Windows command prompt has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the days of Windows 95/98. Back in those days, it was considered necessary as many of the PC users were trying to move from computers running on command line based operating systems (like PC-DOS) towards modern GUI based operating systems. Now two decades later, we do not really need command prompt. But some of the administrators may find running command line tools necessary and for them Microsoft has designed a much more powerful successor of command prompt called Windows PowerShell.
It is only natural that you would want to switch from the older command prompt to the newer PowerShell sooner or later. So why not start with replacing the shortcuts for command prompt with those for PowerShell. You can actually change the admin menu (the menu that appears when you press the hotkey Win+X) shortcuts to run PowerShell instead of command prompt. Here is how:
- Right-click anywhere on the Windows taskbar and select Properties.
- In the Windows Taskbar & Notification Properties window, switch to the Navigation tab.
- Check the checkbox labeled Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click on the lower left corner or press Windows Key + X.
- Click on the OK button to save the settings and close the settings window.
- Now try pressing the hotkey Win+X and you will see Windows PowerShell instead of the command prompt shortcuts.
Conclusion: Windows PowerShell is going to replace the older command prompt in Windows sooner or later. If you frequently access Windows PowerShell regularly, then you can replace command prompt shortcuts in the administrator menu with those for Windows PowerShell.