This article shows how to run a program on a Windows system using the "Command Prompt". Remember that, by default, you can only run programs installed in directories created by the operating system (for example the "desktop" directory); however, by modifying the "Path" system variable (again via the "Command Prompt") you will be able to run any software on your computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Run the Basic Programs
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the classic Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, you can press the "Windows" key on your keyboard.
If you are using a Windows 8 system, you will need to place the mouse cursor in the upper right corner of the desktop and select the "Search" icon with a magnifying glass
Step 2. Type the keywords command prompt in the "Start" menu
This will search the entire computer for the "Command Prompt" application.
Step 3. Select the "Command Prompt" item indicated by the icon
It has a small black square and will appear at the top of the search results list. A new window will open for the selected program.
If you are using a computer that has restrictions on what the user can do, you may not be able to start the "Command Prompt"
Step 4. Type the command start in the "Command Prompt" window
Make sure you also include the white space after the start keyword.
Step 5. Now type the name of the program you want to run
This is the name of the executable file (EXE) related to the program in question and not the name of the shortcut icon (for example in the case of the "Command Prompt" the executable file is called cmd.exe). Here is a short list of file names related to the most used Windows programs:
- File Explorer - explorer.exe;
- Block notes - notepad.exe;
- Character map - charmap.exe;
- Paint - mspaint.exe;
- Command Prompt (a new window will open) - cmd.exe;
- Windows Media Player - wmplayer.exe;
- Task Manager - taskmgr.exe.
Step 6. Press the Enter key
The command start [program_name] exploits the potential of the "start" system software to execute the indicated program. A few seconds after pressing the "Enter" key, you should see the desired application window appear on the screen.
If the program in question does not run, it is most likely because it resides in a system folder not included in the "Path" variable of the "Command Prompt", which is therefore unreachable for the latter. If this is your case, consult this article method to find out how to change the system "Path" and fix the problem
Method 2 of 2: Run a Specific Program
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the classic Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, you can press the "Windows" key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Select the "File Explorer" application indicated by the icon
The latter is characterized by a folder and is located in the lower left part of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Go to the directory where the file to be executed is stored
Use the "File Explorer" window to open the folder structure containing the one for the program to run.
- You will know that you have reached the correct folder when the icon of the desired program appears in the right pane of the "File Explorer" window.
- If you do not know the exact path of the file to run, consider that in most cases the programs installed on a Windows system are stored in the "Programs" directory of the hard disk. Alternatively, you can perform a search using the appropriate text field located in the upper right part of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 4. Select the path to the folder where the file to be executed resides
Click an empty spot in the address bar at the top of the "File Explorer" window. This way the current folder path should appear highlighted in blue.
Step 5. Copy the selected path
Press the key combination Ctrl + C.
Step 6. Now click the This PC icon
It is one of the folders located inside the left pane of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 7. Select the This PC item again
In this way any folder present within the directory This PC it will be automatically deselected giving you the possibility to open the "Properties" window of the latter.
Step 8. Go to the Computers tab
It is located in the upper left of the "File Explorer" window. A toolbar different from the default one will be displayed.
Step 9. Press the Properties button
It has a white icon with a red check mark inside it. The "System" window will appear.
Step 10. Select the Advanced System Settings link
It is located in the upper left part of the appeared window. This will bring up the "System Properties" dialog box.
Step 11. Go to the Advanced tab
It is located at the top of the "System Properties" window.
Step 12. Press the Environment Variables… button
It is located at the bottom right of the "Advanced" tab. You will have access to the dialog box from which you can change the value of the Windows environment variables.
Step 13. Select the Path variable
It is displayed in the "System Variables" box at the bottom of the window.
Step 14. Press the Edit… button
It is located in the lower right of the "System Variables" pane.
Step 15. Press the New button
It is located in the upper right corner of the "Edit Environment Variable" window that appears.
Step 16. Now paste the path of the file you want to run
Simply press the key combination Ctrl + V.
Step 17. Press the OK button
The new path will be stored in the "Path" environment variable.
Step 18. Open the "Command Prompt"
Step 19. Navigate to the path where the file to be executed resides
Type the command cd inside the "Command Prompt" window, followed by a blank space, then paste the file path by pressing the key combination Ctrl + V and press Enter.
Step 20. Type the command start in the "Command Prompt" window
Make sure you also include the white space after the start keyword.
Step 21. Enter the name of the executable file for the program in question
Make sure you type exactly the name that appears inside the folder it's stored in, then hit the Enter key. The indicated program should start without any problems.
