In many public places like schools and libraries, the system administrators disable CMD.EXE but forget about the older version, COMMAND.COM. When trying to access CMD.EXE, if you are displayed with the following message:

then you know it is disabled for your user level.
To get a COMMAND.COM prompt up, open Notepad.exe and type in “command.com” without the quotes. Next, save it as a batch file via the “.bat” extention. So save it as “anything.bat” . Now once you double click this file, you should get a functional command prompt if it isn’t disabled.
April 21, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Why not using DOS Box Portable edition?
April 21, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Because this already exists on the computer
June 8, 2009 at 2:34 pm
On my school they’ve blocked all .bat files… So this wón’t work either here… xD
If you have any new ideas how to get to cmd (on a school where we can’t use Search, can’t open .exe and .bat files, and can’t get into the c:/) please let me know
Greetz,
Triton
June 11, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Triton,
This may work for you, it works for somethings on my school computer. Simply just create a shortcut, Put the shortcut to command.com. Its so simple that people just forget, or don’t even bother trying to block it. Good Luck, let me know if it works.
cipher928@aol.com
June 13, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Triton i think your school is using Windows Steadystate like mine
If .bat don work try .cmd
January 19, 2010 at 8:51 am
Well, as you said since its available on those pcs, but the method you told wont work even on our college computers……
April 17, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@Triton
After you have logged into you school computer, you will get the loading screen because the school is hosted on a server. So when the logging in screen appires remove you internet cable, and insert again when the computer has loaded. If this does not work, i recomend a program called BartPE, this will allow you to boot into a command prompt.
Ryan
November 14, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I just entered COMMAND in the run dialog box and voila! It worked, very easy huh? Thanks. I get command prompt before on the same system by opening the windows folder, navigating to the system32 folder and locating the cmd.exe file itself. I right click on the file and select “run as..” from the drop down to show a dialog. Uncheck “protect my computer and data from unauthorized program activity” then click Open and you should see command prompt.
But I have a question….though I haven’t tried it as at the time of writing this. I once encountered a Cafe Client program that denies access to the windows folder and all its sub-directories including files as well. Anytime you try anything that needs to open a file from he windows folder, i brings up a dialog notifying you that you cannot try that. How do I overcome this? Thanks.