How to start a command prompt in a folder in Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000

Modify the Registry Manually

To add the Command Prompt command to the shortcut menu:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_CLASES_ROOT\Directory\shell
3. Right-click the shell key, point to New, and then click Key.
4. Name the new key OpenNew.
5. Click the OpenNew key, and then double-click the Default value in the right pane.
6. Change the value to Command Prompt. Click OK.
7. Right-click the OpenNew key, point to New, and then click Key.
8. Name the new key Command.
9. Double-click the Default item in the right pane.
10. Change the value to cmd.exe /k cd %1.

If you have multiple drives on your computer, you can add a similar command to the shortcut menu that appears when you right-click a drive in Windows Explorer or My Computer. The steps to do this are the same as those for creating the Command Prompt command, except that you use the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell registry key as the starting point. Also, change the value of the Default value in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\OpenNew\Command key to cmd.exe /k.

Modify the Registry with a Script

To add the Command Prompt command to the shortcut menu:

1. Copy the following text to a file named Cmdhere.reg:
   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\OpenNew]
   @="Command Prompt"
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\OpenNew\Command]
   @="cmd.exe /k cd %1"
2. Save the Cmdhere.reg file.
3. Double-click the Cmdhere.reg file to automatically add the registry entries.