Command Prompt cmd.exe keeps popping up on Startup

When you boot up your Windows PC, you may encounter a black pop up window with the title bar showing C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe. Eventually, the prompt goes away but you’ll notice slow computer performance as reported by affected users. In this post, we will offer the most suitable solutions you can try to stop the prompt from popping up on startup.

$C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe prompt keeps popping up on Startup$

The genuine cmd.exe file is a software component of the Windows 11/10 operating system. The cmd.exe runs the Command Prompt, a command-line interpreter for Windows OS.

Command Prompt cmd.exe keeps popping up on Startup

If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

Run antivirus scan
Run SFC scan
Disable cmd.exe from Startup items in Task Manager
Delete cmd.exe from Run folder in Registry Editor

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

1] Run antivirus scan

The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files, in some cases, maybe harmful to your computer. Therefore, you should determine whether the cmd.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.

The original cmd.exe is an important part of Windows and is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Although the correct path is shown on the title bar of the prompt, some malware disguises itself as cmd.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. In any case, it’s better safe than sorry, so we suggest you run a full system antivirus scan with Windows Defender or any reputable third-party AV product to rule out the possibility of a malware infection.

If the issue is still unresolved after the AV scan, you can try the next solution.

Read: PowerShell opens at Startup.

2] Run SFC scan

If you have system file errors, you may encounter this issue. In this case, you can run SFC scan and see if that helps.

Read: Taskeng.exe keeps popping up.

3] Disable cmd.exe from Startup items in Task Manager

It might be that the cmd.exe file is listed in the Startup section in Task Manager – this means that every time your computer boots, cmd.exe will automatically load along with all other items listed in that section. So, if you do not want an item from auto-loading at startup but it’s listed in the Startup section in Task Manager, you can simply disable the startup item there.

Read: Windows Installer keeps popping up or starting.

4] Delete cmd.exe from Run folder in Registry Editor

This is an alternative to disabling cmd.exe from Startup items in Task Manager. To delete cmd.exe from the Run folder in Registry Editor, do the following:

Since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry or create a system restore point as necessary precautionary measures. Once done, you can proceed as follows:

Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
In the Run dialog box, type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
Navigate or jump to the registry key path below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

At the location, on the right pane, see if cmd.exe is listed, if so right-click the entry and select Delete.
Next, navigate or jump to the registry key path below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

At the location, on the right pane, see if cmd.exe is listed, if so right-click the entry and select Delete.
Reboot your computer and see if the cmd.exe prompt appears again during startup.

That’s it!

Read:

Black window keeps popping up and disappearing in Windows 11

If a black window keeps flashing and disappearing in Windows 11, disable or uninstall any suspicious startup programs via the Task Manager Startup tab to stop the pop-ups. Next, check Task Scheduler for any background tasks (like Office or update scripts) that may trigger Command Prompt. You may also use Event Viewer to identify the exact process launching the window.

Read: Blank white window opens every time I log into Windows 11

Why does my CMD randomly pop up on startup?

If Command Prompt randomly pops up on startup, it’s likely due to a background application or script that requires it to function. This behavior is normal and usually not harmful. To identify the cause, check your startup programs and Task Scheduler for scripts or applications that might trigger it.

Read: Help window keep opening automatically.