Admin CMD showing up as C:\Windows\system32> instead of C:\user\NAME>

wry · 04 Jun 2021

I need a way to make it so that instead of having C:\Windows\system32> there will be C:\user\NAME> when I open the command prompt. When I run cmd as a regular user it comes up with C:\user\NAME> but when I run as an administrator it comes up with C:\Windows\system32> Please let me know if there is a fix as I need there to be administrative privilege's to install a program.

Ghot · 04 Jun 2021

Hello @wry ...Welcome to Ten Forums.

You just use the cd (change directory) command.

$Admin CMD showing up as C:\Windows\system32> instead of C:\user\NAME>-image1.png$

In your case you would use cd c:\users\ (your user name)

spunk · 04 Jun 2021

By default, the Command Prompt as Admin is run from C:\Windows\System32. If it is run from the User Name, then it is not run in Admin mode. Why do you need it to be run from your User folder?

ricardobohner · 05 Jun 2021

1. Open the registry on this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor

2. Create or modify a string value called "Autorun" and change its data to:

cd %userprofile%

Now the command prompt will always open in your userprofile doesn't matter if you run it as normal user or admin.

Try3 · 05 Jun 2021

Ricardo,

Thanks for that. I had not seen a method setting the cmd opening path in the Registry before. It's much neater than my customised shortcut method.

Setting my Desktop for the Admin Cmd window involves a change of disk as well so, to stick with your example, I adjusted the entry to

Code:

cd /d %userprofile%

but I think that will only be of interest to those like me who have relocated user folders and they might use, for example only,

Code:

cd /d D:\Desktop

All the best,
Denis

ricardobohner · 05 Jun 2021

A side note is that some batch files that use relative paths may have some unexpected behavior. For example a batch that creates a new folder called "Dog" in it's current folder.

md Dog

That folder may be created in the folder you directed in "Autorun" instead of the folder where the batch script is.

Kari · 05 Jun 2021

Ghot said:

In your case you would use cd c:\users\ (your user name)

... or simply cd %userprofile%

$Admin CMD showing up as C:\Windows\system32> instead of C:\user\NAME>-image.png$

Kari

Ghot · 05 Jun 2021

Kari said:

... or simply cd %userprofile%

Kari

I'm sure the OP appreciates the help.