List of all essential run commands in Windows 10
List of all essential run commands in Windows 10
The run command is a form of a shortcut that is opened by pressing the windows icon + R on your keyboard. It will open a Run command box that looks like this. The run command can be a great way to open many different menu’s in Windows 10 in a quick manner.
Many times I have had an issue with Windows where I could not open a program or menu because of a issue with Windows. This can be frustrating because I needed to find a workaround solution to resolve my issue. I knew there needed to be a way to resolve this issue but didn’t know how. I then discovered in the run command there actually was shortcuts
In the run command box, you can type many different commands that will get you directly to the settings menu of your choice. This step bypasses all menu or setting originally required to navigate through. Sometimes Windows 10 will do a update that will remove an option to get to a setting you used to have access to. Windows did not delete the setting likely it is still there, but they removed a easy way for you to get to it. An example I recently noticed is the original system properties menu which has different options than the Windows settings version.
So here is a list of many of the Run command shortcuts that can be very valuable
Keys | Command |
| Opens up the Run command window |
+R or Win+R
Keys |
Command |
Ctrl+Shift+Enterafter you type in your run command |
Opens any run command as administrator |
This is essential if for Run commands if you want anything you open to open as an administrator. To do this simply type in your Run command and after its typed press Ctrl+Shift+Enter simultaneously. An administrator gives you full control to change every feature that is available.
Run Command | What it opens |
Control | Control panel |
This is a great way to control all the settings of your computer in the same fashion as Windows 7 but in Windows 10. Open up the original Windows control panel that is still accessible in Windows 10
Run Command | What it opens |
Apppwiz.cpl | Programs and features |
Open up programs and features so you can uninstall or repair any programs on your computer.
Run Command | What it opens |
cmd | Command prompt |
Opens up the command prompt, if you want to open it in administrator mode then after typing in cmd in the Run window then press ctrl+shift+enter.
Run Command | What it opens |
Services.msc | Services menu |
Opens up the services menu in Windows 10. The services menu gives you the ability to see all the Windows services and in this menu you can start or stop individual services.
Run Command | What it opens |
Devmgmt.msc | Device manager |
Opens the device manager. This menu allows you to control the Drivers on your computer. You can update, uninstall, disable and many other options here. Drivers are the software in your computer that allows your hardware communicate with the software. For example the hardware of a mouse to have the ability to move a cursor on the screen only works because of Drivers.
Run Command | What it opens |
Taskmgr | Task manager |
Opens up the task manager. The task manager is a great tool to see what tasks are running on your computer. When you open a program it will show in the task manager and it will show how much of your computers resources are getting used by that program.
Run Command | What it opens |
Regedit | Registry editor |
Run Command | What it opens |
Sysdm.cpl | System properties |
Opens the system properties menu. In this menu you can improve your performance by changing the visual settings under the advanced tab. This menu is no longer available in the control panel but you can still access it through the run command.
Run Command | What it opens |
Msconfig | System configuration utility |
Opens up the system configuration utility menu. This is a good place to change Window’s start up behavior with features like safe boot
Run Command |
What it opens |
Ncpa.cpl |
Network connections |
Opens the network connections menu. The networks connections menu allows you to adjust your internet connections with more advanced features compared to the settings app in Windows 10.
Run Command | What it opens |
Powercfg.cpl | Control panel power options |
Opens up the system power options. This allows you to change Windows power to high performance or adjust other power settings.
Run Command | What it opens |
%Appdata% | App data folder |
Opens up the App data folder in file explorer. The App data folder is a hidden folder where installed programs and Windows sometimes will store their data.
Run Command | What it opens |
Netplwiz | User accounts |
Run Command | What it opens |
Ms-Settings: | Windows 10 settings |
Opens up Windows 10 settings menu. This can be convenient if your start menu is not working.
Run Command | What it opens |
Explorer | File explorer |
Run Command | What it opens |
Explorer \ | Drive where Windows is installed |
Opens the storage drive where Windows is installed using the in file explorer.
Run Command | What it opens |
Explorer \users | Users folder |
Open the users folder using the Run command. Just like Explorer \users, you can type in many other folder names after explorer \, not all folders in Windows will work though because they are not set up to.
Run Command | What it opens |
Explorer \programdata | Program data folder |