The Windows Run Commands Cheat Sheet

If you want a quick way to launch programs, documents, settings, utilities, and other resources on your Windows machine, look no further than the Run dialog.

You don’t need to learn anything complex to use this built-in feature. Memorizing a few useful commands will do. And you’ll find the best of these Run dialog commands (commonly called Run commands) in our cheat sheet below.

To use a particular command, summon the Run dialog with the shortcut Win + R, type in the command for a particular Windows item, and hit Enter to launch that item.

FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download Essential Run Commands for Windows.

Essential Run Commands for Windows

Shortcut	Action
Common Windows Tools
explorer	Windows Explorer
c:	Open C: Drive
regedit	Registry Editor
services.msc	Windows Services (local)
taskmgr	Task Manager
msconfig	System Configuration Utility
mstsc	Remote Desktop (Microsoft Terminal Services Client)
logoff	Log Off Windows (without confirmation!)
shutdown	Shuts Down Windows (Save all your work first)
cmd	Command Prompt
notepad	Notepad
osk	On Screen keyboard
mailto:	Open Default Mail Application
Website address	Open entered URL in default browser
Other Windows Tools & Utilities
calc	Calculator
chkdsk	Check Disk
charmap	Character Map
cleanmgr	Clean Manager - Disk Cleanup Utility
clipbrd	Clipboard Viewer (not available after Windows XP)
cmd	Command Prompt
comp	Compare Files
colorcpl	Color Management
cttune	ClearType Text tuner
dxdiag	Direct X Troubleshooter
eudcedit	Private Characters Editor
fonts	Fonts
fsquirt	Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
ftp	MS-DOS FTP
iexplore	Internet Explorer
joy.cpl	Game Controllers
label	Volume Serial Number for C:
magnify	Windows Magnifier
microsoft-edge://	Edge
migwiz	Migration Wizard - Files and Settings Transfer Tool
mip	Math Input Panel
mrt	Malicious Software Removal Tool
msiexec	Windows Installer Details
msinfo32	System Information
mspaint	Paint
narrator	Narrator
powershell	Powershell
shrpubw	Create a shared folder Wizard
sigverif	File Signature Verification Tool
sndvol	Volume Control
snippingtool	Snipping Tools
stikynot	Sticky Notes
utilman	Narrator Settings
verifier	Driver Verifier Utility
was	Contacts
wf.msc	Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
wfs	Windows Fax and Scan
wiaacmgr	Scanner
winver	Windows Version (Check your Windows version)
wmplayer	Windows Media Player
write	WordPad
xpsrchvw	XPS Viewer
winword	Word
Word /safe	Word Safe Mode
Control Panel Commands
appwiz.cpl	Application Wizard (Program and Features)
control	Control Panel
control admintools	Administrative Tools
control color	Personalization - Color and Appearance
control desktop	Display Properties (Personalization)
control folders	Folders Properties
control keyboard	Keyboard Properties
control mouse	Mouse Properties
control netconnections	Network Properties
control printers	Printers Folders
control schedtasks	Scheduled Tasks
control update	Windows Update
control userpasswords	Manager current User Account
control userpasswords2	Manager all User Accounts
desk.cpl	Display - Screen Resolution
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager
firewall.cpl	Windows Firewall
inetcpl.cpl	Internet Properties (Internet Control Panel)
intl.cpl	Regional Settings (International)
mmsys.cpl	Sound Properties (Multimedia System Settings)
ncpa.cpl	Network Properties
netplwiz	To create User Account
powercfg.cpl	Power Configuration
sysdm.cpl	System Properties
timedate.cpl	Date and Time Properties
utilman	Ease of Access Utility Manager
wscui.cpl	Security Center (Windows Security Center UI)
Windows Administrative Tools
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management including System Tools, Storage, Services and Applications
defrag	Defrag Command
dcomcnfg	Component Services (Detailed Component Configuration)
devmgmt.msc	Device Management
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Partition Manager
diskpart	Diskpart Command
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer
fsmgmt.msc	Shared Folders (File Sharing Management)
gpedit.msc	Group Policy Editor
lusrmgr.msc	Local User and Groups
perfmon.msc	Performance Monitor
rekeywiz	File Encryption
System File Checker Utility
sfc /scannow	System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce	System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot	System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /revert	System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Settings)
sfc /purgecache	System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x	System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to Size x)
Common Environment Variables
%AllUsersProfile%	Program Data
%ProgramFiles%	Program Files
%SystemDrive%	System Drive
%SystemRoot%	System Root
%Temp%	Temporary Folder
%UserProfile%	User Profile
%WinDir%	Windows Directory

A Powerful, Underrated Windows Feature

Run commands are time saving and easy to use, and also a satisfying way to access Windows items using only the keyboard.

Don’t worry if you can’t remember certain useful commands you need. You can replace them with custom command names that are more memorable. We’ll show you how to do that in our Run Dialog primer.

And speaking of useful commands, it’s now time to discover some of the best Windows CMD commands.

Read the full article: The Windows Run Commands Cheat Sheet

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