How to Open CMD from the Windows 11 Installer: Setup Methods and Options

If you need to open the console commands in the middle of the installation wizard Windows 11, there are very direct shortcuts that save you timeIn this guide, I explain, step by step, how to launch Command Prompt during the installer, as well as the classic paths to open CMD within Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier versions, and a practical compendium of setup.exe modifiers that can save you from a complicated installation.

I also compile all the command line options of the Windows installation tool (setup.exe) as they appear in the technical documentation., translated into a familiar language and organized so you can refer to them when you need to automate, debug, or adjust an installation or update.

Quick ways to open CMD during the Windows 11 installer

Keyboard shortcut: Shift + F10When you boot from the Windows 11 installation media (ISO/USB) and reach the first screen of the wizard, you can instantly open the command console by pressing Shift + F10. This will bring up a CMD window from which you can run utilities and commands for repair, partitioning, registry, and more.

Route through the advanced installer optionsIf you prefer to navigate through menus, on the installer's opening screen, click "Repair your computer," select "Troubleshoot," and select "Command Prompt." This will open the CMD console in the Windows RE environment included in the installation media, useful when you need a command prompt session with the recovery environment loaded.

Other ways to open Command Prompt in Windows 11 and earlier

Windows 11 (within the already installed system)

Method from Start. Open the Start menu, type "Command Prompt" in the search box, and enter it. If you need elevated privileges, right-click the result and choose "Run as administrator."

Run box. Press Windows + R, type cmd and confirm with OK to launch the console quickly without going through the menu.

Windows 10

Universal combination with Windows + R. Press Windows + R, type cmd and press OK; you will open cmd.exe instantly on most devices.

From the Start menu search. Click on the "Search the web and Windows" box, type cmd, and enter “Command Prompt” when it appears in the results.

Windows 8 and 8.1

Access from the sidebar. Move the pointer to the right edge to display the menu, use the search engine and enter cmd; open Command Prompt.

With direct access on the desktop. Right click on the desktop, New > Shortcut, and in "Enter the location of the item" put C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe. Name it, Finish, and that's it; right-click and you can "Open as administrator" whenever you need.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Search from the Start menu. Click on the Windows button, type cmd in the search box and open the "Command Prompt" result. To run it elevated, right-click and choose "Run as administrator."

Windows XP

Classic Route by Accessories. Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. In this version, The context is usually started with administrator permissions by default, so you won't have to lift manually in most cases.

Setup.exe parameters to automate, debug, and control an installation

In addition to opening CMD, the Windows installer exposes a set of command line switches that allow you to adjust the behavior of installations and updates.Below is a practical breakdown with syntax, use cases, and approximate availability.

/1394Debug

Enables kernel debugging over FireWire (IEEE 1394) during Windows and WinPE phase. Syntax: /1394Debug:<canal> . By default, channel 1 and 19200 baud (also 57600 or 115200). Example: setup /1394debug:1 /baudrate:115200.

Availability: from WinPE yes; when launching setup from Windows 10 or later, no; not applicable to setupconfig.ini.

/AddBootMgrLast

Put Windows Boot Manager as the last entry in the order of Boot UEFI. Syntax: /AddBootMgrLast. Only supported on UEFI computers with Windows PE 4.0 or higher.

Availability: from WinPE yes; from Windows no; setupconfig.ini is not supported.

/Car

Run an automatic update. Syntax: /Auto {Clean | DataOnly | Upgrade}. Clean installs from scratch; DataOnly keeps only data; Upgrade keeps apps and data. Examples: setup /auto clean, setup /auto dataonly, setup /auto upgrade.

Key Notes: cannot be combined with unattended file; validate compatibility and ei.cfg; supports specific customizations (LCU, SSU, Setup binaries, SafeOS, languages, and FOD). On Windows 11, it does not accept or remove EULAs (uses /EULA) and, from 22H2, for Upgrade The media language must match the system UI language.

Availability: from Windows 10 or higher yes; from WinPE no; does not use setupconfig.ini.

/BitLocker

Monitors the status of BitLocker during the upgrade. Syntax: /BitLocker {AlwaysSuspend | TryKeepActive | ForceKeepActive}Default: TryKeepActive. If ForceKeepActive blocks the update due to BitLocker, it will fail.

Availability: from Windows yes; from WinPE no; supports setupconfig.ini.

/BusParams

Defines the PCI address for debug ports (1394/USB/NET). Syntax: /BusParams:<bus.dispositivo.función>. Example: setup /busparams:0.29.7. Numbers in decimal.

Availability: from WinPE yes; from Windows no; without setupconfig.ini.

/ConfigFile

Point to where the setupconfig file is. Syntax: /ConfigFile:<ruta>. It can be local or UNC. If an option is on the line and in setupconfig, send the setupconfig. Example: setup /ConfigFile:\\server\share\.

Availability: WinPE yes (since Windows 11 24H2); Windows does; it doesn't use setupconfig.ini for feature updates because it's already its own file.

/CompactOS

Force or disable Compact OS to save space. Syntax: /CompactOS {Enable | Disable}By default, Setup decides automatically. Example: setup /compactos enable.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE compatibility since Windows 11 24H2).

/Compat

Manages compatibility checks. Syntax: /Compat {IgnoreWarning | ScanOnly}. With ScanOnlySetup exits with codes (without installing): 0xC1900210 if there are no problems; 0xC1900208 if there are crashes, among other specific codes.

Examples: setup /compat ignorewarning; in silent and only analysis: setup /auto upgrade /quiet /compat scanonly; ignoring common warnings: ... /compat scanonly /compat ignorewarning; collecting logs: ... /copylogs C:\Temp\Logfiles.log.

Availability: from Windows yes (and setupconfig.ini only with IgnoreWarning); from WinPE no.

/CopyLogs

Copy or upload compressed logs when installation fails. Syntax: /CopyLogs <ruta> (local or UNC). Example: setup /copylogs \\server\share\. It runs in system context, be careful with permissions.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/Debug

Enable kernel debugging via serial (COM) port. Syntax: /Debug:<puerto> . Example: setup /debug:1 /baudrate:115200.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/DiagnosticPrompt

Enable or disable access to CMD with Shift+F10 during installation. Syntax: /DiagnosticPrompt {Enable | Disable}. Example: setup /diagnosticprompt enable.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini.

/DynamicUpdate

Controls Dynamic Update (check for/download/install patches during Setup). Syntax: /DynamicUpdate {Enable | Disable | NoDrivers | NoLCU | NoDriversNoLCU}. Example: setup /auto upgrade /dynamicupdate disable.

Notes: NoDrivers/NoLCU/NoDriversNoLCU (since 2004) run DU excluding drivers and/or the LCU. Ignored if used with /Finalize; is respected with /SkipFinalize.

/EMSPort

Activate/Deactivate Emergency Management Services (EMS). Syntax: /EMSPort:{COM1|COM2|UseBIOSSettings|Off} . Example: setup /emsport:COM1 /emsbaudrate:115200.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/EULA

Removes the EULA Acceptance experience. Syntax: /EULA accept. Required on Windows 11 if there is no UI (or with /Quiet) to continue the installation. Example: setup /auto upgrade /quiet /eula accept.

Availability: from Windows yes; WinPE no; supports setupconfig.ini.

/Finalize

Completes initiated update operations and restarts for offline phase. Syntax: /Finalize. Do not combine with /NoReboot. Error 0xC1900132 if not proceeded after /SkipFinalize.

Availability: Windows yes; WinPE does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/ImageIndex

Select the image index within install.wim. Syntax: /ImageIndex <índice>. Example: ... /imageindex 2 /pkey XXXXX-.... Silently, if there are multiple applicable ones and the key is valid for several, it may fail with 0xC1900215.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; setupconfig.ini only with MU (not UUP).

/InstallDrivers

Add INF-style drivers to the new installation. Syntax: /InstallDrivers <ruta> (local or UNC; recursive). Example: ... /installdrivers C:\Fabrikam\drivers.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/InstallFrom

Specifies an alternative install.wim. Syntax: /InstallFrom <ruta>. It also works with split images, targeting the first .swm. Examples: setup /installfrom D:\custom.wim o setup /installfrom D:\install.swm.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; no setupconfig.ini.

/InstallLangPacks

Add language packs (lp.cab) and language components. Syntax: /InstallLangPacks <ruta>. Installs the contents of the directory and subfolders. Example: ... /installlangpacks C:\Fabrikam\Languages\French.

Availability: Windows does; MU supports setupconfig.ini (not UUP). In 1903+, errors cause rollback.

/m

Tells Setup to copy replacements from alternate folder. Syntax: /m:<carpeta>. Local drive only (not UNC). Requires replicating the $OEM$ structure to locate the files where they will go on the system.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/MigNEO

Disables NEO optimizations in the offline phase of an update. Syntax: /MigNEO Disable. Designed to control the process of a single reboot.

Availability: Windows yes only with /Auto Upgrade | DataOnly; supports setupconfig.ini in those cases.

/MigrateDrivers

Defines whether to migrate drivers from the previous system. Syntax: /MigrateDrivers {All | None}. Pairs well with /InstallDrivers. Examples: ... /migratedrivers all o ... /migratedrivers none /installdrivers N:\NewDrivers.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/NetDebug

Network Kernel Debugging. Syntax: /NetDebug:hostip=w.x.y.z,port=n,key=q.r.s.t. Examples: setup /netdebug:hostip=10.125.4.86,port=50000,key=0.0.0.0 or with nodhcp y busparams.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/NoReboot

Avoid the first reset after completing the low-level phase. Syntax: /NoReboot. Useful for running additional commands before rebooting; does not prevent subsequent reboots.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; no setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/PKey

Provides a product key to Setup. Syntax: /PKey XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Combinable with other parameters in custom media.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/Priority

Adjusts the priority of the Setup process. Syntax: /Priority {Normal | Low}Media installations are already set to Normal; you can lower it to Low to minimize impact.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/PostOOBE

run a script after completing OOBE. Syntax: /PostOOBE <ruta o carpeta>\setupcomplete.cmd. Examples: ... /postoobe C:\Fabrikam\setupcomplete.cmd o ... /postoobe C:\Fabrikam (Setup copies it to $Windows.~BT).

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/PostRollback

Launches a script if the update is rolled back or the user uninstalls the feature update. Syntax: /PostRollback <ruta o carpeta> . Examples: ... /postrollback C:\Fabrikam\setuprollback.cmd or with user context.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini. By default, on media it runs as user (requires admin); on Windows Update, as a system.

/Quiet

Hides all user experience (including rollback). Syntax: /QuietIdeal for silent IT-controlled deployments.

Availability: Windows yes; without WinPE; does not use setupconfig.ini.

/ReflectDrivers

Specifies third-party encryption drivers for computers with active encryption. Syntax: /ReflectDrivers <ruta>. Include only what is essential to avoid problems.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini (WinPE since 11 24H2).

/ResizeRecoveryPartition

Allows or blocks Setup from resizing or creating the Windows RE partition. Syntax: /ResizeRecoveryPartition {Enable | Disable}. Example: setup /resizerecoverypartition disable.

Availability: WinPE and Windows yes; supports setupconfig.ini.

/ShowOOBE

Forces completion of OOBE or skips it with default values. Syntax: /ShowOOBE {Full | None}. Example: ... /showoobe full.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/SkipFinalize

Prepare the update without confirming it yet (without rebooting). Syntax: /SkipFinalize. Recommended along with /Quiet y /Priority Low, and then followed by /Finalize to confirm with immediate restart.

Availability: Windows yes; without WinPE; does not use setupconfig.ini.

/Telemetry

Enables or disables installation telemetry. Syntax: /Telemetry {Enable | Disable}. Example: setup /telemetry disable.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/TempDrive

Choose the temporary drive for the installation files. Syntax: /TempDrive <letra>. Example: setup /tempdrive H. In updates, this only affects temporary updates; the OS is updated where Setup is running.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/Unattend

Allows you to use an unattended response file. Syntax: /Unattend:<ruta al XML>. Example: setup /unattend:\\server\share\unattend.xml. Cannot be combined with /Auto.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/Uninstall

Enables or disables controls to return to the previous system. Syntax: /Uninstall {Enable | Disable}. Example: setup /uninstall disable.

Availability: Windows yes; no WinPE; supports setupconfig.ini.

/USBDebug

Configure debugging via USB. Syntax: /USBDebug:<hostname>. Example: setup /usbdebug:testmachine01. Takes effect at the next reboot.

Availability: WinPE yes; Windows does not; without setupconfig.ini.

/WDSDiscover and /WDSServer

Start the Windows Deployment Services (WDS) client in discovery mode. Syntax: /WDSDiscover and optionally /WDSServer:<servidor>. Example: setup /wds /wdsdiscover /wdsserver:MyWDSServer. These options are not available starting with Windows 11, version 21H2.

Availability: WinPE yes before 21H2; Windows no; no setupconfig.ini.

Useful exit codes from the installation program

Interpreting these codes will help you know where you are. Some representative ones: 0x3 (CONX_SETUP_EXITCODE_CONTINUE_REBOOT) indicates that the update went well and a reboot is required; 0x5 (CONX_SETUP_EXITCODE_RESUME_AT_COMPAT_REPORT) indicates compatibility issues that require intervention; 0x7 (CONX_SETUP_EXITCODE_AUTO_INSTALL_FAIL) indicates that the selected option (e.g., Data Only or Update) was not available.

With all of the above you have covered the two approaches to open the console in the Windows 11 installer and an arsenal of modifiers to customize the installation.The Shift+F10 key combination when you need to act quickly and the "Repair your computer" option if you prefer the recovery environment, along with setup.exe parameters to automate, debug, or force adjustments (EULA, BitLocker, CompactOS, drivers, OOBE, telemetry, network, debugging, etc.), allow you to tackle everything from basic maintenance tasks to advanced deployments with complete control.