Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell on the Win+X Menu GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows
Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell on the Win+X Menu
Open the Personalization settings to swap PowerShell and Command Prompt
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 6, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide What to Know
Windows 10: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > choose the Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell option.Windows 8: Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Taskbar and Navigation > Navigation > choose the "replace" option. This article explains how to switch the Power User Menu (WIN+X) option for Command Prompt to be PowerShell, or vice versa. How to Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell in WIN+ X Menu in Windows 10
Because Microsoft continuously tweaks the operating system, the layout and title of the Windows Settings screens may differ slightly depending on which release of Windows 10 you're running. Open Windows Settings by pressing Win+I. Select Personalization. From the Personalization applet, select Taskbar. Select the option to Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the start button or press Windows key+X. Select OK, and then close Windows Settings. How to Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell in WIN+ X Menu in Windows 8 1
The procedure differs in Windows 8.1: Open the Windows 8 Control Panel. The Apps screen is probably the quickest way to do this on a touch interface but, ironically enough, you can also get there from the Power User Menu. If you're using a mouse and have the Desktop open, just right-click on the taskbar and then click Properties. Skip to Step 4 if you do this. In the Control Panel window, tap or click on Appearance and Personalization. The Appearance and Personalization applet won't exist if your Control Panel view is set to Small icons or Large icons. In either of those views, tap or click on Taskbar and Navigation and then move on to Step 4. On the Appearance and Personalization screen, select Taskbar and Navigation. Tap or click the Navigation tab on the Taskbar and Navigation window that should now be open. It's just to the right of the Taskbar tab that you're probably on now. In the Corner navigation area at the top of this window, check the box next to Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the lower-left corner or press Windows key+X. PowerShell WIN+X Replacement Option in Windows 8. Uncheck this box if you'd like to replace the existing Windows PowerShell shortcuts in your Power User Menu with Command Prompt shortcuts. Since showing Command Prompt is the default configuration, you'll probably only find yourself in this situation if you've previously followed these instructions but have since changed your mind. Tap or click OK to confirm this change. From now on, Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell (Admin) will be available through the Power User Menu instead of Command Prompt and Command Prompt (Admin). Additional Tips
This tweak does not mean Command Prompt has been uninstalled or removed from Windows in any way—it's just not accessible from the WIN+X Menu. You can still open Command Prompt like any other program, anytime you want. Windows PowerShell is only an option for the Power User Menu if you've updated to Windows 8.1 or greater. If you don't see the option from Step 5 above, update to Windows 8.1 and try again. See How to Upgrade to Windows 8.1 if you need help. This procedure works in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 only. The equivalent Power User Menu option in Windows 11, called Windows Terminal, combines both tools. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1 How to Open Disk Management From Command Prompt How to Open Command Prompt (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc.) What Is the Windows Terminal & How Does It Work? How to Find a Windows 11 Product Key How to Fix a Frozen Windows 10 Taskbar How to Open an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows What Version of Windows Do I Have? Use Windows Like a Pro With the Power User Menu How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How Do I Disable a Device in Device Manager in Windows? How to Open File Explorer in Windows 11 How to Disable Taskbar Button Grouping in Windows How to Install and Setup BASH on Windows 10 How to Change DNS Servers in Windows How to Remove Chat From Windows 11 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies