Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10  

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    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10

    How to Open a Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10
    Published by Category: General Tips
    10 Mar 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Open a Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10


    A command prompt is an entry point for typing computer commands in the Command Prompt window. By typing commands at the command prompt, you can perform tasks on your computer without using the Windows graphical interface.

    This tutorial will show you how to boot to an elevated command prompt at startup in Windows 10.


    Contents

    • Option One: Open Command Prompt at Boot using Windows 10 Installation Media
    • Option Two: Open Command Prompt at Boot using Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10



    EXAMPLE: Command Prompt at Boot

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-command_prompt_at_boot.jpg





    OPTION ONE

    Open Command Prompt at Boot using Windows 10 Installation Media


    You will not need to know the password of an administrator account using this option.


    1 Boot from your Windows 10 installation USB, or ISO file if in a virtual machine.

    2 Do step 3 or step 4 below for how you would like to open a command prompt at boot.

    3 When you see Windows Setup, press the Shift + F10 keys.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-windows_setup.jpg

    OR

    4 When you see Windows Setup, click/tap on Next. (see screenshot above)

    A) Click/tap on Repair your computer. (see screenshot below)

    B) Go to step 2 in OPTION TWO below.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-windows_setup-2.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    Open Command Prompt at Boot using Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10


    You will need to know the password of an administrator account using this option.


    1 Boot to advanced startup options

    2 Click/tap on the Troubleshoot option. (see screenshot below)

    If you came from Option One, you would skip step 3 and go directly to step 4 below instead.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-advanced_startup_options_command_prompt-1.jpg

    3 Click/tap on Advanced options. (see screenshot below)

    If you came from Option One, you would skip this step and go directly to step 4 below instead.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-advanced_startup_options_command_prompt-2.jpg

    4 Click/tap on the Command prompt option. (see screenshot below)

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-advanced_startup_options_command_prompt-3.jpg

    5 If you booted to advanced startup from within Windows 10, then the computer will restart. Click/tap on a listed local administrator that you want to provide credentials for, type in the account's password, and click/tap on Continue. (see screenshots below)

    If you came from Option One, you will not be required to select an administrator and enter its password.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-administrator_credentials-1.jpg
    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-administrator_credentials-2.jpg


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 41
    windows 10
       #1

    Greetings from Holly Jerusalem
    Very helpful
      My Computer


  2. Yak
    Posts : 3
    Windows10 64bit
       #2

    Thanks :)
    However, I couldn't find any lists of the available commands.
    `map`doesn't work, nor `help`...
    Would you have any clues?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 307
    Windows 10
       #3

    Using the option one, when I open the "Command Prompt" windows with Shift+10, I will open a Windows PE or Windows RE session?

    Thanks

    Bye
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 307
    Windows 10
       #5

    Then, with Shift+F10, the "Microsoft Windows PE" volume image in the boot.wim is mounted and displayed. Right?

    Thanks

    Bye
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Nope. You're just using WinRE from the bootable USB.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 605
    Windows 10
       #7

    It appears option 2 is no longer valid since Microsoft reduced the capability of the boot menu.

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-20151208_014225.jpg

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-20151208_014238.jpg

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-20151208_014255.jpg

    Open Command Prompt at Boot in Windows 10-20151208_014320.jpg
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello fracking4oil, :)

    I just tested again with different systems, and OPTION TWO still works just fine for me on them.

    Is this for the system in your specs?

    Please list the exact steps you took to boot to advanced startup to see if that may be the issue.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 605
    Windows 10
       #9

    Brink said:
    Hello fracking4oil, :)

    I just tested again with different systems, and OPTION TWO still works just fine for me on them.

    Is this for the system in your specs?

    Please list the exact steps you took to boot to advanced startup to see if that may be the issue.
    Yup, the system listed under "My System Specs"...

    I followed:

    Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery -> Advanced startup -> Restart now

    After boot: Troubleshoot (image 1) -> Startup Settings (image 2) -> Restart (image 3), which took me to image 4.
      My Computer


 

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