Is there a way to get Powershell to inherit the cmd prompt

cmd.exepowershellwindowswindows 7

In the cmd shell, it is possible to set (and save) the prompt using the PROMPT command et al. However, when you go into Powershell from cmd, it reverts to the default windows prompt – usually the current directory.

Is there a way to force Powershell to use the current windows prompt?

Best Answer

Got this working thanks to the very useful comments. Just in case someone else hits the same issue:

$profile

Yields the location of where the Powershell profile exists (or would exist). If it doesn't exist, the following command would create it:

new-item -itemtype file -path $profile -force

In here, we can just write a prompt function. I generally set mine to the current user so:

function prompt {"PS: $(echo 'RobbieDee')>"}

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PowerShell – Configure to Display Only Current Folder Name

You have to customize the prompt function in your PowerShell profile (%userprofile%\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1); it may be blank or even not exist if you have never modified it before.

Open your profile (e.g., open the aforementioned file or while in PowerShell, Notepad $profile)

Add the following to your profile:

function prompt {
  $p = Split-Path -leaf -path (Get-Location)
  "$p> "
}

Save the profile
Restart PowerShell

Optional. If you get a message that says you are not allowed to run scripts, then you need to copy/paste this line in PowerShell:
```
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
```
and restart.

Windows PowerShell execution policies let you determine the conditions under which Windows PowerShell loads configuration files and runs scripts.

You can set an execution policy for the local computer, for the current user, or for a particular session. You can also use a Group Policy setting to set execution policy for computers and users.

Source: Microsoft Documentation

Windows – How start PowerShell from cmd by specific path

Try this:

powershell -NoExit -Command "Set-Location c:\\"

If your path contains spaces, you can wrap it in single-quotes, like so:

powershell -NoExit -Command "Set-Location 'c:\\program files'"

Best Answer

Related Solutions

PowerShell – Configure to Display Only Current Folder Name

Windows – How start PowerShell from cmd by specific path

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