Change default directory for Windows command prompt and Powershell when running with admin privileges

 Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted things.

Here is my previous post where the non-admin user changes the default directory for the command prompt and PowerShell.

https://psrdotcom.blogspot.com/2022/03/change-default-directory-of-windows.html

But in this post, I will be explaining about running the command prompt / powershell with admin rights and setting the default directory. Because, when you are running with admin privileges, it by default goes to the SYSTEM32 folder of Windows.

Environment

I use the command prompt and PowerShell, which are pinned to the taskbar of Windows.

Run the application with the admin rights

• Right-click on the application icon -> click on Properties
• Go to the "Compatibility" tab
• Check "Run this program as administrator"

Run the shortcut with the admin rights

• Right-click on the shortcut icon -> click on Properties
• Go to the "Shortcut" tab
• Click on the "Advanced" button
• Check "Run this program as administrator"

Change the command prompt default directory

• We need to have a .bat file with the following content
• @echo off
• cd <default_directory>

Now use the .bat file in the shortcut properties

• Right-click on the shortcut icon -> click on Properties
• Go to the "Shortcut" tab
• In the "Target" field append the below text
• /k "batfile_dirpath\batfile.bat"

Change the PowerShell default directory

• Right-click on the shortcut icon -> click on Properties
• Go to the "Shortcut" tab
• In the "Target" field append the below context after powershell.exe

• -NoExit -command "& {Set-Location <default_directory>}"

• Click on "OK"

Hope, this helps you to reduce the frequent directory changes in the command prompt and PowerShell.

Feel free to provide your valuable feedback and comments to psrdotcom@gmail.com