While using your Windows device, a Command Prompt (CMD) screen might randomly pop up and then quickly disappear. But then what causes this issue? How do you resolve the problem?

In most cases, the error is caused by the way you’ve configured your system settings. Sometimes, it’s caused by corrupted apps or faulty system files. Now, let’s check out how you can tackle this error.

1. Disable the CMD Startup Status on the Task Manager

If this issue occurs when you switch on your device, then the problem is likely on the Startup status settings. So, here are a few settings you could tweak to resolve the error:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Navigate to the Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the Command Prompt (CMD) option and select Disable. Finally, close the Task Manager and restart your device.
Disabling the PowerShell or CMD Startup Status on the Task Manager

2. Remove the Command Prompt Shortcut From the Startup Folder

Windows contains a folder named “Startup folder,” which contains the shortcuts and apps that run when you boot up your device.

So, if the CMD shortcut is within this folder, the Command Prompt will always run when you switch on your device.

Now, to tackle this problem, you could remove the CMD shortcut from the Startup folder as follows:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
  2. Type %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp and press Enter.
Removing the PowerShell or CMD Shortcut From the Startup Folder

Locate and delete the CMD shortcut from this folder.

3. Close Suspicious Programs and Restart the Windows Explorer

Sometimes, this error occurs when there’s a program that’s interfering with the Command Prompt’s functionality. To resolve the problem, start by closing any active windows that you aren’t using.

If the issue persists, restarting File Explorer might help you out. So, here are the steps for restarting the Windows File Explorer:

  1. Type Task Manager in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.
  2. Navigate to the Processes tab, right-click on the Windows Explorer option, and then select Restart.
Restarting the Windows File Explorer

If the issue persists, close File Explorer and then reopen the tool manually.

  1. To get started, open the Task Manager by following the previous steps.
  2. Right-click on the Windows Explorer option and select End task.
  3. Now, open File Explorer by clicking its taskbar icon. Alternatively, type File Explorer in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.

4. Run a Full Scan on Your Device

This error might be caused by some harmful software programs on your device. Now, the best solution in this instance is to run a full device scan.

Now, here are the steps for running a full scan on Windows:

  1. Press Win + I to open the System Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security from the options. Next, click the Windows Security option on the left.
  3. Now, select Virus & threat protection on the right-hand side pane.
  4. Next, click Scan options below the Quick scan button.
  5. From there, choose the Full scan option and then press the Scan now button. Follow the on-screen steps to finalize the process.
Scanning a PC with the Windows Security tool

If the Full scan option doesn’t help, try the Microsoft Defender Offline scan option. This tool should help remove malicious software programs that the Full scan can’t remove. To access this option, follow the previous steps and select the relevant option under the Scan options.

5. Configure Some Task Scheduler Settings

This issue is sometimes caused by the way you’ve configured the task scheduler settings. Now, to tackle the problem, you’d need to set the right task conditions in the Task Scheduler.

However, the solution we'll explore will only be useful if you've created a Command Prompt Task in the Task Scheduler.

So, let’s check out how you can tweak a few settings to tackle this issue:

  1. Type Task Scheduler in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.
  2. Select the Task Scheduler Library option on the left-hand side.
  3. Look for the Command Prompt Task in the middle pane. Next, right-click on the option and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the General tab and uncheck the Run whether the user is logged on or not box.
  5. Open the Configure for drop-down menu and select Windows 10. As an example, the screenshot below shows how you can configure these settings for the Adobe Acrobat PDF reader.
Using the Correct Task Conditions in the Task Scheduler

Now, navigate to the Conditions tab and uncheck the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box. From there, navigate to the Actions and Triggers tabs and ensure that all the task conditions are correct.

Finally, press OK, close the Task Scheduler, and then restart your device to save these changes.

6. Repair Microsoft’s Visual Programs

Just like most PC issues, this problem might be caused by corrupted Microsoft Visual C++ programs. Now, an easy way out is to either repair or replace these programs.

Let’s start by checking how you can repair these programs:

  1. Type Control Panel in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.
  2. Click the View by drop-down menu and select Small icons.
  3. Select Programs and Features from the Control Panel items.
  4. Now, right-click on one of the Microsoft Visual C++ programs and then select Change.
Reinstalling or Repairing the Microsoft Visual C++ Programs

Next, press the Repair button and follow the on-screen instructions. Repeat the same process for all the other Microsoft Visual C++ programs.

Alternatively, you can reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ programs through these steps:

  1. Open the Programs and Features window by following the previous steps.
  2. Right-click on each Microsoft Visual C++ program—one at a time—and click Uninstall.
  3. From there, reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ programs from the Microsoft Website.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your device.

7. Install Windows’ Latest Updates

Installing the latest Windows updates often helps tackle most system-related issues. So, this might also get rid of the Command Prompt issue.

Now, here are the steps for installing the latest Windows updates:

  1. Navigate to Win Start Menu > PC Settings > Update & Security.
  2. Select the Windows Update option on the left and then click the Check for updates button on the right. Follow the on-screen steps to finalize the process.
Checking for Windows PC updates

Command Prompt: A Reliable Tool for Automating and Managing PC Tasks

The Command Prompt is an incredible tool that you can always rely on. If you enter the correct commands, this tool can help you manage most PC tasks with ease.

However, it’s irritating when a Command Prompt window keeps popping up randomly. But then you should be able to tackle this issue if you apply some of the methods we’ve covered.