windows run command

Part 1: How to use Run Commands

Click Win + R keyboard shortcuts to bring up Run dialog. (In Windows 10, you also can press Win + X and then select Run.) Then type one command and click OK or press Enter key so that you can quickly open the app.

Part 2: 20 most-used Run Commands for Windows 10 users

A Run Command is not simply the name of an app/program, Windows designs a great many specialized Run commands. Here we illustrate the twenty most commonly used.

1. control

This is a Run Command to quickly access Windows 10 Control Panel. However, some users are used to open the Control Panel by Start menu or Windows 10 Power user menu.

2. taskmgr

This is a Run Command to open Task Manager as quickly as by right-clicking on the blank area of Windows 10 taskbar.

3. cmd

There are more options to open Command Prompt in Windows 10, this command is just one of shortcuts.

4. netplwiz

The common User Account is in Windows Control Panel, while this command opens the advanced User Accounts window.

5. regedit

A power user may need to open Registry Editor to make changes to Windows registry. With this command, you can quickly access Registry Editor.

6. lusrmgr.msc

Running this command, you can open Local Users and Groups manager where you can edit properties of all your users and groups.

7. appwiz.cpl

This Run Command quickly opens the Programs and Features window where you can uninstall programs and apps in Windows 10.

8. desk.cpl

It's a shortcut allowing you to change your Windows screen resolution.

9. powercfg.cpl

Running this command will directly open the Power Options window which is buried in Control Panel.

10. main.cpl

This command can help you access Mouse Propertiesdialog where you can change settings of the mouse connected to your computer.

11. snippingtool

If you are wondering How to Take Screenshots on Microsoft Surface Tablet, this Run Command is just the shortcut to open Windows built-in Snipping Tool, with which you can not only take a screenshot but also edit the screenshot.

12. logoff

This Run Command is a less known quick way to sign out of Windows 10.

13. msconfig

This command opens System Configuration dialog where you can change some of the system settings in Windows.

14. diskmgmt.msc

This Run Command helps you open Windows 10 Disk Management where you can manage the hard disk partition on your computer.

15. chrome/firefox/iexplore

Running chrome or firefox command can launch Chrome or Firefox browser if it’s installed on your Windows 10, and the iexplore command can open Internet Explorer.

16. calc: Open Windows built-in calculator app for you.

17. compmgmt.msc: Open Computer Management window.

18. gpedit.msc: Open Local Group Policy Editor.

19. cleanmgr: Open Disk Cleanup utility.

20. sysdm.cpl: Opens System Properties window.

The above are 20 most commonly used Run Commands. Believe they can help Windows 10 users quickly open some most-used apps/programs/tasks. Certainly, they will also apply in the earlier Windows versions.

Just Press Windows key + r and let the fun begin
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Windows run commands are shortest ways to reach at any particular setting panel or open any useful applications. Although Microsoft has made taskbar search very much efficient in doing that, but you can not find each and everything via taskbar search. Also searching something in search box of taskbar and then clicking on the search result is one step longer as compared to opening it via run. Also, opening something via run box seems geeky and cool. For example very few people know that you can reach control panel directly by typing control in run box or you can directly open on screen keyboard by typing osk in run box. I have listed here all the important run commands in windows 10.

Useful Windows Tools

1. On screen Keyboard – osk
2. Calculator – calc
3. WordPad – write
4. Windows Media Player – wmplayer
5. Windows Fax and Scan – wfs
6. Snipping Tools – snippingtool
7. Paint – mspaint
8. Notepad – notepad
9. Task manager – taskmgr
10. Sticky Notes – stikynot
11. Math Input Panel – mip
12. Command Prompt – cmd
13. Powershell – powershell
14. Windows Journal  – journal
15. Narrator – narrator
16. Magnifier – magnify
17. Edge – microsoft-edge://
18. Internet Explorer – iexplore
19. Bluetooth – fsquirt
20. Windows Firewall – firewall.cpl
21. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security –  wf.msc
22. Windows Explorer – explorer
23. XPS Viewer – xpsrchvw

Specific utilities

1. Create Repair Disc – recdisc
2. Backup and Restore – sdclt
3. Remote Assistance – msra
4. To Open Recently Viewed files – recent
5. To Connect to a Projector – displayswitch
6. To add a New Device – devicepairingwizard
7. Open Ease of Access centre – utilman
8. User Account Control Settings – useraccountcontrolsettings
9. Windows Task scheduler – taskschd.msc
10. System Restore – rstrui
11. All System information – msinfo32
12. Network Connections – ncpa.cpl
13. System Configuration – msconfig
14. Disk Cleanup – cleanmgr
15. Disk Defragmenter – dfrgui
16. Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc
17. Malicious Software Removal Tool – mrt
18. Problem Steps Recorder  – psr
19. Internet Options – inetcpl.cpl
20. Device Manager – devmgmt.msc
21. Computer Management – compmgmt.msc
22. Shared Folders  – fsmgmt.msc
23. Create a shared folder wizard – shrpubw
24. Backup and restore user name and passwords – credwiz
25. Region and Language –  intl.cpl
26. Registry Editor –  regedit
27. Local Group Policy Editor – gpedit.msc
28. Indexing Options – rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL srchadmin.dll
29. Resource Monitor –  resmon
30. Sound settings – mmsys.cpl
31. Troubleshooting – control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting
32. User Accounts – control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts
33. Local Users and Groups – lusrmgr.msc
34. Advanced User Accounts – netplwiz
35. Time and Date – timedate.cpl
36. Screen Resolution –  desk.cpl
37. Color Management – colorcpl
38. Event Viewer – eventvwr.msc
39. Remote Desktop Connection –  mstsc
40. Services  – services.msc
41. Certificates – certmgr.msc
42. Mouse settings – main.cpl
43. Know current Windows version – winver
44. Local Security Policy – secpol.msc
45. Directly go to list of installed programs –  appwiz.cpl
46. Windows Update settings – control update
47. Administrative Tools – controladmintools
48. Scheduled Tasks – control schedtasks

Control Panel Run Commands

1. Control Panel – control
2. Personalization & Themes – controldesktop
3. Personalization & Color – controlcolor
4. File explorer properties & Folder Options – control folders
5. Keyboard Properties  – controlkeyboard
6. Mouse Properties – control mouse
7. Network Properties – control netconnections
8. Printers Properties – control printers
9. Manage current user Account – control userpasswords
10. Manager all User Accounts – control userpasswords2

Open Folder Commands

1. Open Documents Folder  – documents
2. Open Videos folder  – videos
3. Open Downloads Folder  – downloads
4. Open Favorites Folder –  favorites
5. Open Recent Folder  – recent
6. Open Pictures Folder  – pictures

System Run commands

1. System Configuration –  msconfig
2. System Configuration Editor  – sysedit
3. System Information –  msinfo32
4. System Properties  – sysdm.cpl
5. System Properties (Advanced Tab) – systempropertiesadvanced
6. System Properties (Computer Name Tab)  – systempropertiescomputername
7. System Properties (Hardware Tab)  – systempropertieshardware
8. System Properties (Remote Tab)  – systempropertiesremote
9. System Properties (System Protection Tab)  – systempropertiesprotection
10. System Restore –  rstrui

All other useful run Command shortcuts

1. Display Color Calibration – dccw
2. Display – dpiscaling
3. Display Switch – displayswitch
4. Driver Verifier Manager – verifier
5. File Signature Verification – sigverif
6. Game Controllers – joy.cpl
7. Getting Started – gettingstarted
8. iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool – iscsicpl
9. Language Pack Installer – lpksetup
10. Microsoft Management Console – mmc
11. Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool – msdt
12. Performance Monitor – perfmon.msc
13. Phone and Modem telephon – cpl
14. Phone Dialer –  dialer
15. WMI Management  – wmimgmt.msc
16. Windows Disc Image Burning Tool –  isoburn
17. Windows DVD Maker –  dvdmaker
18.