How to open a second PowerShell console window from start screen?

Question

I pressed Win and typed in "PowerShell". However, since there's already a PS console window open, the computer switched the focus to it, instead of, as I intended, open a new one.

How can I open a new instance of a PowerShell console window? Preferably from Start menu. For pedagogic reasons, I need it to be big and blue so starting PS from command prompt won't do in this case. :)

STTR · Answer 1 · 2015-02-07T12:01:15.577

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Run at powershell:

start powershell

May use Start-Process or saps alias.

edited Feb 07 '15 at 12:01

answered Feb 07 '15 at 11:55

STTR

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What do you mean by "Run at powershell"? Typing it in in an already-open PowerShell window and pressing Enter? – Peter Mortensen May 21 '17 at 09:02
I think the OP means run that command **IN** PowerShell - that worked for me, running `start powershell` from the command line. – Blundering Philosopher Jun 13 '18 at 17:00

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 07 '15 at 11:57

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You can middle click on the already opened Windows Powershell on Windows toolbar below (It will open an new instance of that program) or you can also type powershell in start menu, but instead of hitting enter, you just right click on Windows Powershell and choose Open in new window

answered Feb 07 '15 at 11:57

kv1dr

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IIRC you can also middle-click start screen/menu entries. – Daniel B Feb 07 '15 at 16:04
It doesn't work for me on windows 8 – kv1dr Feb 07 '15 at 16:06
Hitting middle mouse only opens the start screen on my computer. Perhaps a Win8 thingy? The other suggestion worked, though, as described. – Konrad Viltersten Feb 07 '15 at 18:45
@Konrad Viltersten: probably – kv1dr Feb 07 '15 at 18:47
Tried it again—middle-click definitely works. But then again, I have Windows 8.1. If you don’t, upgrade ASAP. On the task bar it works starting from Windows 7, by the way. – Daniel B Feb 08 '15 at 02:01

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 07 '15 at 15:44

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After typing PowerShell into search, hold Shift while pressing Enter to open a new instance.

answered Feb 07 '15 at 15:44

Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007

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eric f · Answer 4 · 2015-09-28T15:01:42.907

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Win + R - keyboard shortcut to open run.

Then type powershell. Press enter.

Edit: Windows 10

edited Sep 28 '15 at 15:01

answered Mar 19 '15 at 20:23

eric f

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This doesn't start a new instance if it's already running – Ramhound Mar 19 '15 at 20:26
I have 4 powershell windows open after using this method 4 times. Unless each window is a window onto the same instance, I have 4 separate instances running. `TaskManager` shows 4 separate powershell instances as well. – eric f Mar 19 '15 at 20:29

How to open a second PowerShell console window from start screen?

4 Answers4