How to Run CMD as Administrator in File Explorer

Running Command Prompt (cmd) with administrative privileges directly from a specific folder in File Explorer is a quick way to execute commands with elevated permissions within that location.

Here is the direct method to run cmd as administrator from File Explorer:

Method 1: Using the Address Bar

This is the most straightforward method highlighted in the reference.

1. Open File Explorer: Navigate to the folder where you want to open Command Prompt.
2. Go to the Address Bar: Click on the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window. The current path will be highlighted.
3. Type cmd: Delete the current path in the address bar and type cmd.
4. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER: Instead of just pressing Enter, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

By pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER, Windows will prompt you with a User Account Control (UAC) dialog asking for permission to run the Command Prompt as an administrator. Confirm the prompt, and a Command Prompt window will open with administrative privileges, with the current directory set to the folder you were in when you typed cmd in File Explorer.

• Benefit: Opens cmd directly in the desired folder with admin rights.
• Requirement: Requires confirming the UAC prompt.

Method 2: Navigating via Command Prompt First (Alternative)

While not running cmd from File Explorer in the same way, the reference mentions an alternative approach:

1. Open Command Prompt normally (you can open it as administrator initially if needed, though this method doesn't require it to start).
2. Use the cd command to navigate to the desired folder path. For example, cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents.
3. Once you are in the desired directory in Command Prompt, type start . and press Enter.

This start . command will open a new File Explorer window displaying the current directory you were in within the Command Prompt. This is more about using Command Prompt to open File Explorer in a specific location rather than the other way around for running cmd as admin.

Summary Table:

Method	Action in File Explorer	Command/Keys	Result
Using Address Bar	Type cmd in address bar	CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER	Opens Admin CMD in current folder (via UAC)
Navigating via CMD	(Doesn't open CMD from Explorer)	cd <path>, start .	Opens File Explorer in current CMD folder

For the specific task of launching an administrator Command Prompt from a particular folder location already open in File Explorer, the address bar method using CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER is the most direct technique, as detailed in the provided reference.