Changing default startup directory for command prompt in Windows 7

Question

How do I change default startup directory for command prompt in Windows 7?

I usually do the following to start command prompt from C:\\

  WIN-R (Run Promp         


        

Answer 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor

string: Autorun value: cd /d %~dp0

all bat files will run from the bat file location

Answer 2

I think the easiest way is to make a cmd shortcut, then change the shortcut's "Start in" directory to the one you want to start with.

Answer 3

changing shortcut under Windows System on 8.1 worked for me - another thing I found is that 'Start In:' WORKS when Advanced -> Run as admin is UNCHECKED, however, if CHECKED, it does not work

Answer 4

Keep the opening of the command prompt clean. Avoid editing the registry key and adding an Autorun, it may come back to bite you.
Create a simple batch file and save it in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. I call mine !.bat (exclamation mark). It has the following commands:

@echo off c: cd \ cls whoami

It goes to the folder where I need to work, clears the screen and tells me what security context I'm in.

Answer 5

Use Windows Terminal and configure a starting directory. Partial settings.json:

{
    // Make changes here to the cmd.exe profile.
    "guid": "{0caa0dad-35be-5f56-a8ff-afceeeaa6101}",
    "name": "Command Prompt",
    "commandline": "cmd.exe",
    "hidden": false,
    "startingDirectory": "C:\\DEV"
},