How to run a command on command prompt startup in Windows

If you want a defined set of commands to run every time you start a command prompt, the best way to achieve that would be to specify an init script in the AutoRun registry value. Create it like this (an expandable string value allows you to use environment variables like %USERPROFILE%):

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor" /v AutoRun ^
  /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d "%"USERPROFILE"%\init.cmd" /f

Then create a file init.cmd in your profile folder:

@echo off

command_A
command_B
...
cls

To remove these changes, delete the registry key:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor" /v AutoRun

  1. Make a shortcut
  2. Go to the properties
  3. The bit where it says: C:\Users\<Your username>\Desktop\cmd.exe, you put: -cmd /K <your command here>

e.g. C:\Users\Lewis\Desktop\cmd.exe -cmd /K color 1f

This is the way to launch 1 command without having to mess about with the registry.

Run multiple commands

You can also use & (and) operator to execute multiple commands.

Eg.

C:\Users\Lewis\Desktop\cmd.exe -cmd /K color 1f & H: & <your command>

Credits: user6589073