Question: How can I open a cmd window in a specific location without having to navigate all the way to the directory I want?

Answer: 
This answer is for windows 10.

Create a command prompt shortcut in the folder wherever you want, then right click on that shortcut 
[![type your target in start in field](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1bcj5.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1bcj5.png)

and 

[![Here you go](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wKNKx.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wKNKx.png)
You can also do this:

```
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd]
@="command prompt here"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command]
@="cmd.exe /c start \"%1\" cmd.exe /k cd /d %1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd]
@="command prompt here"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd\command]
@="cmd.exe /c start \"%1\" cmd.exe /k cd /d %1"

```

Update: for Win10 you need `ShowBasedOnVelocityId` - see answer above.