell as administrator).
- Or hold Shift, right-click empty space in the folder, and choose Open PowerShell window here.
- Or click the File Explorer address bar, type powershell, and press Enter.
Method 5: Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager (click More details if needed).
- Click File > Run new task.
- Type powershell, check Create this task with administrative privileges if needed, and click OK.
This is handy when the Start menu isn’t responding.
Method 6: From Command Prompt
Type powershell in a Command Prompt window and press Enter to switch to PowerShell in the same window. Type exit to go back.
Pin PowerShell for quick access
Search for PowerShell in Start, right-click it, and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start. To always open as administrator, right-click the pinned icon, right-click Windows PowerShell, choose Properties > Advanced, and check Run as administrator.
PowerShell 7 and Windows Terminal
- Windows 10 includes Windows PowerShell 5.1. The newer cross-platform PowerShell 7 installs separately from the Microsoft Store or with
winget install Microsoft.PowerShell, and opens as pwsh. - Windows Terminal (free from the Microsoft Store) runs PowerShell, Command Prompt, and other shells in tabs.
Once PowerShell is open, you can install apps from the command line; see how to install winget on Windows 10.
Related: Run curl in Windows.
Related: Open Terminal on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between PowerShell and Command Prompt?
Command Prompt runs traditional commands. PowerShell runs those plus more powerful cmdlets and scripts for automating Windows.
How do I know if PowerShell is running as administrator?
The window title starts with Administrator:.
Is it safe to run PowerShell as administrator?
Yes, for commands you understand. Don’t paste commands from untrusted sources, since they can change system settings.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.