How to Set Up Command Prompt and PowerShell Keyboard/Desktop Shortcuts

Something every Geek should know about

Command Prompt and PowerShell are two essential tools for a command-line user on Windows PCs. If you access these tools frequently, you can add the Command Prompt and PowerShell shortcuts to your desktop to quickly access them.

You can even assign akeyboard shortcutto these apps.

Create a Command Prompt Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10

You can add a Command Prompt shortcut to your desktop the same way you add any other shortcut. Once the shortcut is added, you canchange its name and iconto your liking.

To start:

To run certain commands, you’d need admin privileges in Command Prompt. You can configure your desktop Command Prompt shortcut so that it always opens the tool with admin privileges.

To do this:

You can make opening Command Prompt even easier byassigning a keyboard shortcutto the tool’s desktop shortcut. Windows allows you to choose a custom combination of keys for the shortcut.

To assign a shortcut:

You may want to pin Command Prompt toyour taskbarto open the tool with a single click:

Create a PowerShell Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10

If youuse PowerShell, adding PowerShell’s shortcut to your desktop is as easy as adding any other app’s shortcut.

If you run commands that require admin privileges, configure the PowerShell shortcut to always open the tool with admin rights.

You can assign a shortcut to the PowerShell desktop so that the tool opens with a keystroke.

For quick access, you can add the PowerShellshortcut to your taskbar.

Bonus Tip: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell’s Taskbar Shortcut With a Keyboard Shortcut

By default, Windows 10 assigns a keyboard shortcut to each app on the taskbar. These shortcuts use a numeric system. Here, the app on the farthest left side of the taskbar is numbered one, and then two, three, and so on.

To use this shortcut, you’d press theWindowskey and then the number of your app on the taskbar. For example, if Command Prompt is the fifth numbered shortcut on the taskbar, you’d useWindows+5to open the utility.

You can drag the icons on the taskbar in any direction (left or right), and their shortcuts will change accordingly.

Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm.Read Mahesh’s Full Bio

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How to Set Up Command Prompt and PowerShell Keyboard/Desktop Shortcuts#

Create a Command Prompt Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10#

Create a PowerShell Desktop Shortcut on Windows 10#

Bonus Tip: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell’s Taskbar Shortcut With a Keyboard Shortcut#