The Run box (Windows key + R) opens any program or system tool when you type its command name. It has existed since Windows 95. These also work from the Start-menu search, CMD and PowerShell.
System tools
| Command | Opens |
|---|---|
| cmd | Command Prompt |
| powershell / pwsh | Windows PowerShell / PowerShell 7 |
| wt | Windows Terminal |
| msconfig | System Configuration (boot, services, startup) |
| msinfo32 | System Information |
| dxdiag | DirectX Diagnostic Tool (GPU, sound) |
| taskmgr | Task Manager |
| resmon | Resource Monitor |
| perfmon | Performance Monitor |
| perfmon /rel | Reliability Monitor |
| regedit | Registry Editor |
| gpedit.msc | Group Policy Editor (Pro) |
| services.msc | Services |
| devmgmt.msc | Device Manager |
| diskmgmt.msc | Disk Management |
| compmgmt.msc | Computer Management |
| eventvwr.msc | Event Viewer |
| lusrmgr.msc | Local Users and Groups (Pro) |
| secpol.msc | Local Security Policy |
| taskschd.msc | Task Scheduler |
| certmgr.msc | Certificates |
| fsmgmt.msc | Shared Folders |
| printmanagement.msc | Print Management |
| wf.msc | Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security |
| sysdm.cpl | System Properties (computer name, performance, remote) |
| SystemPropertiesAdvanced | Advanced system settings (environment variables) |
| winver | About Windows version |
| control | Control Panel |
| control userpasswords2 / netplwiz | User Accounts (auto login) |
| cleanmgr | Disk Cleanup |
| dfrgui | Defragment and Optimize Drives |
| mdsched | Windows Memory Diagnostic |
| rstrui | System Restore |
| recdisc | Create a system repair disc |
| sdclt | Backup and Restore |
| verifier | Driver Verifier |
| msdt | Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool |
| mrt | Malicious Software Removal Tool |
| wscui.cpl | Security and Maintenance |
| UserAccountControlSettings | UAC settings |
| optionalfeatures | Turn Windows features on or off |
| appwiz.cpl | Programs and Features (uninstall) |
| ms-settings: | Settings app (ms-settings:display, ms-settings:network, ms-settings:windowsupdate…) |
| wuapp / ms-settings:windowsupdate | Windows Update |
| shutdown /s /t 0 | Shut down now |
| shutdown /r /o | Restart into Advanced Startup (Safe Mode) |
| logoff | Sign out |
| slui | Windows activation |
| credwiz | Credential Backup Wizard |
| control keymgr.dll | Credential Manager |
| eudcedit | Private Character Editor |
| charmap | Character Map (symbols ©, ₹, ∞) |
Control Panel applets (.cpl)
| Command | Opens |
|---|---|
| desk.cpl | Display settings |
| ncpa.cpl | Network Connections (adapters) |
| inetcpl.cpl | Internet Properties |
| firewall.cpl | Windows Defender Firewall |
| powercfg.cpl | Power Options |
| mmsys.cpl | Sound |
| main.cpl | Mouse Properties |
| main.cpl keyboard | Keyboard Properties |
| timedate.cpl | Date and Time |
| intl.cpl | Region (formats, language) |
| hdwwiz.cpl | Add Hardware Wizard |
| joy.cpl | Game Controllers |
| telephon.cpl | Phone and Modem |
| access.cpl | Ease of Access |
| wscui.cpl | Security and Maintenance |
| sysdm.cpl | System Properties |
| control printers | Devices and Printers |
| control fonts | Fonts folder |
| control folders | File Explorer Options (show hidden files) |
| control color | Personalization colour |
| control desktop | Personalization |
| control admintools | Administrative Tools |
| control schedtasks | Scheduled Tasks |
| control mouse | Mouse |
Apps & folders
| Command | Opens |
|---|---|
| notepad | Notepad |
| write / wordpad | WordPad |
| calc | Calculator |
| mspaint | Paint |
| snippingtool | Snipping Tool |
| magnify | Magnifier |
| osk | On-Screen Keyboard |
| narrator | Narrator |
| stikynot | Sticky Notes |
| winword | MS Word |
| excel | MS Excel |
| powerpnt | PowerPoint |
| outlook | Outlook |
| msaccess | Access |
| onenote | OneNote |
| explorer | File Explorer (This PC) |
| explorer shell:RecycleBinFolder | Recycle Bin |
| shell:startup | Startup folder (programs that start with Windows) |
| shell:sendto | Send To folder |
| shell:AppsFolder | All installed apps |
| shell:desktop / shell:downloads | Desktop / Downloads folder |
| . | Current user profile folder |
| .. | C:\Users |
| \ | C:\ root drive |
| %temp% | Temporary files (safe to delete) |
| temp | Windows temp folder |
| %appdata% | Roaming AppData |
| %localappdata% | Local AppData |
| %programfiles% | Program Files |
| %userprofile% | Your user folder |
| %windir% / %systemroot% | C:\Windows |
| prefetch | Prefetch folder |
| recent | Recently opened files |
| fonts | Fonts folder |
| iexplore / msedge / chrome / firefox | Browsers |
| mstsc | Remote Desktop Connection |
| msra | Windows Remote Assistance |
| quickassist | Quick Assist |
| wmplayer | Windows Media Player |
| sndvol | Volume Mixer |
| sndrec32 / soundrecorder | Voice Recorder |
| cttune | ClearType Text Tuner |
| dccw | Display Colour Calibration |
| colorcpl | Colour Management |
| printui | Printer user interface |
| psr | Steps Recorder |
| wiaacmgr | Scanner wizard |
| mobsync | Sync Center |
| migwiz | Windows Easy Transfer (older) |
| odbcad32 | ODBC Data Sources |
| iexpress | IExpress package wizard |
| tabtip | Touch keyboard |
| chrome --incognito | Chrome private window |
| ms-availablenetworks: | Wi-Fi list |
| ms-screenclip: | Screen snip |
| ms-clock: | Clock app |
| ms-windows-store: | Microsoft Store |
| ms-paint: | Paint |
| bitlockerwizard / manage-bde | BitLocker |
Fast ways to open Run: Win + R; right-click Start → Run; Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens Task Manager directly; Win + X opens the power-user menu; Win + I opens Settings; Win + E opens File Explorer.
// Keep exploring
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