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If you like to use shortcuts to get tasks done in the most efficient way, there is a large collection of commands you can run from the run dialog (XP/Vista/7/8) or the Start Menu (in Windows Vista/7/8.) In this guide, I’ll show you how to run the commands and what effect they have.
Where to Run Commands
Note: see below for an even quicker method for Windows Vista/7/8.
To run the commands, listed below, in Windows XP (can also be used in Windows Vista/7/8):
1. Click the Start button and click Run (or press Winkey+R):
2. Type the command in the Run dialog and click OK (or press Enter.)
To run the commands, listed below, in Windows Vista/7/8, you can also use the Start Menu search function:
Press the Start button (or press the Winkey), type the command, and press Enter.
If the command fails, use steps 1 & 2 above.
Environment Variables
Environment variables can be used to open common folders in Windows. You can even append strings to the end of an environment variable to go directly to a folder i.e. %UserProfile%\Music
| Command | Launches |
| %ALLUSERSPROFlLE% | Open the All User’s Profile |
| %HomeDrive% | Opens your home drive e.g. C:\ |
| %UserProfile% | Opens your user profile |
| %temp% | Opens the temporary file folder |
| %systemroot% | Opens the Windows folder |
Commands to Run
Most of the commands, listed below, will work; however, some commands such as QuickTime.cpl (requires Quick Time) or gpedit.msc (requires Business, Professional, or Ultimate Windows versions) may not run depending on installed components, Windows versions, Windows editions etc.
| Command | Launches | XP | Vista/7/8 |
| access.cpl | Accessibility Controls |  |
|
| hdwwiz.cpl | Add Hardware Wizard | |
|
| hdwwiz.cpl | Device Manager | |
|
| appwiz.cpl | Add/ Remove Programs | |
|
| control admintools | Administrative Tools | |
|
| wuaucpl.cpl | Automatic Updates | |
|
| fsquirt | Bluetooth Transfer wizard | |
|
| calc | Calculator | |
|
| certmgr.msc | Certificate Manager | |
|
| charmap | Character Map | |
|
| chkdsk | Check Disk Utility | |
|
| clipbrd | Clipboard Viewer | |
|
| cmd | Command Prompt | |
|
| dcomcnfg | Component Services | |
|
| compmgmt.msc | Computer Management | |
|
| control panel | Control Panel | |
|
| timedate.cpl | Date and Time Properties | |
|
| ddeshare | DDE Share | |
|
| devmgmt.msc | Device Manager | |
|
| directx.cpl | Direct X Control Panel | |
|
| dxdiag | Direct X Troubleshooter | |
|
| cleanmgr | Disk Cleanup Utility | |
|
| dfrg.msc | Disk Defragment | |
|
| diskmgmt.msc | Disk Management | |
|
| diskpart | Disk Partition Manager | |
|
| control desktop | Display Properties / Personalization | |
|
| desk.cpl | Screen Resolution | |
|
| control color | Window Color and Appearance | |
|
| dn /vtsn32 | Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility | |
|
| verifier | Driver Verifier Utility | |
|
| eventvwr.msc | Event Viewer | |
|
| sigverif | File Signature Verification Tool | |
|
| findfast.cpl | Findfast | |
|
| control folders | Folders Properties | |
|
| fonts OR control fonts |
Fonts Folder | |
|
| freecell | Free Cell Card Game | |
|
| joy.cpl | Game Controllers | |
|
| gpedit.msc | Group Policy Editor (Select editions) | |
|
| mshearts | Hearts Card Game | |
|
| iexpress | Iexpress wizard | |
|
| ciadv.msc | Indexing Service | |
|
| inetcpl.cpl | Internet Properties | |
|
| Iexplore | Internet Explorer | |
|
| javaws | Java Control Panel (lf lnstalled) | |
|
| toy.cpl | Joystick Properties | |
|
| main.cpl keyboard OR control keyboard |
Keyboard Properties | |
|
| secpol.msc | Local Security Settings (Select versions) | |
|
| lusrmgr.msc | Local Users and Groups (Select versions) | |
|
| logoff | Logs You Out Of Windows | |
|
| winchat | Microsoft Chat | |
|
| winmine | Minesweeper Game | |
|
| main.cpl OR control mouse |
Mouse Properties | |
|
| netsetup.cpl | Network Setup Wizard | |
|
| notepad | Notepad | |
|
| nvtuicpl.cpl | Nview Desktop Manager(If installed) | |
|
| packager | Object Packager | |
|
| odbccp32.cpl | ODBC Data Source Administrator | |
|
| osk | On Screen Keyboard | |
|
| ac3filter.cpl | OpensAC3 Filter(If installed) | |
|
| password.cpl | Password Properties | |
|
| perfmon | Performance Monitor | |
|
| telephon.cpl | Phone and Modem Options | |
|
| powercfg.cpl | Power Management | |
|
| control printers | Printers and Faxes | |
|
| printers | Printers Folder | |
|
| eudcedit | Private Character Editor | |
|
| QuickTime.cpl | Quicktime Preferences (lf installed) | |
|
| intl.cpl | Regional Settings | |
|
| regedit | Registry Editor | |
|
| regedit32 | Registry Editor | |
|
| mstsc | Remote Desktop | |
|
| ntmsmgr.msc | Removable Storage | |
|
| ntmsoprq.msc | Removable Storage Operator Requests | |
|
| rsop.msc | Resultant Set of Policy (Select versions) | |
|
| sticpl.cpl | Scanners and Cameras | |
|
| control schedtasks | Scheduled Tasks | |
|
| wscui.cpl | Security Center | |
|
| services.msc | Services | |
|
| fsmgmt.msc | Shared Folders | |
|
| shutdown | Shuts Down Windows | |
|
| mmsys.cpl | Sounds and Audio | |
|
| spider | Spider Solitare Card Game | |
|
| cliconfg | SQL Client Configuration | |
|
| sysedit | System Configuration Editor | |
|
| msconfig | System Configuration Utility | |
|
| sfc /scannow | System File Checker(Scan Immediately) | |
|
| sfc /scanonce | System FC (Scan Once At Next Boot) | |
|
| sfc /scanboot | System FC (Scan On Every Boot) | |
|
| sfc /revert | System FC (Return to Default Setting) | |
|
| sfc /purgecache | System FC (Purge File Cache) | |
|
| sfc /cachesize=x | System FC (Set Cache Size to size x) | |
|
| sysdm.cpl | System Properties | |
|
| Taskmgr | Task Manager | |
|
| nusrmgr.cpl | User Account Management | |
|
| utilman | Utility Manager | |
|
| explorer | Windows Explorer | |
|
| firewall.cpl | Windows Firewall | |
|
| magnify | Windows Magnifier | |
|
| wmimgmt.msc | Windows Management lnfrastructure (WMI) | |
|
| syskey | Windows System Security Tool | |
|
|
wupdmgr
Windows 7: wuapp |
Windows Update Launches | |
|
| winver | Windows Version | |
|
| tourstart | Windows XP Tour Wizard | |
|
| Write | Wordpad | |
|
Which commands did I miss? Let us know in the comments.
About Rich
Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.
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interesante aporte
Great list! I just wanted to mention that if you type some of these commands using Windows 7 Start menu search they do not work (I am assuming Vista has a similar result). A work around is to start typing what the command is supposed to launch. Example, “control folders” does not launch Folder Properties; but if you type “folder ” not only do you get some more options under the Control Panel heading the first one selected should be Folder Options (at least it was for me). Worst comes to worst I guess you can just use the Winkey+R to open Run and than type the commands as they appear in the list above.
Thanks for checking and for your contribution Scott.
I have Windows XP OS for almost 10 years and this was the first time I know about this. Definitely an awesome list. Keep posting more useful info.
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /displaydns
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /showclassid
ipconfig /setclassid
just so you know taskmgr works in windows 7 and 8
The command to fix the master boot record
Glad you found it. Thanks for stopping by!
f
very useful the cmd
wupdmgr was changed in Windows 7 to ‘Wuapp.exe’ so to launch Windows update in windows 7, run ‘wuapp’.
Thanks Stuart, I’ve update the guide.
Also there are others like,
Microsoft Office Word – “Winword”
Microsoft Office Excel – “Excel”
Microsoft Office Outlook – “Outlook”
Paint – “mspaint”