The Ultimate Windows Run Commands List & Tricks

What is the easiest and fastest way to run or open something in Windows? Of course using the Run command. If you know Windows Run Commands for things you use frequently, you don’t have to navigate through menus and search for it: Imagine how much time it it would save you! Using Run commands is the fastest way to open programs, files, folders and websites too.

How to Use a Run Command?

There are multiple ways you can use Windows Run commands.
1. Yo can simply press Windows+R key and type the command.
2. In Windows 8 it’s even easier, you have to only press Windows key to see the Start Screen and start typing. In fact in modern Windows, Run is replaced by Start Screen which serves as a multi-purpose tool.
3. You can also use a Run command in Command Prompt window.
4. You can also create a shortcut file for a command by right clicking in a folder or desktop and choose New -> Shortcut. (I noticed that this doesn’t work for some commands)
5. You can also press Windows+X to see Windows Power User menu and choose ‘Run’. (for Windows 8.1)

Twin Article: The Most Useful Windows Commands You Must Know

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How to Create Your Own Run Command

A Run command is simply the name of the file used to execute a program. You can easily create your own Windows Run commands.
1. Create a shortcut of the program, file, folder or even any website link you want to create a Run command for.
2. Rename the shortcut to the command name you want to give.
3. Copy or move that shortcut to Windows folder. You can directly open Windows folder by running command %Windir%. Now you can easily access the shortcut you created from anywhere!

The Ultimate Windows Run Commands List

Here is the list of useful Windows Run commands which will make your life much easier. Please note that some of the commands may not work on your system depending on if a program is installed on your system, e.g. winword, powerpnt, mshearts, etc.

Accessibility Controls	access.cpl
Accessibility Wizard	accwiz
Add Features to Windows 8	windowsanytimeupgradeui
Add Hardware Wizard	hdwwiz
Add/Remove Programs	appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools	control admintools
Advanced User Accounts	netplwiz or control userpasswords2
Authorization Manager	azman
Automatic Updates	wuaucpl.cpl
Backup and Restore	sdclt
Bluetooth File Transfer	fsquirt
Buy a Product Key Online	purchasewindowslicense
Calculator	calc
Certificate Manager	certmgr.msc
Certificates	certmgr or certlm
Change Printer Settings	printui
Character Map	charmap
Check Disk Utility	chkdsk
ClearType Tuner	cttune
Clipboard Viewer	clipbrd
Color Management	colorcpl
Command Prompt	cmd
Component Services	dcomcnfg or comexp
Computer Management	compmgmt.msc or CompMgmtLauncher
Connect to a Network Projector	netproj
Control Panel	control
Create A Shared Folder Wizard	shrpubw
Create a System Repair Disc	recdisc
Credential Backup and Restore Wizard (Manage stored User Names and passwords)	credwiz
Data Execution Prevention	systempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
Date and Time Properties	timedate.cpl
DDE Shares	ddeshare
Device Manager	devmgmt.msc or hdwwiz.cpl
Device Pairing Wizard (Add a Device)	devicepairingwizard
Digitizer Calibration Tool	tabcal
Direct X Control Panel (if installed)*	directx.cpl
DirectAcesss Properties	daprop
DirectX Diagnostic Tool/Troubleshooter	dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility	cleanmgr
Disk Defragment	dfrg.msc
Disk Defragmenter	dfrgui
Disk Management	diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager	diskpart
Display	dpiscaling
Display Color Calibration	dccw
Display Properties	control desktop or desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)	control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility	drwtsn32
Driver Package Installer	dpinst
Driver Verifier Utility	verifier
Ease of Access Center	utilman
EFS REKEY Wizard	rekeywiz
Encrypting File System Wizard	rekeywiz
Event Viewer	eventvwr or eventvwr.msc
Fax Cover Page Editor	fxscover
File History	filehistory
File Signature Verification Tool	sigverif
Files and Settings Transfer Tool	migwiz
Findfast	findfast.cpl
Flash Player Settings Manager	flashplayerapp
Folders Properties	folders
Font Viewer	fontview
Fonts	control fonts
Fonts Folder	fonts
Free Cell Card Game	freecell
Game Controllers	joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor	gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game	mshearts
Help and Support	helpctr
HyperTerminal	hypertrm
IExpress Wizard	iexpress
Indexing Service	ciadv.msc
Install or Uninstall Display Languages	lusrmgr
Internet Connection Wizard	icwconn
Internet Explorer	iexplore
Internet Properties	inetcpl.cpl
Internet Setup Wizard	inetwiz
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)	ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)	ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)	ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)	ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)	ipconfig /setclassid
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)	ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)	ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)	ipconfig /renew
iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool	iscsicpl
Java Control Panel (if installed)	javaws
Keyboard Properties	control keyboard
Language Pack Installer	lpksetup
Local Group Policy Editor	gpedit
Local Security Policy	secpol
Local Security Settings	secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups	lusrmgr.msc
Location Activity	locationnotifications
Logs You Out Of Windows	logoff
Magnifier	magnify
Make changes to your user account	control userpasswords
Malicious Software Removal Tool	mrt
Manage Your File Encryption Certificates	rekeywiz
Math Input Panel	mip
Microsoft Access (if installed)	msaccess
Microsoft Chat	winchat
Microsoft Excel (if installed)	excel
Microsoft Management Console	mmc
Microsoft Movie Maker	moviemk
Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed)	powerpnt
Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool	msdt
Microsoft Syncronization Tool	mobsync
Microsoft Word (if installed)	winword
Minesweeper Game	winmine
Mouse Properties	control mouse or main.cpl
NAP Client Configuration	napclcfg
Narrator	narrator
Netmeeting	conf
Network Connections	control netconnections or ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard	netsetup.cpl
New Scan Wizard (Windows Picture Acquisition Wizard)	wiaacmgr
Notepad	notepad
Object Packager	packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator	odbcad32 or odbccp32.cpl
ODBC Driver Configuration	odbcconf
On-Screen Keyboard	osk
Outlook Express	msimn
Paint	mspaint or pbrush
Password Properties	password.cpl
Performance Monitor	perfmon or perfmon.msc
Performance Options	systempropertiesperformance
Phone and Modem Options	telephon.cpl
Phone Dialer	dialer
Pinball Game	pinball
Power Configuration	powercfg.cpl
Presentation Settings	presentationsettings
Print Management	printmanagement
Printer Migration	printbrmui
Printers and Faxes	control printers
Printers Folder	printers
Private Character Editor	eudcedit
Programs and Features	appwiz.cpl
Protected Content (DPAPI Key) Migration	dpapimig
Recovery Drive	recoverydrive
Refresh Your PC	systemreset
Regional Settings	intl.cpl
Registry Editor	regedit or regedt32
Remote Access Phonebook	rasphone
Remote Desktop Connection	mstsc
Removable Storage	ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests	ntmsoprq.msc
Resource Monitor	resmon or perfmon /res
Resultant Set of Policy	rsop
Resultant Set of Policy	rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras	sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks	control schedtasks
Security Center	wscui.cpl
Services	services.msc or services
Set Program Access and Computer Defaults	computerdefaults
Shared Folders	fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows	shutdown
Snipping Tool	snippingtool
Sound Recorder	soundrecorder
Sound Volume/Mixer	sndvol
Sounds and Audio	mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game	spider
SQL Client Configuration	cliconfg
Steps Recorder	psr
Sticky Notes	stikynot
Switch Display (Connect to a Projector)	displayswitch
System Configuration Editor	sysedit
System Configuration Utility	msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)	sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Return Scan Setting To Default)	sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)	sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)	sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At The Next Boot)	sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Sets Cache Size to size x)	sfc /cachesize=x
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 or launchtm
Task Scheduler	taskschd
TCP Tester	tcptest
Telnet Client	telnet
Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel	tabtip
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management	tpm
User Account Control Settings	useraccountcontrolsettings
User Account Management	nusrmgr.cpl
Windows Activation Client	slui
Windows Anytime Upgrade Results	windowsanytimeupgraderesults
Windows Contacts/Address Book	wab
Windows Contacts/Address Book Import Utility	wabmig
Windows Disc Image Burning Tool	isoburn
Windows Explorer	explorer
Windows Fax and Scan	wfs
Windows Features	optionalfeatures
Windows Firewall	firewall.cpl
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security	wf
Windows Help and Support	winhlp32
Windows Journal	journal
Windows Management Infrastructure	wmimgmt.msc
Windows Media Player	dvdplay or wmplayer
Windows Memory Diagnostic Scheduler	mdsched
Windows Messenger	msmsgs
Windows Mobility Center	mblctr
Windows Picture Import Wizard (need camera connected)	wiaacmgr
Windows PowerShell	powershell
Windows PowerShell ISE	powershell_ise
Windows Remote Assistance	msra
Windows Script Host	wscript
Windows SmartScreen	smartscreensettings
Windows Store Cach Clear	wsreset
Windows System Security Tool (Securing the Windows Account Database)	syskey
Windows Update	wuapp
Windows Update Launches	wupdmgr
Windows Update Standalone Installer	wusa
Windows Version Information	winver
WMI Management	wmimgmt
WMI Tester	wbemtest
Wordpad	write
XPS Viewer	xpsrchvw

Shell Commands

Shell commands provide access to Windows special folders. You can find list and settings for all Shell folders in Windows Registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\FolderDescriptions (In Windows XP, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders).

Internet Explorer
Cookies	shell:Cookies
Cookies\Low	shell:Cookies\Low
Favorites	shell:Favorites
Internet Explorer – 32-bit	shell:InternetFolder
Temporary Internet Files	shell:Cache
Library
Libraries	shell:Libraries
Libraries	shell:UsersLibrariesFolder
Libraries – Documents	shell:documentsLibrary
Libraries – Music	shell:MusicLibrary
Libraries – Pictures	shell:PicturesLibrary
Libraries – Videos	shell:VideosLibrary
Public Libraries	Shell:PublicLibraries
Multimedia
Music	shell:My Music
Music (all users)	shell:CommonMusic
Pictures	shell:My Pictures
Pictures (all users)	shell:CommonPictures
Sample Music	shell:SampleMusic
Sample Pictures	shell:SamplePictures
Sample Videos	shell:SampleVideos
Videos	shell:My Video
Videos (all users)	shell:CommonVideo
System
Administrative Tools	shell:Administrative Tools
Administrative Tools (all users)	shell:Common Administrative Tools
All User profiles folder	shell:UserProfiles
Computer	shell:MyComputerFolder
Control Pane – Network Connections	shell:ConnectionsFolder
Control Panel	shell:ControlPanelFolder
Control Panel – Get Programs	shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
Control Panel – Programs and Features	shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
Desktop (all users)	shell:Common Desktop
Device Metadata Store	shell:device Metadata Store
Documents (all users)	shell:Common Documents
Downloads (all users)	shell:CommonDownloads
Fonts	shell:Fonts
GameExplorer	shell:PublicGameTasks
Games	shell:Games
Homegroup	Shell:HomeGroupFolder
Installed Updates	shell:AppUpdatesFolder
Network	shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
Printers	shell:PrintersFolder
Program Files	shell:ProgramFilesX64
Program Files (x86)	shell:ProgramFilesX86
Program Files (x86) – Common Files	shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
Program Files – Common Files	shell:ProgramFilesCommon
Program Files – Common Files	shell:ProgramFilesCommonX64
Program Files folder	shell:ProgramFiles
ProgramData (all users)	shell:Common AppData
Public folder	shell:Public
Public Suggested Locations	shell:PublicSuggestedLocations
Recycle Bin	shell:RecycleBinFolder
Resources	shell:ResourceDir
Ringtones (all users)	shell:CommonRingtones
search-ms:	shell:SearchHomeFolder
Start Menu (all users)	shell:Common Start Menu
Start Menu – Programs (all users)	shell:Common Programs
Startup (all users)	shell:Common Startup
System32 or System Folder	shell:System
SysWOW64	shell:SystemX86
Templates (all users)	shell:Common Templates
Windows folder	shell:Windows
Windows Sidebar – Gadgets	shell:Gadgets
Windows Sidebar – Gadgets	shell:default Gadgets
User
App Data – LocalLow	shell:LocalAppDataLow
AppData – Local	shell:Local AppData
AppData – Roaming	shell:AppData
AppData – Roaming – Credentials	shell:CredentialManager
Contacts	shell:Contacts
Current User folder	shell:Profile
Current User folder	shell:UsersFilesFolder
Desktop	shell:desktop
Documents	shell:Personal
Downloads	shell:downloads
Internet Explorer – Quick Launch	shell:Quick Launch
Internet Explorer – User Pinned	shell:User Pinned
Links	shell:Links
Microsoft Crypto	shell:CryptoKeys
Network Shortcuts	shell:NetHood
Protect	shell:dpapiKeys
Recent items	shell:Recent
Ringtones	shell:Ringtones
Saved Games	shell:SavedGames
Searches	shell:Searches
SendTo locations	shell:SendTo
Start Menu	shell:Start Menu
Start Menu Programs	shell:Programs
Startmenu – Startup items	shell:Startup
SystemCertificates	shell:SystemCertificates
Templates	shell:Templates
Temporary Disk Burning Folder	shell:CD Burning
Windows Game Explorer	shell:GameTasks
Windows History	shell:History
Windows Printer Shortcuts	shell:PrintHood
Windows Sync
Sync Center	shell:SyncCenterFolder
Sync Center – Conflicts	shell:ConflictFolder
Sync Center – Sync Results	shell:SyncResultsFolder
Sync Center – Sync Setup	shell:SyncSetupFolder

Note:
Commands in Magenta color work only in Command Prompt.