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How can I add a Command Prompt option to the default Explorer right click context menu?
If you find that you frequently open a Command Prompt window and change to a specific directory, you can add the Command Prompt to your shortcut menu. This option enables you to right-click on a folder within Windows Explorer and choose the Command Prompt – which opens a Command Prompt window with that folder as your active directory.
To add the Command Prompt option to the default right click context menu in Windows Explorer you can do one of the following:
Note: For Windows Vista this feature is already built in the operating system. Read Quickly Open Command Prompt Here in Windows Vista for more info.
This is the easiest and most idiot-proof method.
Use the old Microsoft Powertoy called “DOSHERE”. You can download it from HERE (1kb). Unzip it and then right click the INF file and choose install.
You can also use the newer MS Powertoys found HERE. Download the Open Command Window Here file and install it.
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One of my favorite tools, one that I usually install right after finishing setting up any new system.
Send To Toys is an enhancement of the Send To system menu. It has many nice features including:
Send to Toys is freeware and can be installed on any version of Windows.
Download Send to Toys v2.4 (527kb)
Now right click on Start, you should have a new drop down option. Open explorer and right click on a folder, select Command Prompt and a command window opens in that folder.
Read this thread for some information on how to remove the context menu:
Command Prompt Quickie – Petri.co.il forums by Daniel Petri
@echo off cd /d %1 Title %~f1
cmd.exe /a /k c:\winnt\StartPrompt "%l"
Open Windows NT Explorer, then right-click on a folder. You should now see a new option called “Command Prompt” on the shortcut menu. If you choose this option, Windows Explorer opens a new Command Prompt window with the selected directory as your current directory.
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Classes/Folder/Shell
and create a key called “Command Prompt” without the quotes.
cmd.exe /k pushd %1
You may need to add %SystemRoot%\system32\ before the cmd.exe if the executable can’t be found.
Note: You can do the same for Windows 98. Type in “c:\windows\command.com /k pushd %1” (without the quotes).
You might also want to read the following related articles:
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