START Windows command

The Windows start command is a useful tool for opening a new command window, starting a program, or specifying options for how a program should be run. It allows you to launch applications and processes in a new window, enforcing different settings like the window title or priority. Understanding the syntax and available options of the start command can help you streamline your workflow and efficiently manage tasks on your Windows system.

START Syntax:

start [options] [parameters]

Options:

Option	Description
/MAX	Start the window maximized
/MIN	Start the window minimized
/WAIT	Wait for the started program to close
/B	Start application without creating a new window
/SEPARATE	Start 16-bit Windows-based program in separate memory space
/LOW	Start application in the IDLE priority class
/NORMAL	Start application in the NORMAL priority class
/HIGH	Start application in the HIGH priority class
/REALTIME	Start application in the REALTIME priority class

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
command	The command, batch file, or executable to run
arguments	The arguments to pass to the command
path	The path to the file or folder to open

START CMD Examples:

Open a File Explorer window

start explorer

Opens a new File Explorer window.

Launch a website in the default browser

start https://www.google.com

Opens the URL in the default web browser.

Open a specific program

start notepad.exe

Launches the Notepad application.

Start a new command prompt window

start cmd

Opens a new Command Prompt window.

Open the Control Panel

start control

Launches the Control Panel interface.

Open the Windows Calculator

start calc

Launches the Windows Calculator application.

START Command Help Center:

{Questions}

How do I use start in Windows?

To use the start command in Windows, execute the following command:

start --option <value>

How can I open a specific file with start in Windows?

To open a specific file using the start command in Windows, use the following command:

start filename.txt

Can I start a program with specific options using the start command?

Yes, you can start a program with specific options using the start command in Windows. Here is an example command:

start /D "C:\Program Files\Application" /MAX program.exe

How do I open a website URL in my default browser using the start command?

To open a website URL in your default browser with the start command in Windows, use this command:

start https://www.example.com

Is it possible to start a program minimized with the start command in Windows?

Yes, you can start a program minimized using the start command. Here is an example command:

start /MIN program.exe

How do I open a new command prompt window using the start command?

To open a new command prompt window with the start command in Windows, execute the following command:

start cmd

Can I run a batch script using the start command in Windows?

Yes, you can run a batch script using the start command. Here is an example command:

start script.bat

How can I list all available options for the start command in Windows?

To list all available options for the start command in Windows, you can use the help command. Execute the following command:

start /?

Applications of the START Command

Opening a file or program
Opening a website or URL
Running a batch script or command prompt command
Opening a specific folder or directory
Opening a Control Panel applet
Launching a program with specific parameters or options
Running multiple instances of a program