How to Enable “Open Command Window Here” Option in Context Menu in Windows Vista

In Windows Vista and later, if you press <SHIFT> key and right-click on any folder, you get some extra options like "Open Command Window Here", etc. But if you don't press the SHIFT key, you don't get those extra options.

In this tutorial, we'll tell you how to permanently enable that hidden "Open Command Window here" option in context menu so that it always shows in context menu without any need to press<SHIFT> key.

Simply follow these simple steps:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following keys one by one:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd

3. In right-side pane, you'll get a String value Extended. Delete it and the option will get enabled permanently in folders as well as drives context menus.

PS: If you want to enable this option in Desktop context menu as well, follow the same steps for following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd

Now you'll always get "Open Command Window Here" option in context menu and you'll not need to press SHIFT key any more.