Get access to command-line interface on Windows

There are a lot of benefits of being a command-line interface (CLI) user as with this tool, you can leverage the shortest possible route to get your things done. Today, we will see how you can get access to this mighty tool for your endeavour.

How can you get to a command line on Windows?

Let’s assume you know that command-line interface has an interpreter, which interprets whatever the input is being put in the command-line interface, and the input is being interpreted by command-line-interpreter called shell. So, you would start a shell in order to user command-line interface.

The easiest way to get access to this command line is to type in your windows search bar from the taskbar or start menu or ‘windows + R’ and type cmd and hit enter. This will immediately bring out the command-line interface. This is a black box with white text ready to interact with you. In order to close this box, you simply type exit and hit enter or you can just close it.

Limitations of working with a command-line on Windows

Notice that just because you are in the command line now, you do not get the super privilege to do anything you want. The UAC (User Account Control) will still kick in every time you try run a command that requires the administrator or elevate privilege by popping up a box. If you need to perform some tasks that will constantly require the elevated privilege, it is better to right-click the command prompt and select Run as administrator.

If any administrator credentials are required a box will pop up, simply type in your administrator credentials there.

Another option to get to a command-line interface

If these typing seems unnecessary to get access to the command line, do this instead. Go to your desktop. Right click, select new. A blank shortcut will be created for you on the desktop while popping up a box to locate what ever you want to put as a shortcut here.

For our purpose, simply type in cmd and hit enter. You will now have a shortcut of command line sitting right on your desktop. To set it as administrator privilege, right click on the shortcut, select properties. From there, make sure you are on the shortcut tab and click the advanced button. Now you should check the run as administrator tab and hit apply and ok. Now you will have the command-line interface sitting right on your desktop with administrator privilege. Note that this process of creating a shortcut is applicable on all versions of Windows.