Regardless of the version of Windows, you are using, be it Windows 10 or an earlier version, Run Commands are used to access various aspects of your computer without navigating through the Control Panel or Menu options. If you want to tweak your system to make it more responsive and as good as new, you may find these commands useful.
When you know the corresponding Run command of a tool or task, it becomes invariably easy and quick to access any tool or task. Run Command for Windows users can quickly open almost any application/program or task in Windows system. To reduce the difficulty of navigating through hundreds of thousands of options available in Windows 10, Microsoft offers a quick option using Run command box to open Windows programs and get things done.
Also Read: How to Fix “Print Spooler Service Not Running” Error in Windows 10
How to use Run Commands
Press (Win + R) keys together to bring up the Run dialog box. You can also press (Win + X) and then press ‘R’ to open the Run dialog box. Here you need to type a command and press ‘Enter’ key OR click ‘OK’ to quickly open the application.
Useful Run Commands for Tweaking Windows
| prefetch | Opens Windows Prefetch folder |
| temp | Opens Windows temporary folder |
| %temp% | Opens user’s temporary folder |
| Command | Opens the command prompt |
| Compmgmt.msc | Opens the computer management console |
| Devmgmt.msc | Opens the device manager |
| Dfrg.msc | Opens Windows’ disk defragmenter |
| Diskmgmt.msc | Opens the disk management tool |
| Eventvwr.msc | Opens the event viewer |
| Fsmgmt.msc | Opens shared folders |
| Gpedit.msc | Opens the group policy editor |
| Lusrmgr.msc | Opens the local users and groups |
| Mailto: | Opens the default email client |
| Msconfig | Opens the system configuration utility |
| Msinfo32 | Opens the system information utility |
| Perfmon.msc | Opens the performance monitor |
| Regedit | Opens the registry editor |
| Rsop.msc | Opens resultant set of policy |
| Secpol.msc | Opens local security settings |
| Services.msc | Opens services utility |
| Sysedit | Opens system configuration editor |
| System.ini | Windows loading information |
| Win.ini | Windows loading information |
| Winver | Shows current version of Windows |
Control Panel Access Run Commands
We can use the following run commands to access various parts of the Control Panel directly.
| Appwiz.cpl | Add/Remove Programs |
| Timedate.cpl | Date/Time Properties |
| Desk.cpl | Display Properties |
| Fonts | Fonts Folder |
| Inetcpl.cpl | Internet Properties |
| Main.cpl keyboard | Keyboard Properties |
| Main.cpl | Mouse Properties |
| Mmsys.cpl | Multimedia Properties |
| Netcpl.cpl | Network Properties |
| Password.cpl | Password Properties |
| Printers | Printers Folder |
| Mmsys.cpl sounds | Sound Properties |
| Sysdm.cpl | System Properties |
Most useful Run Commands to access multiple applications, options and properties of windows system.
You may also use the ‘Search Bar’ as an alternative for Run dialogue box.
| Command | Opens |
| winver | About Windows |
| devicepairingwizard | Add a Device |
| hdwwiz | Add Hardware Wizard |
| control admintools | Administrative Tools |
| systempropertiesadvanced | Advanced System Settings |
| Netplwiz | Advanced User Accounts Control Panel |
| control userpasswords2 | Advanced User Control Panel |
| control | All Control Panel Items |
| %AppData% | App Data |
| azman.msc | Authorization Manager |
| control color | Personalization Settings |
| control desktop | Personalization Settings |
| fsquirt | Bluetooth File Transfer |
| bootim | Boot Options |
| c: | C Drive |
| calc | Calculator |
| certmgr.msc | Certificate Manager |
| sysdm.cpl | Change Computer Settings |
| systempropertiescomputername | Change Computer Settings |
| systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention | Change Data Execution Prevention Settings |
| printui | Change Printing Settings |
| charmap | Character Map |
| chkdsk | Check Disk |
| cttune | ClearType Text tuner |
| cliconfg | Client Configuration Utility |
| colorcpl | Color Management |
| cmd | Command Prompt |
| %CommonProgramFiles% | Common Files |
| comp | Compare Files Command |
| comexp.msc | Component Services |
| compmgmt.msc | Computer Management |
| CompMgmtLauncher | Computer Management |
| mmc | Console Root |
| wab | Contacts |
| timedate.cpl | Date and time |
| debug | Debug Folder |
| computerdefaults | Default Apps |
| defrag | Defrag Command |
| devmgmt.msc | Device Manager |
| hdwwiz.cpl | Device Manager |
| control printers | Devices and Printers |
| msdt | Diagnostics Troubleshooting Wizard |
| tabcal | Digital Calibration Tool |
| dxdiag | DirectX Diagnostic Tool |
| cleanmgr | Disk Cleanup |
| diskmgmt.msc | Disk Management |
| diskpart | Diskpart Command |
| dccw | Display Color Calibration |
| desk.cpl | Display Settings |
| dpiscaling | Display Settings |
| drwatson | Dr. Watson |
| verifier | Driver Verifier Manager |
| control access.cpl | Ease of Access Center |
| edit | Edit Command |
| eventvwr | Event Viewer |
| excel | Excel |
| Excel /safe | Excel in Safe Mode |
| nslookup | Execute NSLOOKUP Command |
| fxscover | Fax Cover Page Editor |
| rekeywiz | File Encryption |
| explorer | File Explorer |
| control folders | File Explorer Options |
| filehistory | File History |
| sigverif | File Signature Verification |
| firefox | Firefox |
| flashplayerapp | Flash Player Settings Manager |
| control fonts | Fonts |
| fonts | Fonts Folder |
| ftp | FTP Command |
| joy.cpl | Game Controllers |
| control appwiz.cpl,,1 | Get Programs |
| systempropertieshardware | Hardware Settings |
| %HomeDrive% | Home Drive |
| %HomePath% | Home Path |
| iexpress | Iexpress Wizard |
| wabmig | Import to Windows Contacts |
| irprops.cpl | Infrared |
| iexplore | Internet Explorer |
| inetcpl.cpl | Internet Properties |
| javaws | Java Web Start |
| control keyboard | Keyboard Properties |
| main.cpl keyboard | Keyboard Properties |
| lpksetup | Language Pack Installer |
| gpedit.msc | Local Group Policy Editor |
| secpol.msc | Local Security Policy Editor |
| lusrmgr.msc | Local Users and Groups |
| telephon.cpl | Location Information |
| logoff | Log out of computer |
| magnify | Magnifier |
| TpmInit | Manage TPM Security Hardware |
| mip | Math Input Panel |
| msaccess | Microsoft Access |
| iscsicpl | Microsoft iSCSC Initiator Configurator Tool |
| Outlook | Microsoft Outlook |
| Outlook /safe | Microsoft Outlook Safe Mode |
| mspaint | Microsoft Paint |
| powerpnt | Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Powerpoint /safe | Microsoft PowerPoint Safe Mode |
| regsvr32 | Microsoft Registry Server |
| recdisc | Microsoft Windows Repair Disc |
| control mouse | Mouse Properties |
| main.cpl | Mouse Properties |
| narrator | Narrator Settings |
| utilman | Narrator Settings |
| control netconnections | Network Connections |
| ncpa.cpl | Network Connections |
| %LogonServer% | Network Server Path |
| notepad | Notepad |
| odbcconf | ODBC configuration |
| odbcad32 | ODBC Data Source Administrator |
| osk | On-Screen Keyboard |
| mailto: | Open Default Mail Application |
| Website address | Open entered URL in default browser |
| shell:recyclebinfolder | Open Recycle Bin |
| dfrgui | Optimize Drives |
| pbrush | Paint |
| tabletpc.cpl | Pen and Touch Settings |
| perfmon | Performance Monitor |
| systempropertiesperformance | Performance Options |
| dialer | Phone Dialer |
| dvdplay | Play DVD |
| powercfg.cpl | Power Options |
| presentationsettings | Presentation Settings |
| printmanagement.msc | Print Management |
| printbrmui | Printer Migration |
| eudcedit | Private Character Editor |
| %AllUsersProfile% | Program Data |
| %ProgramFiles% | Program Files |
| appwiz.cpl | Programs and Features |
| displayswitch | Project Menu |
| dpapimig | Protected Content Migration |
| recoverydrive | Recovery Media Creator |
| intl.cpl | Region Settings |
| regedit | Registry Editor |
| mstsc | Remote Desktop Connection |
| perfmon /res | Resource and Performance Monitor |
| rsop.msc | Resultant Set of Policy |
| wiaacmgr | Scanner |
| wscui.cpl | Security and Maintenance |
| services.msc | Services |
| control appwiz.cpl,,3 | Set Program Access and Computer Defaults |
| shrpubw | Share Creation Wizard |
| fsmgmt.msc | Shared Folders |
| shutdown | Shutdown Computer |
| snippingtool | Snipping Tool |
| tabtip | Soft Keyboard |
| mmsys.cpl | Sound |
| psr | Steps Recorder |
| credwiz | Stored User Names and Password Wizard |
| mobsync | Sync Center |
| msconfig | System Configuration Utility |
| %SystemDrive% | System Drive |
| msinfo32 | System Information |
| systempropertiesprotection | System Protection Settings |
| systempropertiesremote | System Remote Settings |
| systemreset | System Reset for Windows |
| %SystemRoot% | System root |
| launchtm | Task Manager |
| taskmgr | Task Manager |
| control schedtasks | Task Scheduler |
| taskschd.msc | Task Scheduler |
| control.exe /name Microsoft.TaskbarandStartMenu | Taskbar Settings |
| %Temp% | Temporary Folder |
| control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting | Troubleshoot Settings |
| tpm.msc | Trusted Platform Module Management |
| useraccountcontrolsettings | User Account Control |
| control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts | User Accounts |
| %UserProfile% | User Profile |
| netstat | View Active Connections in Command Prompt |
| sndvol | Volume Mixer |
| slui | Windows Activation |
| sdclt | Windows Backup |
| firewall.cpl | Windows Defender Firewall |
| wf.msc | Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security |
| %WinDir% | Windows Directory |
| isoburn | Windows Disk Image Burner Usage |
| migwiz | Windows Easy Transfer |
| wfs | Windows Fax and Scan |
| control appwiz.cpl,,2 | Windows Features |
| optionalfeatures | Windows Features |
| fontview | Windows Font Viewer |
| winhlp32 | Windows Help (not supported in Windows 10) |
| wmimgmt.msc | Windows Management Instrumentation |
| wbemtest | Windows Management Instrumentation Tester |
| wmplayer | Windows Media Player |
| mdsched | Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool |
| mblctr | Windows Mobility Center |
| powershell | Windows PowerShell |
| powershell_ise | Windows PowerShell ISE |
| msra | Windows Remote Assistance |
| wsreset | Windows Reset |
| wscript | Windows Script Host Settings |
| rstrui | Windows System Restore |
| wusa | Windows Update Standalone Installer |
| winword | Word |
| Word /safe | Word Safe Mode |
| wordpad | WordPad |
| write | WordPad |
| xpsrchvw | XPS Viewer |
| \ | Open C Drive |
| Dfrg.msc | Opens Windows Disk Defragmenter |
If we missed out on any useful command or you are facing challenges while using any of these Run Commands, Do let us know! We’d surely come up with a solution or an alternative to perform the specific task.
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