20 Run Commands Every Windows User

Should Know

Vamsi Krishna 2nd Mar 2015 Windows 11 Comments

Windows hosts a wide range of tools which can be used to do all sorts of things and most
them are easily accessible through the Control Panel. An alternative way to access these
tools and tasks is through the good old Run command. In fact, if you know the
corresponding Run command of a tool or task, it would be the quickest way to access the
said utility. Even though the usage of the Run command is drastically reduced due to the
introduction of the search box in the start menu, the Run command is still a power user
option. So if you ever need them, here is a good list of Run commands to help you be more
productive.
Note: in case you dont know, press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog
box, and enter any of the below commands to access the respective tool.

List of Run Commands

1. \ This is one of the lesser known Run commands. Just enter the backslash into the
Run dialog box and it will open up the C drive. It is one of the quickest ways to access the
C drive.
2. . This is yet another lesser known Run command. When executed, it opens the
current users home folder which hosts all the other local folders like the Downloads,
Documents, Desktop, Pictures, etc.
3. .. When you execute these two dots in the Run dialog box, it will open up the Users
folder which is located directly in the C drive.

4. calc If you want to quickly open the built-in Windows calculator app, typing calc in
the Run dialog box is the easiest way to do it.
5. cmd Even Windows users have to deal with the command line sometimes. With this
command, you can quickly open the command prompt without administrator privileges.

6. powershell If the command prompt is too old for you, then you may want to try
PowerShell. Just type this command in the Run dialog box, and you will have your
PowerShell opened without administrator privileges.
7. netplwiz The general user accounts option is available through the Control Panel, but
if you want to mess with the advanced user account options then use this command to open
the Advanced User Accounts window. If you want to deal with the Authorization Manager,
then use the Run command azman.msc.

8. gpedit.msc Group Policy Editor in Windows allows you to set and edit different
Windows policies of a local or remote computer. Since Group Policy Editor is an advanced
tool, it is buried deep inside Windows, and this Run command is the easiest way to access
it.
9. lusrmgr.msc Using this command, you can open the Local Users and Groups Manager
where you can edit several properties of all the users and groups.

10. mrt Every month Windows releases a newer version of Microsoft Windows
Malicious Software Removal Tool through the Windows Update. This free tool helps you in
cleaning some of the most popular malicious software from your Windows computer. This
tool runs silently in the background but if you want to run it manually then use this Run
command.

11. ncpa.cpl Being an Internet user means that you have to deal with occasional (if not
daily) network problems, and one way to troubleshoot your network connection is by
accessing your Network Adapters. To access all your Network Adapters, you can use this
Run command.
12. perfmon.msc If you want to monitor the performance of your Windows computer and
effects of the programs you run, running Performance Monitor will provide ample data.
You can access the Performance Monitor using this command.

13. powercfg.cpl Windows hosts a wide range of power options to deal with your
computers power usage, and you can access all those Power Options using this command.

14. appwiz.cpl Using this command you can quickly access the Programs and Features
window where you can quickly uninstall your installed programs.
15. devmgmt.msc Windows Device Manager is where you can manage all your hardware
devices, and you can use this Run command to quickly access it. Alternatively, you can also
use the command hdwwiz.cpl.
16. regedit Regedit Run command can be used to access the Windows Registry which is
a hierarchical database that hosts all the configurations and settings of an operating system
and the installed programs.
17. msconfig Windows System Configuration is where you can edit different things like
the boot options, startup options, services, etc. You can use this Run command to access the
System Configuration window.

18. sysdm.cpl If you ever want to access the System Properties window, then using this
Run command opens it right up.

19. firewall.cpl If you want to manage or configure your Windows firewall, then you can
use this Run command to quickly access the Firewall window.
20. wuapp Last but not least, you can use this command to check, manage and configure
all your Windows update settings.
As you can see, the Windows Run command is one of the best utilities you can find in
Windows. Besides the commands shared above from the top of my head, there are many
other commands to access different parts of Windows. So if you think that I missed any of
your favorite Run commands, do share them in the comments below.
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11 comments

1.
Sean
I cant understand why services.msc to open the Windows Service Control manager
and taskmgr.exe to get to the task manager are not included and high up on the list.
Mar 2, 2015 at 9:53 pm Reply

1.
asdad
just press Ctrl Shift Esc.
Nov 9, 2015 at 7:57 am Reply

2.
Sean
Actually I also forgot regedit and regedt32 to get to the registry.
Mar 2, 2015 at 9:55 pm Reply

3.
Peter
I would add MSTSC for remote desktop connections, maybe not too common
with home users.
Mar 3, 2015 at 7:26 am Reply

1.
Tiara Masters
Sweet!!!
Mar 4, 2015 at 10:12 am Reply

4.
SeniorRookie68
regedit is in the list not the 32.
Mar 3, 2015 at 8:35 am Reply

5.
Geoff
What about Doskey once in a command prompt allows you to repeat previously
entered items during that Command prompt session, handy if you are repeating a
number of things .
Mar 3, 2015 at 9:23 am Reply

6.
Tiara Masters
Sweet list and great comments. This is why I love this site
Mar 4, 2015 at 9:49 am Reply

7.
Matt
msinfo32 is also a good one to use for comprehensive system info
Apr 17, 2015 at 8:28 am Reply

8.
Hellen David
Hey here is practice about A General Run Command Usually Use In Windows
Operating System, you can refer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIgcfRnnM0U
Aug 29, 2015 at 9:06 pm Reply

9.
Gnanasudheer
Tnk u so much
Dec 30, 2015 at 9:32 pm Reply

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Complete List of Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts and Run Commands

Andre Da Costa | August 24, 2015 in How-To

Everyone loves a quick way to get things done in Windows. If a mouse tends to slow you
down, then here is a comprehensive list of keyboard commands you can use to accomplish
almost any task you would normally use a mouse for.
Function

Command

Power menu

press Windows key + X or right click Start

Windows + Tab

Launch Windows 10 Task View

Windows + Q

Search the web and Windows with Cortana (speech)

Windows + S

Search the web and Windows with Cortana (keyboard input)

Windows + I

Open Windows 10 settings

Windows + A

Open Windows 10 notifications

Windows + L

Lock your Windows 10 device

Windows + Ctrl + D

Create new virtual desktop

Windows + Ctrl + F4

Close current virtual desktop

Windows + Ctrl + [Left]

[Right]

Switch between virtual desktops

Windows + [Left][Right][Up] Position windows on your screenE.g. Windows + [Left] moves the
[Down]
current window to the left half of your screen. If you use Windows
+ [Up] afterwards, the current window will be placed in the upper
left quarter of your screen.And, whats very handy in my opinion:
If you release the Windows key after positioning a window, Task
View shows up on the opposite side of the positioned window to
select and position another app.

Windows + H

Share content (if supported by current app)

Windows + K

Connect to wireless displays and audio devices

Windows + X

Open Start button context menu

Windows key + G

Starts App recording

Windows + D

Show Windows desktop

Windows + E

Open File Explorer

Windows + Space

Switch keyboard input language (if you have added at least a

second one)

Windows + Shift + [Left]

[Right]

Move current Window from one monitor to another (when using a

multiple monitor setup)

Windows + [1][2][3][]

Open programs that are pinned to task barE.g. if first pinned

program on your task bar is Windows Explorer (from left to right),
the shortcut Windows + 1 opens Windows Explorer for you.

Windows + R

Run a command

Windows + P

Project a screen

Alt + Tab

Switch to previous window

Alt + Space

Restore, move, size, minimize, maximize or close current window.

Also works like a charm for Windows 10 modern apps.

Alt + F4

a) Close current windowb) If youre on your Windows 10 desktop,

open Power dialogue to shut down or restart Windows, put your
device in sleep mode, sign out or switch the current user

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC

Open Task Manager

Alt + underlined menu

Open menu or program. Example, to open the Edit menu in

WordPad, press Alt then press E on your keyboard. Repeat the
same step for the menu you want to open.

General Windows keyboard shortcuts

Function

Command

Access help system in an application

F1

Activate menu bar

F10

Close a program

Alt + F4

Close current window in Multiple Document

interface based programs

CTRL + F4

Access right click menu in application

Shift + F10

Launch Start menu

Ctrl + ESC or Windows key

Cut

CTRL + X

Copy

CTRL + C

Paste

CTRL + V

Delete

DEL

Undo

CTRL + Z

System Properties

Windows key + Pause/Break

Bypass auto-play when an external storage

device is connected

Hold down SHIFT key while inserting storage

device.

Desktop, My Computer and File Explorer

For selected items, you can use the following shortcuts:

Function

Command

Search

CTRL + F or F3

Rename an item

F2

Delete an folder or files permanently

SHIFT + DEL

Access properties of a file or folder

ALT + ENTER or ALT + double-click

Copy a file

CTRL key while dragging file

Create a shortcut

CTRL + SHIFT while dragging file

Select All

CTRL + A

Refresh contents of window

F5

View the folder one level up

Backspace key

Close the selected folder and its parent folders SHIFT key while clicking the close button
Switch between left and right panes

F6

File Explorer commands

Function

Command

Switch between left and right panes

F6

Expand all subfolders under the selected

folder

NUMLOCK + ASTERISK when using a numeric

keyboard

Expand the selected folder

NUMLOCK + PLUS sign when using a numeric

keyboard

Collapse the selected folder

NUMLOCK + MINUS sign when using a numeric

keyboard

Expand current selection if its collapsed,

otherwise select first subfolder

Right arrow

Collapse current selection if its expanaded,

otherwise select parent folder

Left arrow

Properties dialog commands

Function

Command

Move forward throught options

Tab key

Move backward through options

SHIFT + Tab

Move forward through tabs

CTRL + Tab

Move backward through tabs

CTRL + SHIFT + TAB

Open and Save dialog commands

Function

Command

Open the Save In and address bar

CTRL + O and F4

Refresh

F5

Open the folder one level up, if a folder is

BACKSPACE

selected
Windows 10 Command Prompt keyboard commands

Text Selection
Function

Command

SHIFT + LEFT ARROW

Moves the cursor to the left one character, extending the

selection.

SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW

Moves the cursor to the right one character, extending the

selection.

SHIFT + UP ARROW

Selects text up line by line starting from the location of the

insertion point.

SHIFT + DOWN ARROW

Extends text selection down one line, starting at the

location of the insertion point.

SHIFT + END

If cursor is in current line being edited* First time extends

selection to the last character in the input line.* Second
consecutive press extends selection to the right
margin.ElseSelects text from the insertion point to the
right margin.

SHIFT + HOME

If cursor is in current line being edited* First time extends

selection to the character immediately after the command
prompt.* Second consecutive press extends selection to
the left margin.ElseExtends selection to the left margin.

SHIFT + PAGE DOWN

Extends selection down one screen.

SHIFT + PAGE UP

Extends selection up one screen.

CTRL + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW

Extends the selection one word to the right.

CTRL + SHIFT + LEFT ARROW

Extends the selection one word to the left.

CTRL + SHIFT + HOME

Extend selection to the beginning of the screen buffer.

CTRL + SHIFT + END

Extend selection to the end of the screen buffer.

CTRL + A

If cursor is in current line being edited (from first typed

char to last type char) and line is not empty and any
selection cursor is also within the line being editedSelects
all text after the prompt. (phase 1)ElseSelects the entire

buffer. (phase 2)
Edit commands
Function

Command

CTRL + V

Paste text into the command line.

SHIFT + INS

Paste text into the command line.

CTRL + C

Copy selected text to the clipboard.

CTRL + INS

Copy selected text to the clipboard.

Function

Command

CTRL + M

Enter Mark Mode to move cursor within window.

ALT

In conjunction with one of the selection key combinations,

begins selection in block mode.

ARROW KEYS

Move cursor in the direction specified.

PAGE KEYS

Move cursor by one page in the direction specified.

CTRL + HOME

Move cursor to beginning of buffer.

CTRL + END

Move cursor to end of buffer.

History navigation keys

Function

Command

CTRL + UP ARROW

Moves up one line in the output history.

CTRL + DOWN ARROW

Moves down one line in the output history.

CTRL + PAGE UP

Moves up one page in the output history.

CTRL + PAGE DOWN

Moves down one page in the output history.

Additional commands
Function

Command

CTRL + F

Opens Find in console dialog.

ALT + F4

Close the console window, of course!

Keyboard Run Commands

Use the following to access locations such as Control Panel items, File Explorer shell
folders quickly using the run command.
Opens

Press Windows + R and type:

Open Documents Folder

documents

Open Videos folder

videos

Open Downloads Folder

downloads

Open Favorites Folder

favorites

Open Recent Folder

recent

Open Pictures Folder

pictures

Adding a new Device

devicepairingwizard

About Windows dialog

winver

Add Hardware Wizard

hdwwiz

Advanced User Accounts

netplwiz

Advanced User Accounts

azman.msc

Backup and Restore

sdclt

Bluetooth File Transfer

fsquirt

Calculator

calc

Certificates

certmgr.msc

Change Computer Performance Settings

systempropertiesperformance

Change Data Execution Prevention

Settings

systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention

Change Data Execution Prevention

Settings

printui

Character Map

charmap

ClearType Tuner

cttune

Color Management

colorcpl

Command Prompt

cmd

Component Services

comexp.msc

Component Services

dcomcnfg

Computer Management

compmgmt.msc

Computer Management

compmgmtlauncher

Connect to a Projector

displayswitch

Control Panel

control

Create A Shared Folder Wizard

shrpubw

Create a System Repair Disc

recdisc

Data Execution Prevention

systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention

Date and Time

timedate.cpl

Default Location

locationnotifications

Device Manager

devmgmt.msc

Device Manager

hdwwiz.cpl

Device Pairing Wizard

devicepairingwizard

Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard

msdt

Digitizer Calibration Tool

tabcal

DirectX Diagnostic Tool

dxdiag

Disk Cleanup

cleanmgr

Disk Defragmenter

dfrgui

Disk Management

diskmgmt.msc

Display

dpiscaling

Display Color Calibration

dccw

Display Switch

displayswitch

DPAPI Key Migration Wizard

dpapimig

Driver Verifier Manager

verifier

Ease of Access Center

utilman

EFS Wizard

rekeywiz

Event Viewer

eventvwr.msc

Fax Cover Page Editor

fxscover

File Signature Verification

sigverif

Font Viewer

fontview

Game Controllers

joy.cpl

IExpress Wizard

iexpress

Internet Explorer

iexplore

Internet Options

inetcpl.cpl

iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool

iscsicpl

Language Pack Installer

lpksetup

Local Group Policy Editor

gpedit.msc

Local Security Policy

secpol.msc

Local Users and Groups

lusrmgr.msc

Location Activity

locationnotifications

Magnifier

magnify

Malicious Software Removal Tool

mrt

Manage Your File Encryption Certificates

rekeywiz

Microsoft Management Console

mmc

Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool

msdt

Mouse

main.cpl

NAP Client Configuration

napclcfg.msc

Narrator

narrator

Network Connections

ncpa.cpl

New Scan Wizard

wiaacmgr

Notepad

notepad

ODBC Data Source Administrator

odbcad32

ODBC Driver Configuration

odbcconf

On-Screen Keyboard

osk

Paint

mspaint

Pen and Touch

tabletpc.cpl

People Near Me

collab.cpl

Performance Monitor

perfmon.msc

Performance Options

systempropertiesperformance

Phone and Modem

telephon.cpl

Phone Dialer

dialer

Power Options

powercfg.cpl

Presentation Settings

presentationsettings

Print Management

printmanagement.msc

Printer Migration

printbrmui

Printer User Interface

printui

Private Character Editor

eudcedit

Problem Steps Recorder

psr

Programs and Features

appwiz.cpl

Protected Content Migration

dpapimig

Region and Language

intl.cpl

Registry Editor

regedit

Registry Editor 32

regedt32

Remote Access Phonebook

rasphone

Remote Desktop Connection

mstsc

Resource Monitor

resmon

Resultant Set of Policy

rsop.msc

SAM Lock Tool

syskey

Screen Resolution

desk.cpl

Securing the Windows Account Database

syskey

Services

services.msc

Set Program Access and Computer

Defaults

computerdefaults

Share Creation Wizard

shrpubw

Shared Folders

fsmgmt.msc

Signout

logoff

Snipping Tool

snippingtool

Sound

mmsys.cpl

Sound recorder

soundrecorder

SQL Server Client Network Utility

cliconfg

Sticky Notes

stikynot

Stored User Names and Passwords

credwiz

Sync Center

mobsync

System Configuration

msconfig

System Configuration Editor

sysedit

System Information

msinfo32

System Properties

sysdm.cpl

System Properties (Advanced Tab)

systempropertiesadvanced

System Properties (Computer Name Tab)

systempropertiescomputername

System Properties (Hardware Tab)

systempropertieshardware

System Properties (Remote Tab)

systempropertiesremote

System Properties (System Protection Tab) systempropertiesprotection

System Restore

rstrui

Task Manager

taskmgr

Task Scheduler

taskschd.msc

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Management

tpm.msc

Turn Windows features on or off

optionalfeatures

User Account Control Settings

useraccountcontrolsettings

Utility Manager

utilman

Volume Mixer

sndvol

Windows Action Center

wscui.cpl

Windows Activation Client

slui

Windows Anytime Upgrade Results

windowsanytimeupgraderesults

Windows Disc Image Burning Tool

isoburn

Windows Explorer

explorer

Windows Fax and Scan

wfs

Windows Firewall

firewall.cpl

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

wf.msc

Windows Journal

journal

Windows Media Player

wmplayer

Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler

mdsched

Windows Mobility Center

mblctr

Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard

wiaacmgr

Windows PowerShell

powershell

Windows PowerShell ISE

powershell_ise

Windows Remote Assistance

msra

Windows Repair Disc

recdisc

Windows Script Host

wscript

Windows Update

wuapp

Windows Update Standalone Installer

wusa

Versione Windows

winver

WMI Management

wmimgmt.msc

WordPad

write

XPS Viewer

xpsrchvw

The name and terminology used for certain commands and functions have been revised in
Windows 10, along with their locations. The following table provides how you can find and
access them.
Original Name

New Name, location and Functions

Windows Explorer

File Explorer (Press Windows key + E to launch)

Favorites
Quick Access
Navigation Pane
(Windows Explorer)
Folder options

Options (Files Explorer > View tab > Options)

Recent Items

Located in File Explorer > This PC > Recent Files

Computer or My
Computer

This PC

Control Panel

Settings (classic Control Panel can still be accessed

Windows key + X then click Control Panel)

View Available
Networks

Network Flyout Notification or Show Available Networks

(Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Additional
settings.

Action Center

Located in the
System Tray. Manage incoming email, system, social media
notifications.
Start menu

Start

Task View

Create and Manage

multiple desktops
Aero Snap

Snap Assist easily manage open windows on screen.

All Programs

All Apps

Shutdown/Turn off
computer

Power

Switch Users

Located at the top of the Start represented by your

account name

Theres a lot here to remember, so make sure to bookmark this page so you can keep
coming back to refresh your memory or lean new shortcuts you havent used before.
Are you a Keyboard Kung Fu practitioner? What are your favorite key combos that you
use? Leave a comment below and let us know.