How to add 'Open command window here' back to context menu on Windows 10

You can bring back the option to launch Command Prompt from the right-click context menu on Windows 10, and in this guide, we'll show you how to do it.

With the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft is continuing to fade out Command Prompt in favor of PowerShell. While you can still use the command-line utility, the option is no longer available on the Power User menu (Windows key + X), on the File menu for File Explorer, and even in the extended context menu (Shift + Right-click).

Although there is an option in the Settings app to add Command Prompt to the Power User menu, you won't find an option to bring it back to the extended context menu. However, it's still possible to re-incorporate the option in Windows 10, if you're comfortable modifying the Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to bring back the "Open command window here" to the context menu.

How to add 'Open command window here' to context menu

In order to re-incorporate the option to launch Command Prompt on the extended context menu, you'll need to modify the Registry using the following steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. We recommend making a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd

4. Right-click the cmd (folder) key, and click on Permissions.

5. Click the Advanced button.

6. On "Advanced Security Settings," click the Change link next to "Owner."

7. Type your account name in the provided field, click Check Names to verify you're typing the account name correctly, and click OK.

8. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.
11. On "Permissions," select the Administrators group.

12. Under "Permissions for Administrators," select Allow for the Full Control option.

13. Click Apply.
14. Click OK.
15. Inside the cmd (folder) key, right-click the HideBasedOnVelocityId DWORD, and click Rename.

16. Change the DWORD name from HideBasedOnVelocityId to ShowBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Once you completed the steps, using the Shift + Right-click combo will now display the "Open command window here" option.

While these instructions will bring the option to open Command Prompt in a specific folder location to the context menu, there is one caveat: this will only work when you "Shift + Right-click" a folder. The option won't be available using "Shift + Right-click" on an empty space within a folder.

How to remove 'Open PowerShell window here' from context menu

You'll also notice that using the above steps will bring back the "Open command window here," but it'll keep the "Open PowerShell window here" too.

If you want to remove the PowerShell entry from the extended context menu, do the following:

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\PowerShell

4. Right-click the PowerShell (folder) key, and click on Permissions.

5. Click the Advanced button.

6. On "Advanced Security Settings," click the Change link next to "Owner".

7. Type your account name in the provided field, click Check Names to verify you're typing the account name correctly, and click OK.

8. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.
11. On "Permissions," select the Administrators group.

12. Under "Permissions for Administrators," select Allow for the Full Control option.

13. Click Apply.
14. Click OK.
15. Inside the PowerShell (folder) key, right-click the ShowBasedOnVelocityId DWORD, and click Rename.

16. Change the DWORD name from ShowBasedOnVelocityId to HideBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

After completing the steps, using Shift + Right-click will only show the "Open command window here" option.

Wrapping things up

While you can run the majority of the commands using PowerShell, a lot of people still prefer Command Prompt, and the context menu option provided a quick way to open the utility in a specific location without having to type a long command to navigate to a folder path. But now, thanks to a hidden option in the Registry, you can bring that experience back to Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central