Windows XP:

1. Click the Start button -> Run type cmd and press Enter.
This will bring up the command prompt.

2. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press R, type cmd and press Enter.

3. If you need to get to command prompt before Windows loads then reboot your computer and keep tapping the F8 key on your keyboard (the same way you reboot in safe mode) and when you see the advanced boot options menu choose Command prompt only.

4. Getting to command prompt using the Windows XP CD. Insert the CD in your drive and reboot the computer. When you see the message “Press any key to boot from CD..” simply press any key on your keyboard. Soon you should see the “Welcome to Setup” screen, press ‘R” to start the recovery console. If you have two boot systems then you can choose either 1 or 2 and press Enter, then type the admin password and press Enter again. The command prompt should appear.

Windows Vista:

1. Hold down the Shift key and right click on a folder icon (or anywhere on your desktop for that matter) and choose “Open Command Window Here”.

2. Open Command prompt with administrative privileges - click the Start button, in the Start Search box, type Cmd. Right click on the Command Prompt in the search result listing and choose Run as Administrator.

3. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press R, type cmd and press Enter.