On Windows 10, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on “Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the Start button or press Windows key+X.” The Win+X menu will show PowerShell instead of Command Prompt. Turn the switch off to restore Command Prompt; neither shell is removed.
Switch the Win+X menu to PowerShell in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings, or press Windows key+I.
- Select Personalization > Taskbar.
- Find Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the Start button or press Windows key+X.
- Set the switch to On.
- Right-click the Start button or press Windows key+X. The menu should show Windows PowerShell, including its administrator entry where applicable.
Microsoft describes this as a menu substitution: PowerShell appears in the Win+X Power User menu and File Explorer’s File menu instead of Command Prompt. It does not uninstall either shell or remove cmd.exe; you can still launch Command Prompt through other routes. Microsoft’s Windows Command Line team explains the change.
Restore Command Prompt in the menu
Return to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and set the same switch to Off. Right-click Start or press Windows key+X to confirm Command Prompt is shown again. Microsoft’s support guidance gives the same setting path.
Windows 11 uses a different setting
Do not assume the Windows 10 Taskbar switch applies to Windows 11. Microsoft’s documentation for Windows 11 version 22H2 describes a different arrangement: Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and other console apps open inside Windows Terminal by default. To opt out, go to Start > Settings > System > Advanced > Terminal, then select Windows Console Host. This changes the application hosting console windows; it is not the Windows 10 preference for replacing the Win+X menu shortcut. See Microsoft Support’s Windows Terminal guidance.
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