How to Open PowerShell Using Windows Key + R

The quickest way to open PowerShell

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type powershell and press Enter. PowerShell will open in a new window.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Run dialog is a small box that appears in the lower left of your screen, with a text field where you type commands. It's one of the fastest ways to launch programs without clicking through menus or waiting for the Start menu to load.

If you want to open PowerShell with administrator permissions (which some tasks require), type powershell in the Run dialog, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of just Enter. Windows will ask you to confirm that you want to allow the program to make changes to your device. This confirmation step is a security measure to prevent accidental changes to your system.

Key Takeaways

• Windows key + R opens the Run dialog, where you type powershell and press Enter to launch PowerShell.
• Use Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of Enter to open PowerShell as an administrator when you need higher permissions.
• The Run dialog appears in the lower left corner of your screen and closes once you press Enter, which is normal behavior.
• You can also type pwsh in the Run dialog to open PowerShell 7 (the newer version) if it's installed on your computer.
• If the Run dialog doesn't respond, you can open PowerShell through the Start menu or by right-clicking in File Explorer.

What happens after you press Enter

PowerShell opens in a new window with a dark background and white text. The window shows a command prompt that looks like this: PS C:\Users\YourUsername>. This is where you type commands. The exact path shown depends on which folder PowerShell opens in — by default, it opens in your user home directory.

The first time you open PowerShell on a fresh Windows installation, it may take a few seconds longer to start because Windows is loading the PowerShell engine for the first time. After that, it opens faster on subsequent launches. If nothing happens after you press Enter, check that you typed powershell correctly — Windows is case-insensitive, so PowerShell, POWERSHELL, and powershell all work the same way.

Once PowerShell is open, you can type commands directly at the prompt. The window stays open until you type exit and press Enter, or until you click the X button to close it.

Administrator mode and why you might need it

Some PowerShell commands require administrator permissions to run. If you try to run a command that needs these permissions and PowerShell is not running as administrator, you'll see an error message that says something like "Access Denied" or "You do not have permission to perform this action." Common tasks that need administrator mode include installing software, modifying system settings, or managing user accounts.

When you open PowerShell as administrator using Ctrl + Shift + Enter, the window title bar will show "Administrator: Windows PowerShell" at the top. This tells you that the window has the higher permissions it needs. You'll only see the permission confirmation dialog once — after you click "Yes," PowerShell opens normally and you can start typing commands.

Administrator mode is safe to use, but only run commands you understand or that you've found from a trusted source. Commands run in administrator mode can make system-wide changes, so be careful what you type and verify the source of any instructions before following them.

Alternatives if the Run dialog doesn't work

On rare occasions, the Run dialog may not respond to Windows key + R. If this happens, you can open PowerShell through the Start menu instead. Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner, type powershell, and click on "Windows PowerShell" or "PowerShell 7" in the results. This method takes slightly longer but works when the Run dialog is unresponsive.

You can also right-click on your desktop or in File Explorer and look for an option that says "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open Terminal here." The exact wording depends on your Windows version — Windows 11 often shows "Open in Terminal" while Windows 10 shows "Open PowerShell window here." This method opens PowerShell already pointed at the folder you right-clicked in, which is useful if you're working with files in a specific location and want to avoid typing out the full path.

PowerShell vs. Command Prompt vs. PowerShell 7

Windows has three command-line tools that look similar but work differently. Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is the oldest and most basic. Windows PowerShell (powershell.exe) is more powerful and newer. PowerShell 7 (pwsh.exe) is the newest version and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

For most everyday tasks, Windows PowerShell is what you want. If you've installed PowerShell 7 separately and prefer it, type pwsh in the Run dialog instead of powershell. If you type a command and PowerShell doesn't recognize it, you may be in Command Prompt by mistake — check the window title to see which one you're in. Command Prompt windows show "Command Prompt" in the title bar, while PowerShell windows show "Windows PowerShell" or "Administrator: Windows PowerShell."

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I type powershell and nothing happens?

Wait a few seconds — PowerShell can be slow to start on older computers or if your system is busy with other tasks. If the Run dialog is still open and nothing has launched after 10 seconds, close the dialog by pressing Escape and try again. If it still doesn't work, restart your computer and try once more.

Can I use the Run dialog to open PowerShell in a specific folder?

The Run dialog alone cannot do this directly, but you can open File Explorer, navigate to the folder you want, and right-click inside it to open PowerShell there. This is faster than opening PowerShell first and then navigating to the folder using commands.

Why does the Run dialog close after I press Enter?

The Run dialog is designed to close once you've typed a command and pressed Enter. It's not an error — it's normal behavior. PowerShell opens in its own separate window while the Run dialog disappears.

Is it safe to use administrator mode?

Administrator mode is safe to use, but only run commands you understand or that you've found from a trusted source. Commands run in administrator mode can make system-wide changes, so verify what you're typing before you press Enter.

What's the difference between typing powershell and pwsh?

Typing powershell opens Windows PowerShell, which comes built into Windows. Typing pwsh opens PowerShell 7, which is a newer version you must download and install separately. If you type pwsh and nothing happens, PowerShell 7 is not installed on your computer.