Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell on the Win+X Menu

This article explains how to switch the Power User Menu (WIN+X) option for Command Prompt to be PowerShell, or vice versa.

How to Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell in WIN+X Menu in Windows 10

Because Microsoft continuously tweaks the operating system, the layout and title of the Windows Settings screens may differ slightly depending on which release of Windows 10 you're running.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing Win+I. Select Personalization.

2. From the Personalization applet, select Taskbar.

3. Select the option to Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the start button or press Windows key+X.

4. Select OK, and then close Windows Settings.

How to Switch Command Prompt and PowerShell in WIN+X Menu in Windows 8.1

The procedure differs in Windows 8.1:

1. Open the Windows 8 Control Panel. The Apps screen is probably the quickest way to do this on a touch interface but, ironically enough, you can also get there from the Power User Menu.

   If you're using a mouse and have the Desktop open, just right-click on the taskbar and then click Properties. Skip to Step 4 if you do this.

2. In the Control Panel window, tap or click on Appearance and Personalization.

   The Appearance and Personalization applet won't exist if your Control Panel view is set to Small icons or Large icons. In either of those views, tap or click on Taskbar and Navigation and then move on to Step 4.

3. On the Appearance and Personalization screen, select Taskbar and Navigation.

4. Tap or click the Navigation tab on the Taskbar and Navigation window that should now be open. It's just to the right of the Taskbar tab that you're probably on now.

5. In the Corner navigation area at the top of this window, check the box next to Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the lower-left corner or press Windows key+X.

   Uncheck this box if you'd like to replace the existing Windows PowerShell shortcuts in your Power User Menu with Command Prompt shortcuts. Since showing Command Prompt is the default configuration, you'll probably only find yourself in this situation if you've previously followed these instructions but have since changed your mind.

6. Tap or click OK to confirm this change.

   From now on, Windows PowerShell and Windows PowerShell (Admin) will be available through the Power User Menu instead of Command Prompt and Command Prompt (Admin).

Additional Tips

This tweak does not mean Command Prompt has been uninstalled or removed from Windows in any way—it's just not accessible from the WIN+X Menu. You can still ​open Command Prompt like any other program, anytime you want.

Windows PowerShell is only an option for the Power User Menu if you've updated to Windows 8.1 or greater. If you don't see the option from Step 5 above, update to Windows 8.1 and try again. See How to Upgrade to Windows 8.1 if you need help.