Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, How-Tos, Windows x64
Windows 7 tip: (elevated) command prompt anywhere
by Lee Mathews Feb 9th 2009 at 9:00AM
The command prompt here power toy was a feature that a lot of users requested be built-in to Windows 7. Microsoft listened, and added it to a secondary context menu.
By holding shift and right-clicking a folder, you'll see additional commands not listed on the standard menu, such as open in new process, copy as path, and open command window here. Suppose you need a command window with elevated privileges. Then what?
In Windows Vista, it could be done through the start menu by typing cmd into the search box and holding shift+control and hitting enter. This works in Windows 7 as well.
Combine the two, and you've got a right-click elevated command window shortcut: shfit+control+right click on a folder and choose open command window. Check your title bar: if it starts with Administrator, you're set!
Some other sites have posted registry hacks to add a context menu entry for the admin option, but why bother? It's already there - just hidden!
By holding shift and right-clicking a folder, you'll see additional commands not listed on the standard menu, such as open in new process, copy as path, and open command window here. Suppose you need a command window with elevated privileges. Then what?
In Windows Vista, it could be done through the start menu by typing cmd into the search box and holding shift+control and hitting enter. This works in Windows 7 as well.
Combine the two, and you've got a right-click elevated command window shortcut: shfit+control+right click on a folder and choose open command window. Check your title bar: if it starts with Administrator, you're set!
Some other sites have posted registry hacks to add a context menu entry for the admin option, but why bother? It's already there - just hidden!
With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet.
They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Curt Prolix said 10:09AM on 2-09-2009
Useful? Surely! But big deal - this has been a Powertoy since Win 95, IIRC.
Reply
angrykeyboarder said 4:23PM on 2-14-2009
Not exactly. Prior to Vista you had to download and install Power Toys to get this functionality (or hack the registry on your own).
No need to do this in Vista or Windows 7. It's there out of the box.
Mike said 10:15AM on 2-09-2009
I CANT FIND THE SHFIT KEY CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE IT IS
Reply
rick said 7:21PM on 3-13-2009
It's right below your effin caps lock, idiot.
ayanamist said 10:27AM on 2-09-2009
why doesn't it work in my machine?
Reply
angrykeyboarder said 4:27PM on 2-14-2009
I'm wondering the same thing. I've tried it repeatedly and it's just the same as not using the control key. The window just has the normal "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe" title.
I wonder if this is because my account doesn't otherwise have administrator privileges?
I'm one of the rare Windows users that follows UNIX-like convention and only uses the administrator account when absolutely necessary.
RUGRLN said 12:37PM on 2-09-2009
This is also possible on Windows Vista, and there's something like it I think in Windows XP...not an exclusive feature to W7....
Reply
Jash Sayani said 12:53PM on 2-09-2009
Shift + R.Click exists from XP !!
Reply
ron101 said 4:15AM on 2-10-2009
Hi im just trying to get it to work on mine Win 7, but ive only got the left hand ,could you tell what i should use? I can just do it with the mouse right next to the keyboard and clicking on the mouse + shift + click?
Reply
Scott said 11:21PM on 2-14-2009
OK, I got it to work now, I must have overlooked something.
In the meantime, you can do something similar with any program pinned to your Taskbar (Superbar) in Windows 7.
Control+shift+click (no need to right-click) on one of the icons and you'll be running the program as Administrator (you'll get a UAC prompt assuming you have UAC set up and after that you'll be running the program as administrator).
Reply