How to fix cmd.exe startup error

The command line is a very useful thing, but very often it happens that some unexpected errors occur when you launch it. In this article we will look in as much detail as possible at what needs to be done to get the command line back working.

Causes of error

The main reasons include the following:

• Incorrect shutdown;
  
  
• Incorrect operating system update;
  
  
• The presence of malicious software on the personal computer;
  
  
• Incorrect operation of the antivirus;
  
  
• Various individual problems.
  

It is worth noting that it is not advisable to download cmd.exe from the Internet, since there is a huge chance of “catch” several viruses on your PC.
Let's consider methods for solving the problem.

Method 1: Change account

It often happens that the user is unable to launch the command line because he has limited rights. This applies to those “accounts” that are configured by the administrator himself.

To solve the problem, you need to ask the administrator for permission to run cmd for the account. If you have access to absolutely all profiles, then log in with an administrator account.

You can switch between accounts as follows:

1. Press the key combination Win + L.
   
   
2. You find yourself at the entry window. Here is a list of all existing accounts.
   
   
3. Click on the administrator profile, enter the password, and then click "To come in".
   
   
4. Ready! Now you can use the command line.
   

Method 2: Cleaning startup

Perhaps the problem lies precisely in autoloading. There may be programs here that prevent the command line from launching correctly.
The procedure is carried out as follows:

1. Press the key combination Win + R.
   
   
2. Enter in the text field msconfig.
   
   
3. I'm shchyolkaem "OK".
   
   
4. Click here "Avtozagruzka".
   
   
5. Absolutely all startup elements are located here. To remove a program from startup, you just need to uncheck the box next to its name.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Click "OK" and check the functionality of the command line. If it still does not start, then we try to disable the next program and so on.
   

In addition, you can try to go to "Task Manager" and in the same way, turn off running applications one by one.

Method 3: Uninstall NVIDIA GeForce Experience

For many users, removing NVIDIA GeForce Experience helped solve the problem.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Let's go to "This computer". Finding an element in the header "Uninstall or change a program" and click on it.
   
   
   
   
   
2. We find ourselves in a window called "Options". In the voluminous list we find GeForce Experience and click on it with LMB.
   
   
3. Click on "Delete".
   
   
   
   
   
4. We confirm the uninstallation.
   

Method 4: Update Drivers

Outdated or incorrectly installed drivers are another possible cause of a command line startup error.

You should start by updating your video card drivers. Let's look at the process using nVidia as an example:

1. We go to the official website of the manufacturer.
   
   
2. Go to the driver search page.
   
   
3. Here we indicate all the necessary data for your graphics adapter and operating system. Click "Search". Next, download the found driver installer and run it.
   
   
4. Following the prompts, we install the driver.
   
   
   
   

If this does not help, then you should update the drivers for the remaining components of the computer.

The most convenient way, without using third-party utilities, is as follows:

1. Click RMB on "This computer" and choose "Control".
   
   
   
   
   
2. Choosing "Device Manager".
   
   
   
   
   
3. The list contains absolutely all devices. Right-click on any device and press "Update drivers...".
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click "Automatically search for updated drivers".
   
   
   
   
   
5. We confirm the installation and wait for it to complete. In a similar way, other personal computer devices are updated.
   

Method 5: Update Microsoft Libraries

It is worth trying to update the operating system libraries and programs, as this may indeed solve the problem.

You'll need to update things like DirectX, .NET Framework, and Microsoft Visual C++. It is very easy to implement this procedure, since you just need to visit the official Microsoft website and download from there the latest versions of these components that are suitable for your operating system.

Method 6: Check for malware

Viruses are dangerous things that can create various errors in applications. The command line may not start, precisely because of viruses. It is necessary to scan your PC for malware and remove it. This can be done using the free program Dr.Web CureIt.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Let's launch the scanner.
   
   
2. We agree to the license agreement.
   
   
3. I'm shchyolkaem "Nachat checker".
   
   
   
   
   
4. The search for malicious software has begun.
   
   
5. After finishing, you can remove all detected threats.
   

Method 7: Checking System Files

The first step is to make sure that "Windows Module Installer" launched:

1. Pressing the key combination Win + R, vvodim services.msc and click "OK".
   
   
   
   
   
2. shchyolkaem pravoy knopkoy myshi na "Windows Module Installer" and choose "Properties".
   
   
3. In the launch type, select "Manually" and click "Run".
   
   
   
   

Safe mode

1. Boot into safe mode.
   
   
2. Open the command line. If this succeeds, then enter the following: sfc / scannow
   
   
3. All damaged items that are found will be restored.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Reboot the PC and check that the command line is working.
   

System Restore

If the command line does not start in safe mode, you should try this procedure from recovery mode.

Walkthrough:

1. Insert the bootable media and start the personal computer.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Hold down the keys Shift + F10 and we get to the command line.
   
   
3. We introduce diskpart and thereby launch an application that works with hard drives.
   
   
   
   
   
4. We introduce list diskto display absolutely all drives.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Next, enter select diskX. It is worth understanding that X is the disk number. The system hard drive number can be determined by its size.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Propysyvaem detail disk and find out all the information about the disk partitions. Determine the size of the system drive letter.
   
   
   
   
   
7. I write exitto finish working with this program.
   
   
   
   
   
8. We introduce sfc /scannow /OFFBOOTDIR=X:\ /OFFWINDIR=X:\windows, where X is the system drive letter.
   
   
   
   
   
9. The system scan has begun. If no problems are found, then you need to use the following methods to solve the problem.
   

Method 8: Clearing debris

The presence of garbage in the registry is a possible source of problems with the command line. Registry malfunctions occur after incorrect uninstallation of utilities that used the command line in their work.

You can clear the registry of garbage in the following way:

1. Press the key combination Win + I.
   
   
2. Choosing "System".
   
   
   
   
   
3. I'm shchyolkaem "Storage".
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the system disk.
   
   
   
   
   
5. We are waiting for the analysis to finish. After completion, click on the element "Temporary files".
   
   
   
   
   
6. We put a tick next to such elements as "Empty Trash", "Temporary files" и "Downloads folder".
   
   
   
   
   
7. We press "Udalit file". Now you can check the functionality of the command line.
   

Method 9: Uninstall the antivirus or turn it off

First, you just need to try disabling your antivirus and check the functionality of cmd. If this does not help, then you need to remove it.

Each antivirus has its own removal instructions, so we will look at uninstallation using the example of the famous Kaspersky:

1. Download Kavremover and then launch it.
   
   
2. Choose your antivirus.
   
   
3. Enter the code from the picture, and then click "Delete".
   
   
   
   
   
4. The uninstallation was successful and the computer rebooted.
   

Method 10: System Updates

The command line may not be working due to incorrectly installed system updates. Everything is simple here - you need to check the operating system to install the latest updates.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Click here Pusk and click on the gear icon.
   
   
2. Click Update and Security.
   
   
   
   
   
3. I'm shchyolkaem "Checking for updates".
   
   
   
   
   
4. If a message appears about uninstalled updates, install them and then check their functionality cmd.
   

Method 11: System Restore

Very often a solution such as rolling back the system to a restore point helps. It looks like this:

1. When turning on the PC, press the key F8.
   
   
2. Choosing "Diagnosis".
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click "Extra options".
   
   
   
   
   
4. I'm shchyolkaem "Systemic recovery".
   
   
   
   
   
5. In a new window, select the required restore point.
   
   
   
   
   
6. After completion, press the button "Done".
   

Method 12: Reinstalling the operating system

This is the most extreme solution, which should be resorted to only if all the previous ones have not brought any results.

Let's look at reinstallation using Windows 7 as an example:

1. Turn off the personal computer and insert the bootable media.
   
   
2. When starting the PC, go to the BIOS using the key F2.
   
   
3. In section "Boot" put the bootable media in first place and click F10.
   
   
4. Perezapuskaem PK.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Next, following the interface prompts, we install the operating system. Choose "Full installation", and also indicate the disk on which we install the system. We are waiting for completion.
   

The article discussed all the main methods for solving this problem. Absolutely every method is worth trying.