How to launch other programs from the Command Prompt

On Windows, if you need to launch another application while using the Command Prompt all you have to do is use the start command:

start /?
Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.

START ["title"] [/D path] [/I] [/MIN] [/MAX] [/SEPARATE | /SHARED]
      [/LOW | /NORMAL | /HIGH | /REALTIME | /ABOVENORMAL | /BELOWNORMAL]
      [/AFFINITY <hex affinity>] [/WAIT] [/B] [command/program]
      [parameters]

This is a great way of running scripts that close the prompt that started them, and also starting tasks that need to be monitored separately.

Windows 8 boot error after cloning HDD

Problem: After cloning a small HDD with a Windows 8 installation to a larger one, the system won't boot with the new HDD. When trying to run system restore with the Windows 8 installation media, there's an error saying the drive is locked.

Solution: Use Windows 7 or Windows Vista installation media to run system restore.

Source