Top Windows 10 Run Commands: by Mark W. Kaelin

TOP WINDOWS 10
RUN COMMANDS
BY MARK W. KAELIN
COPYRIGHT ©2020 CBS INTERACTIVE INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

TOP WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS
WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS YOU

SHOULD KNOW (BUT PROBABLY
FORGOT)
If you know the right keyboard shortcut and the right commands, the Windows 10 run command
can be a powerful tool. We explore 12 run commands everyone should know.
In the right hands, the Windows 10
run command can be a powerful tool.
With a simple keyboard shortcut and
a few keystrokes, windows users can
quickly reach their destination deep
in the operating system’s labyrinth
of configuration screens. The key is
learning, knowing, and remembering
common run commands.
This how-to tutorial lists 12 common

Windows 10 run commands that all
windows users should know and be
able to use when required. IMAGE: ISTOCKPHOTO/IJEAB
12 COMMON WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

First things first, the most efficient way to call up the Run command dialog box is to use this keyboard shortcut
combination: Windows key + R.
It is common for modern PC keyboards to have a key in the bottom row next to the Left-Alt key marked with
the Windows logo—that is the Windows key.
You can also open the Run command by right-clicking the Start Menu button, and selecting the Run command
from the item list. But that is less efficient and defeats the purpose of quick navigation in Windows 10.
2
When you open the Run command, you will be presented with a simple entry box (Figure A). You will enter
your commands into the box, and press Enter or click OK to execute them.
Figure A
Note: The quotation marks are for emphasis only—they are not part of the command itself and should not be
included in the command box.
1. Open the Windows 10 drive (“\”)

Unless you have changed the default configuration, running File Explorer from the Taskbar will display the
contents of the Quick Access library. The presumption is that this is where your documents, photos, and other
files can be most easily found, but sometimes you just want to open File Explorer in the main hard drive root
folder (typically C:).
Use the “\” command—no quotes.
3
2. Open the Home folder of the current user (“.”)

Continuing with the theme of better controlling File Explorer, typing a single period (“.”) into the command
box will directly access the Home folder of the current user (Figure B).
Figure B
3. Open the Users folder (“..”)

A variation of the previous run command, typing two periods (“..”) will open File Explorer in the Users folder,
giving quick access to all the user’s files and folders, providing you have the proper credentials. This is a good
command for performing system administrative tasks.
4
4. Open Control Panel (“control”)

In an effort to simplify the interface, Windows 10 has placed many of the common configuration settings into
an area known as Settings, which can be found as an entry in the Start Menu. While this is fine for many config-
uration settings, there are times when you have to load the full Windows 10 Control Panel folder (Figure C).
On those occasions, type “control” into the Run command box.
Figure C
5. Open System Configuration (“msconfig”)

The Microsoft Configuration app is a holdover from previous versions of the Windows operating system, but
it is still useful for Windows 10. Typing “msconfig” will open an app that grants you access to boot variations
and allows you to block or stop certain services and applications from starting during the boot sequence.
5
6. Open Programs and Features (“appwiz.cpl”)

Drilling even further into the realm of the Control Panel, there are times when you would like to uninstall an
application. This process is accomplished with the Programs and Features screen, which is a sub-section of the
Control Panel. However, you can get there fastest by typing “appwiz.cpl” in the Run command box.
7. Open Disk Cleanup utility (“cleanmgr”)

Another holdover from previous versions of Windows is the Disk Cleanup utility. Most disk cleanup processes
in Windows 10 are handled automatically behind the scenes, but there are occasions where you may want to
perform disk cleanup manually. Type “cleanmgr” to reach the Disk Cleanup dialog box (Figure D).
Figure D
6
8. Open Resource Monitor (“resmon”)

A utility app that most Windows users ignore—but really shouldn’t—is the Windows 10 Resource Monitor. If
your PC starts lagging, or the hard drive seems to be spinning up without cause, run the command “resmon,”
and troubleshoot the problem.
9. Open common Microsoft apps (“calc”, “notepad”, “mspaint”, etc.)

Another good use for the run command is to start basic Microsoft applications that you may not use every day
and don’t want on your desktop or taskbar but that you still use from time to time. For example, the Calculator
app. Open the Run command box, and type “calc” to start it.
10. Adjust your mouse settings (“main.cpl”)

One of the first things you may find you need to adjust on a new Windows 10 PC are the mouse settings. A
mouse cursor that is too small or moves too slowly across the screen can be frustrating. The fastest way to get
to the mouse settings is to open the Run command, and type “main.cpl” into the box.
11. Open Remote Desktop (“mstsc”)

A modern workforce is a mobile workforce, which means many of us have to access our workstation PCs
remotely using the Windows 10 Remote Desktop app (Figure E). The fastest way to open the app is to open
the Run command, and type “mstsc” into the box.
Figure E
7
12. Access System Information (“msinfo32”)

While troubleshooting problems with help desks, it is not uncommon for the technician to ask for detailed
system information. Rather than clicking through several different screens, use the keyboard shortcut Windows
key + R, type “msinfo32” into the box, and press Enter.
BONUS TIP FOR THE RUN COMMAND

As you try these various run commands, you will notice that previous commands will be remembered by the
system. You can scroll through previously used commands by moving up and down the list with the arrow
keys—yet another way to decrease mouse clicks and increase the efficiency of the Windows 10 interface.
8
MORE WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

YOU SHOULD KNOW (BUT PROBABLY
FORGOT)
TechRepublic readers have spoken: The Windows 10 run command can truly be a powerful tool.
This tutorial explores 12 more common Windows 10 run commands.
In a previous TechRepublic article,
we discussed the power and the
usefulness of the Windows 10 run
command. That list of 12 common
run commands seemed to strike a
nerve with the community as dozens
of knowledgeable readers offered
suggestions and tips regarding their
favorite uses of the Windows 10 run
command.
Obviously, in the right hands, the

Windows 10 run command can truly
be a powerful tool. It’s with that simple
truth in mind that we offer this how-to IMAGE: PEPGOONER, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
tutorial of 12 more common Windows

10 run commands.
12 MORE WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

Remember, the most efficient way to call up the run command dialog box is to use this keyboard shortcut
combination: Windows key + R. You can also reach the run command by right-clicking the Start Menu button
and then selecting the run command from the item list—it’s just much less efficient.
(Note, the quotation marks in each example are for emphasis only—they are not part of the command itself and should not be
included in the command box.)
9
1. Open the command prompt (“cmd”)

This particular run command was mentioned by readers the most after our first article. If you are old school
and know your DOS commands, “cmd” will open up the prompt you are looking for.
2. Open the Registry Editor (“regedit”)

The Registry Editor app is familiar to readers who have tried some of TechRepublic’s many tweaks to the
Windows 10 Registry file over the years.
3. Open Local Users and Groups Manager (“lusrmgr.msc”)

Accessing the Local Users and Groups Manager will let you get into the finer user details. This tool is particu-
larly useful for IT admins managing user passwords, etc.
Figure A
10
4. Access Windows Services (“services.msc”)

The number of application services running at any one time in Microsoft Windows 10 can be staggering. The
best way to find out what services are running and to determine whether those services are needed is through
the Windows Services configuration screen.
5. Open the Computer Management app (“compmgmt.msc”)

The Windows 10 Computer Management application grants access to a plethora of operating system configu-
rations and settings. This is another tool most commonly used by IT admins, but it can be useful to just about
anyone, depending on the situation.
Figure B
11
6. Open PowerShell console (“powershell”)

PowerShell is the built-in Windows 10 scripting language, which can be very powerful when programmed
correctly. In many ways PowerShell supersedes the command prompt (“cmd”) mentioned earlier, but both run
commands still have their place.
7. Open the Group Policy Editor (“gpedit.msc”)

If you have Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise and you want to make tweaks to configuration settings like you do
with the Registry Editor, you might want to use the Group Policy Editor instead.
Figure C
12
8. Access network adapters configuration screen (“ncpa.cpl”)

For those of us who rely on wireless technology for connecting to enterprise networks and the internet, it
sometimes imperative that we make adjustments to our wireless network adapters. Using the common run
command “ncpa.cpl” will get you there in an instant, saving a number of mouse clicks.
9. Open the Windows 10 Device Manager (“devmgmt.msc”)

Exploring the Device Manager for problem drivers is one of the most underused troubleshooting techniques
available in Windows 10. The “devmgmt.msc” run command will expose problems and give you quick access
to settings that remedy the situation.
10. Open the Malicious Software Removal tool (“mrt”)

Under normal operations, the Malicious Software Removal tool runs automatically in the background as part
of the Windows 10 Update procedures. But you can run it manually by using the “mrt” run command.
Figure D
13
11. Perform a search with a web browser (“browser name “? search term””)
If you open the run command and type the name of a web browser (Chrome, Microsoft-Edge, Firefox, etc.)
you will load the default tab configuration of that browser. However, if you pass a properly formed search
query to that browser you will see search results from the default search engine. For example:
chrome “? techrepublic”
will reveal results relating to the TechRepublic website. Note, in this case those quotes are required.
12. Search YouTube (“browser name “youtube.com/results?search_query=SEARCH””)

Similarly, to the previous command you may perform other website specific searches—you just have to know
how to properly form the query. For example, YouTube searches look like this:
chrome “youtube.com/results?search_query=techrepublic”
This query will display results from the TechRepublic YouTube channel. Again, in this case, the quotes are
required. Theoretically, this sort of query will work with any website, if you know the correct syntax.
EXERCISE CAUTION
Accessing some of these configuration applications and settings screens requires a certain amount of restraint
and caution. Making configuration changes that you are not sure about could adversely impact or even break
your Windows 10 PC. Just because the run command gives you quick access to those configuration screens
does not mean you can make changes haphazardly. As a wise man once said, “With great power comes great
responsibility.”
14
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Mary Weilage DISCLAIMER
Senior Writer The information contained herein has been obtained

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disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness,
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have no liability for errors, omissions, or inadequacies in
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Staff Reporter
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and its logo are trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. ZDNet and its logo are
Cover image trademarks of CBS Interactive Inc. All other product names or services
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their respective companies.

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TOP WINDOWS 10

COPYRIGHT ©2020 CBS INTERACTIVE INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS YOU

This how-to tutorial lists 12 common

12 COMMON WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

1. Open the Windows 10 drive (“\”)

Use the “\” command—no quotes.

2. Open the Home folder of the current user (“.”)

3. Open the Users folder (“..”)

4. Open Control Panel (“control”)

5. Open System Configuration (“msconfig”)

6. Open Programs and Features (“appwiz.cpl”)

7. Open Disk Cleanup utility (“cleanmgr”)

8. Open Resource Monitor (“resmon”)

9. Open common Microsoft apps (“calc”, “notepad”, “mspaint”, etc.)

10. Adjust your mouse settings (“main.cpl”)

11. Open Remote Desktop (“mstsc”)

12. Access System Information (“msinfo32”)

BONUS TIP FOR THE RUN COMMAND

MORE WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

Obviously, in the right hands, the

tutorial of 12 more common Windows

12 MORE WINDOWS 10 RUN COMMANDS

1. Open the command prompt (“cmd”)

2. Open the Registry Editor (“regedit”)

3. Open Local Users and Groups Manager (“lusrmgr.msc”)

4. Access Windows Services (“services.msc”)

5. Open the Computer Management app (“compmgmt.msc”)

6. Open PowerShell console (“powershell”)

7. Open the Group Policy Editor (“gpedit.msc”)

8. Access network adapters configuration screen (“ncpa.cpl”)

9. Open the Windows 10 Device Manager (“devmgmt.msc”)

10. Open the Malicious Software Removal tool (“mrt”)

12. Search YouTube (“browser name “youtube.com/results?search_query=SEARCH””)

Senior Writer The information contained herein has been obtained

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