How to Open Explorer.exe from CMD
Opening the Windows Explorer from the Command Prompt (CMD) can be a useful trick for power users who frequently work with the command line. Whether you need to navigate through directories, manage files, or perform administrative tasks, being able to open Explorer.exe from CMD can save time and streamline your workflow. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to open Explorer.exe from the Command Prompt.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
The first step is to open the Command Prompt. There are several ways to do this:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. Alternatively, you can search for “cmd” in the Start menu and click on the Command Prompt application.
Step 2: Navigate to the Desired Directory
Once the Command Prompt is open, you will need to navigate to the directory where you want to open Windows Explorer. You can use the “cd” command followed by the directory path to change directories. For example, to navigate to the “C:\Users” directory, you would type:
“`
cd C:\Users
“`
Step 3: Open Windows Explorer
After navigating to the desired directory, you can open Windows Explorer by typing the following command:
“`
explorer
“`
Press Enter, and Windows Explorer will open in the specified directory.
Step 4: Open Windows Explorer in a Specific Folder
If you want to open Windows Explorer in a specific folder within the current directory, you can use the following command:
“`
explorer .\folder_name
“`
Replace “folder_name” with the actual name of the folder you want to open.
Step 5: Open Windows Explorer with Administrative Privileges
If you need to open Windows Explorer with administrative privileges, you can right-click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” Once the elevated Command Prompt is open, you can use the same commands as before to open Windows Explorer.
Conclusion
Opening Windows Explorer from the Command Prompt is a simple and efficient way to manage files and directories. By following these steps, you can quickly access Explorer.exe and perform various tasks without leaving the command line environment. Whether you are a power user or just looking to expand your command line skills, this trick can be a valuable addition to your toolkit.
