Question: How do I change default startup directory for command prompt in Windows 7?

I usually do the following to start command prompt from C:\

```

  WIN-R (Run Prompt)
  cmd /K cd C:\

```

I want to do the following to start command prompt from C:\

```

  WIN-R (Run Prompt)
  cmd

```

Answer: 
Make a shortcut pointing to cmd.exe somwhere (e.g. desktop) then right-click on the copy and select "properties". Navigate to the "Shortcut" menu and change the "Start in:" directory.
Keep the opening of the command prompt clean. Avoid editing the registry key and adding an Autorun, it may come back to bite you.  

Create a simple batch file and save it in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. I call mine !.bat (exclamation mark). It has the following commands:

@echo off
c:
cd \
cls
whoami

It goes to the folder where I need to work, clears the screen and tells me what security context I'm in.