Ways to Open Windows PowerShell in Windows 10

If you need to open Windows PowerShell in Windows 10, there are at least a dozen reliable methods, ranging from the Start menu and Run dialog to keyboard shortcuts and File Explorer. The fastest way is to press Win + X and select “Windows PowerShell” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the Quick Link menu. Below are all the common ways, with step-by-step instructions, plus notes on which ones work on older builds or when you need administrator rights.

Why There Are So Many Ways

Windows 10 includes two separate PowerShell hosts: the classic console window (powershell.exe) and the Integrated Scripting Environment (powershell_ise.exe) for writing and testing scripts. Most of the methods below open the console, which is what you want for running commands. The variety of entry points exists because Microsoft has layered new UI features (Start menu search, Quick Link menu, Taskbar) over older ones (Run dialog, Command Prompt, WinKey+R), and each is useful in different situations—like when Explorer is frozen or you need to run as administrator without using the mouse.

Method 1: Start Menu Search (Easiest)

1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
2. Type PowerShell. A list of results appears.
3. Click Windows PowerShell to open a normal window.
4. To run as administrator, right-click the result and choose Run as administrator.

This works on all Windows 10 versions. If you type “powershell” and nothing shows, make sure you’re on the Start menu search (not the taskbar search box, which is the same thing in recent updates). You can also press Enter after typing to launch the first result directly.

Method 2: Win + X Quick Link Menu

Press Windows key + X (or right-click the Start button). A menu appears with a list of system tools. On most Windows 10 builds, you’ll see:

• Windows PowerShell
• Windows PowerShell (Admin)
• In some versions, these are replaced by “Command Prompt” and “Command Prompt (Admin)”—you can switch back to PowerShell in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

Click the option you need. The admin option opens with elevated rights, which is required for commands that modify system settings or access protected folders.

Method 3: Run Dialog

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type powershell and press Enter.
3. To run as administrator, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter after typing, or type powershell -Verb RunAs and press Enter.

This is a quick way if you’re already using the keyboard. The Run dialog also accepts full paths, like C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe.

Method 4: File Explorer (Address Bar or Menu)

You can open PowerShell directly from any folder:

• In File Explorer, click the File menu, then Open Windows PowerShell (or “Open Command Prompt” on older builds) and choose either a normal window or an admin window.
• Alternatively, click the address bar, type powershell, and press Enter. This opens PowerShell with the current folder as the working directory—useful for running scripts that are in that folder.
• You can also type powershell.exe in the address bar and press Enter; it works the same way.

The address bar trick is handy when you’ve navigated to a project folder and want to run commands without typing the full path.

Method 5: Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click File > Run new task.
3. Type powershell and check the box Create this task with administrative privileges if needed.
4. Click OK.

This method works even if Explorer is not responding, because Task Manager runs independently. It’s a good fallback when the Start menu or taskbar is frozen.

Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut or Pin to Taskbar

If you use PowerShell daily, create a permanent shortcut:

1. Right-click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
2. Type powershell.exe as the location and click Next.
3. Name it “PowerShell” and click Finish.
4. To run as admin, right-click the shortcut, select Properties, click Advanced, and check Run as administrator.

You can also right-click the shortcut and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start for one-click access.

Method 7: Open from Command Prompt (CMD)

If you already have a Command Prompt window open, you can switch to PowerShell by typing:

powershell

Press Enter. This launches PowerShell inside the same window. To return to CMD, type exit. This is handy when you’re following a tutorial that assumes CMD but you prefer PowerShell.

How to Choose the Right Method

Pick the method based on your situation:

• Easiest for most users: Start menu search.
• Fastest keyboard-only: Win + X, then press I (or A for admin).
• When Explorer is frozen: Use Task Manager or Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
• When you need admin rights: Always choose the “(Admin)” option, or use Ctrl + Shift + Enter in Run/Search.
• When working in a specific folder: Use File Explorer’s address bar.

Note that on Windows 10 version 1709 and later, the Quick Link menu may show “Windows PowerShell” or “Command Prompt” depending on your settings. You can change it in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > “Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the start button or press Windows key+X”.

Common Problems and Fixes

• PowerShell doesn’t appear in Start search: Make sure you’re typing “PowerShell” correctly and that the Start menu search is working. Try running sfc /scannow in an admin CMD if search is broken.
• “Windows PowerShell is not recognized” when typing in CMD: This usually means the PATH environment variable is missing. Add C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\ to your PATH, or use the full path.
• PowerShell opens and immediately closes: This can happen if you’re running a script that exits, but if it happens on a normal open, try running powershell.exe -NoExit to keep the window open.
• Admin prompt appears but you’re not actually admin: You need to be logged in with an administrator account, or know the admin password. If your account is standard, you’ll be prompted for an admin password.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open PowerShell as administrator?

Use any method, then right-click the PowerShell icon and choose “Run as administrator”, or press Ctrl+Shift+Enter after selecting it in Start search. The Win+X menu has a dedicated “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option.

What’s the difference between PowerShell and Command Prompt?

PowerShell is a more advanced shell that uses cmdlets (like Get-Process) and can work with objects, while Command Prompt is the older text-based interface. PowerShell can run most CMD commands, but CMD cannot run PowerShell cmdlets.

Can I open PowerShell from the login screen?

No, not directly. You can open it after logging in. If you need to run PowerShell before login (e.g., for recovery), you’d use the Windows Recovery Environment, which has its own command prompt.

How do I open PowerShell in a specific folder?

In File Explorer, navigate to the folder, then click the address bar, type powershell, and press Enter. This opens PowerShell with that folder as the current directory.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to open PowerShell?

There’s no default shortcut, but you can create one: right-click the PowerShell shortcut, go to Properties, and assign a “Shortcut key” (like Ctrl+Alt+P).

Why do I see “Windows PowerShell” and “Windows PowerShell ISE”?

PowerShell ISE is a graphical scripting environment for writing and debugging scripts, while the regular PowerShell is a console for running commands. Most users need the console; ISE is for script development.

Final Tips

If you use PowerShell frequently, pin it to your taskbar or Start menu for one-click access. For automation, you can also launch PowerShell from a batch file or a scheduled task using powershell.exe -File script.ps1. Remember that some commands require admin rights—if you get an “Access Denied” error, close and reopen PowerShell as administrator.

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