Windows Run Commands: Complete Win+R Shortcut List for Windows 10 & 11
The Windows Run dialog is a built-in Windows feature that lets you open programs, system tools, folders, and settings by typing a short command without navigating through menus or using a mouse. It is opened by pressing Win+R (the Windows key and R key simultaneously) on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
Once the Run dialog box appears, type any command from the list below and press Enter to launch it instantly. To run a command with administrator privileges, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter instead of Enter.
This page contains a complete list of 113 Windows Run commands organized by category covering system tools, folder shortcuts, Control Panel settings, network commands, and built-in apps. A free PDF version is available to download at the bottom of this page.
Windows utilities
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Explorer | explorer | Opens File Explorer so you can browse files, folders, and drives on your PC. Use this to quickly navigate your file system without clicking through the desktop. |
| Registry Editor | regedit | Opens the Windows Registry Editor where you can view and modify low-level system settings. Use with caution incorrect changes can cause system instability. |
| Windows Services | services.msc | Opens the Services console listing every background service running on Windows. Use it to start, stop, enable, or disable individual services. |
| Task Manager | taskmgr | Opens Task Manager to monitor running applications, CPU, RAM, and disk usage in real time. Use it to force-close frozen programs or check system performance. |
| System Configuration | msconfig | Opens the classic System Configuration utility to manage startup programs, boot settings, and background services. Useful for troubleshooting slow startup times. |
| Remote Desktop | mstsc | Opens the Remote Desktop Connection app so you can connect to and control another Windows PC over a network or the internet. |
| Log Off Windows | logoff | Immediately logs off the current Windows user session without shutting down the PC. Other user accounts on the same machine remain unaffected. |
| Shut Down Windows | shutdown | Opens the shutdown command interface. Pair with arguments like /s (shutdown), /r (restart), or /h (hibernate) for specific actions. |
| Command Prompt | cmd | Opens the Windows Command Prompt, a text-based interface for running commands, scripts, and system operations. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open it as administrator. |
Folder locations
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Documents Folder | documents | Opens your personal Documents folder directly in File Explorer. A fast alternative to navigating through This PC or the sidebar. |
| Videos Folder | videos | Opens your Videos library folder in File Explorer instantly. Useful for quickly accessing saved video files without browsing manually. |
| Downloads Folder | downloads | Opens your Downloads folder where browser and app downloads are saved by default. One of the fastest ways to reach recently downloaded files. |
| Favorites Folder | favorites | Opens the Internet Explorer Favorites folder, which stores saved browser bookmarks from older Windows versions. |
| Recent Folder | recent | Opens the Recent Items folder showing files and folders you have accessed recently. Useful for quickly finding a file you worked on without searching. |
| Pictures Folder | pictures | Opens your Pictures library folder in File Explorer. A quick shortcut to access saved images and photos stored on your PC. |
| C Drive | c: | Opens the root of your C: drive in File Explorer. Replace C with any other drive letter (D:, E:) to open that drive directly. |
System configurations
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Device Manager | devmgmt.msc | Opens Device Manager where you can view all hardware connected to your PC, update or roll back drivers, and troubleshoot hardware issues. |
| Event Viewer | eventvwr.msc | Opens Event Viewer which logs all system, application, and security events on Windows. Use it to diagnose crashes, errors, and warnings. |
| Computer Management | compmgmt.msc | Opens Computer Management, a central hub giving access to System Tools, Storage, and Services all in one place. Ideal for system administrators. |
| Disk Partition Manager | diskmgmt.msc | Opens Disk Management where you can view, create, resize, format, and delete disk partitions without third-party software. |
| Component Services | dcomcnfg | Opens Component Services for configuring COM+ applications and DCOM settings. Primarily used by developers and system administrators. |
| Group Policy Editor | gpedit.msc | Opens the Local Group Policy Editor to configure advanced Windows settings for security, user access, and system behaviour. Available on Windows Pro and Enterprise only. |
| Local Security Policy | secpol.msc | Opens Local Security Policy settings where you can configure password policies, audit policies, and user rights for the local machine. |
| Local Users & Groups | lusrmgr.msc | Opens the Local Users and Groups manager to create, delete, and manage user accounts and group memberships on the local PC. |
| Performance Monitor | perfmon.msc | Opens Performance Monitor to track real-time system metrics including CPU, memory, disk, and network usage over time. |
| Shared Folders | fsmgmt.msc | Opens the Shared Folders console showing all folders currently shared on your PC, active sessions, and open files. |
| Network Properties | ncpa.cpl | Opens the Network Connections panel where you can view, configure, enable, or disable network adapters and connections. |
| User Account Creator | netplwiz | Opens the User Accounts dialog where you can add or remove user accounts and configure whether a password is required at login. |
| Device Manager (alt) | devmgmt.msc | Duplicate entry in your current table same as Device Manager above. Consider removing one to keep the table clean. |
Classic Control Panel commands
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Control Panel | control | Opens the classic Windows Control Panel, the central location for system settings, hardware configuration, and user account management. |
| Folder Properties | control folders | Opens the classic File Explorer folder options where you can show hidden files, change how folders open, and configure file associations. |
| Keyboard Properties | control keyboard | Opens the classic Keyboard Properties dialog to adjust key repeat speed, repeat delay, and cursor blink rate. |
| Mouse Properties | control mouse | Opens the classic Mouse Properties dialog to configure pointer speed, button settings, scroll behaviour, and pointer appearance. |
| Printer Properties | control printers | Opens the Devices and Printers panel where you can add, remove, and manage printers and other connected devices. |
| User Passwords (current) | control userpasswords | Opens the User Accounts control panel for the currently logged-in user to change passwords and account settings. |
| User Passwords (all users) | control userpasswords2 | Opens the advanced User Accounts dialog for managing all local user accounts, passwords, and group memberships on the PC. |
| Administrative Tools | control admintools | Opens the Administrative Tools folder containing advanced system utilities like Event Viewer, Services, and Task Scheduler. |
| System Information | control system | Opens the classic System Properties panel showing your Windows version, processor, RAM, and computer name. |
| Programs & Features | appwiz.cpl | Opens the Programs and Features panel where you can uninstall or change installed applications. The classic alternative to Settings > Apps. |
| Power Options | powercfg.cpl | Opens Power Options where you can choose a power plan, configure sleep settings, and manage battery usage on laptops. |
| Date and Time | timedate.cpl | Opens the Date and Time settings dialog to change the system clock, date, time zone, and configure internet time synchronisation. |
| Regional Settings | intl.cpl | Opens Region settings to change the display format for dates, times, numbers, and currency based on your location. |
| Sound Properties | mmsys.cpl | Opens Sound settings where you can configure playback and recording devices, adjust volume levels, and change system sounds. |
| Security Center | wscui.cpl | Opens the classic Windows Security Center showing the status of your firewall, antivirus, and automatic updates. |
| Internet Properties | inetcpl.cpl | Opens Internet Properties to configure browser security zones, privacy settings, and connection settings shared across Windows apps. |
| System Properties | sysdm.cpl | Opens System Properties where you can change the computer name, configure remote settings, manage environment variables, and adjust performance options. |
| Windows Firewall | firewall.cpl | Opens the classic Windows Firewall settings panel where you can turn the firewall on or off and configure allowed applications. |
Built-in app shortcuts
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alarms & Clock | alarm | Opens the Windows Alarms & Clock app where you can set alarms, use a stopwatch, and configure a timer. |
| Calculator | calculator | Opens the built-in Windows Calculator app which supports standard, scientific, programmer, and unit conversion modes. |
| Calendar | calendar | Opens the Windows Calendar app to view, create, and manage calendar events and appointments synced with your accounts. |
| Camera | camera | Opens the Windows Camera app to take photos or record video using your PC’s built-in or connected webcam. |
| Control Panel | control | Opens the classic Windows Control Panel for system settings and hardware configuration. |
| Microsoft Edge | edge | Opens the Microsoft Edge browser directly. Only works if Edge is installed and registered in the system path. |
| Get Help | gethelp | Opens the Windows Get Help app which provides guided support and troubleshooting assistance for common Windows issues. |
| Groove Music | groove | Opens the Groove Music app (now called Media Player in Windows 11) for playing locally stored music files. |
| Opens the built-in Windows Mail app for managing email accounts from providers like Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo. | ||
| Maps | maps | Opens the Windows Maps app powered by Bing Maps for searching locations, getting directions, and exploring street views. |
| Messaging | messaging | Opens the Windows Messaging app for sending and receiving SMS messages when linked to a compatible Android phone. |
| Mixed Reality Portal | mixed | Opens the Windows Mixed Reality Portal for setting up and using VR headsets compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. |
| Office Hub | office | Opens the Microsoft Office Hub app providing quick access to Office applications and recently used Office documents. |
| OneNote | onenote | Opens Microsoft OneNote for creating and managing notes, to-do lists, and notebooks synced across your devices. |
| People | people | Opens the Windows People app to view and manage your contacts synced from connected accounts like Outlook and Google. |
| Photos | photos | Opens the Windows Photos app for viewing, organising, and basic editing of photos and videos stored on your PC. |
| Print 3D | print3d | Opens the Print 3D app for preparing and sending 3D models to a connected 3D printer. |
| Skype | skype | Opens the Skype app for video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging. Requires Skype to be installed. |
| Sticky Notes | sticky | Opens the Windows Sticky Notes app for creating quick digital notes that stay visible on your desktop. |
| Microsoft Store | store | Opens the Microsoft Store where you can browse, download, and update apps, games, and other content for Windows. |
| Voice Recorder | voice | Opens the Windows Voice Recorder app (Sound Recorder in Windows 11) for recording audio using your PC’s microphone. |
| Weather | weather | Opens the Windows Weather app showing current conditions and forecasts based on your location. |
| Whiteboard | whiteboard | Opens Microsoft Whiteboard, a collaborative digital canvas for drawing, brainstorming, and presenting ideas. |
| Your Phone / Phone Link | yourphone | Opens the Phone Link app (formerly Your Phone) to sync notifications, messages, and photos from your Android phone. |
Installed application shortcuts
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Acrobat | acrobat | Opens Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro for viewing, editing, and managing PDF files. Only works if Adobe Acrobat is installed. |
| Adobe Photoshop | photoshop | Opens Adobe Photoshop for professional image editing. Only works if Photoshop is installed and registered in the system path. |
| Google Chrome | chrome | Opens the Google Chrome browser directly. Only works if Chrome is installed and added to the Windows system path. |
| Microsoft Excel | excel | Opens Microsoft Excel for creating and editing spreadsheets. Requires Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 to be installed. |
| Microsoft Access | access | Opens Microsoft Access for creating and managing databases. Requires Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 to be installed. |
| Microsoft Word | winword | Opens Microsoft Word for creating and editing documents. Requires Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 to be installed. |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | powerpnt | Opens Microsoft PowerPoint for creating and editing presentations. Requires Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 to be installed. |
| Windows Media Player | wmplayer | Opens Windows Media Player for playing audio and video files. Available on Windows 10 replaced by the Media Player app on Windows 11. |
| Microsoft Paint | mspaint | Opens the classic Microsoft Paint app for basic image editing and drawing. Available on all versions of Windows 10 and 11. |
| WordPad | write | Opens WordPad, a basic word processor built into Windows for creating simple formatted documents. Note: removed in Windows 11 version 24H2. |
IP config commands
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Display connection config | ipconfig/all | Displays detailed network configuration for all adapters including IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS servers, and MAC address. |
| Display DNS Cache | ipconfig/displaydns | Shows all DNS records currently cached on your PC. Useful for seeing which domain names your computer has recently looked up. |
| Flush DNS Cache | ipconfig/flushdns | Clears the DNS resolver cache, forcing Windows to look up fresh DNS records. Use this to fix website loading issues after DNS changes. |
| Release connections | ipconfig/release | Releases the current IP address assigned to your network adapter by the DHCP server. Use before renewing to get a new IP address. |
| Renew connections | ipconfig/renew | Requests a new IP address from the DHCP server for all network adapters. Use after releasing to refresh your network connection. |
| Refresh DHCP & DNS | ipconfig/registerdns | Refreshes all DHCP leases and re-registers DNS names for your PC. Commonly used by IT administrators to fix DNS registration issues. |
| Display DHCP Class ID | ipconfig/showclassid | Displays the DHCP class ID for a network adapter. Used in managed network environments where different device classes receive different settings. |
| Modify DHCP Class ID | ipconfig/setclassid | Modifies the DHCP class ID for a specified network adapter. Used by network administrators to assign devices to specific DHCP classes. |
Other Windows tools
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Folder Wizard | shrpubw | Opens the Create Shared Folder Wizard for quickly setting up a shared network folder with custom permissions. |
| DirectX Troubleshooter | dxdiag | Opens the DirectX Diagnostic Tool showing detailed information about your graphics card, sound card, and DirectX version. Useful for diagnosing gaming and display issues. |
| Disk Cleanup | cleanmgr | Opens the Disk Cleanup utility to free up disk space by removing temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary data. |
| Clipboard Viewer | clipbrd | Opens the classic Clipboard Viewer to see what is currently stored on your clipboard. Not available on Windows 10 or 11 by default. |
| Windows Installer | msiexec | Opens the Windows Installer command-line tool for installing, repairing, or removing software packages in .msi format. |
| Magnifier | magnify | Opens the Windows Magnifier accessibility tool that enlarges part of the screen to make text and images easier to see. |
| On-Screen Keyboard | osk | Opens the On-Screen Keyboard, a virtual keyboard used with a mouse or touchscreen instead of a physical keyboard. |
| System Information | msinfo32 | Opens the System Information tool showing a detailed overview of your hardware, software, and system components including drivers and running tasks. |
| Volume Control | sndvol | Opens the Windows Volume Mixer where you can adjust audio output for the system and for individual running applications separately. |
| Windows Version | winver | Opens a dialog showing your exact Windows version, build number, and edition. Useful for checking if your PC is up to date. |
| Compare Files | comp | Opens the file comparison command-line tool for checking whether two files are identical by comparing them byte by byte. |
| MS-DOS FTP | ftp | Opens the built-in Windows FTP command-line client for transferring files to and from FTP servers. |
| Volume Label | label | Opens the command-line tool for viewing or changing the volume label (name) of a disk drive. |
| Bluetooth Transfer Wizard | fsquirt | Opens the Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard for sending or receiving files between your PC and a paired Bluetooth device. |
| Driver Verifier | verifier | Opens Driver Verifier Manager, a tool that stress-tests installed drivers to identify faulty or unstable drivers causing system crashes. |
| Migration Wizard | migwiz | Opens the Windows Easy Transfer or Migration Wizard for transferring files, settings, and user profiles between Windows PCs. |
| File Signature Verification | sigverif | Opens the File Signature Verification tool to check whether system files have been digitally signed and are unmodified. |
| Fonts | fonts | Opens the Windows Fonts folder where you can view, install, preview, and delete fonts installed on your PC. |
| Game Controllers | joy.cpl | Opens the Game Controllers panel where you can view, configure, and test joysticks, gamepads, and other game input devices. |
| Malware Removal Tool | mrt | Opens the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool which scans your PC for common malware and removes it. |
| Private Characters Editor | eudcedit | Opens the Private Character Editor for creating and saving custom characters or symbols not available in standard Windows fonts. |
All 113 Windows Run commands on this page are also available as a free PDF cheat sheet formatted for easy printing and offline reference. The PDF is organized by category so you can find the right command quickly without scrolling through the full list.
Frequently asked questions about Windows Run commands
What is the Windows Run dialog?
The Windows Run dialog is a built-in Windows feature that allows you to open programs, system tools, folders, and settings by typing a short command. It provides quick access to Windows utilities without navigating through menus or using a mouse.
How do I open the Run dialog in Windows?
Press Win+R the Windows key and R key simultaneously to open the Run dialog box on Windows 10 or Windows 11. You can also right-click the Start menu and select Run from the menu.
What is the shortcut key for the Run command?
The keyboard shortcut to open the Windows Run command is Win+R. Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. This shortcut works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
How do I run a command as administrator from the Run dialog?
Type your command in the Run dialog and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter instead of Enter. This opens the program with full administrator privileges useful for commands like regedit, cmd, and gpedit.msc.
What are the most useful Windows Run commands?
The most commonly used Windows Run commands are: cmd (Command Prompt), regedit (Registry Editor), msconfig (System Configuration), taskmgr (Task Manager), services.msc (Windows Services), devmgmt.msc (Device Manager), and control (Control Panel).
Can I download the Windows Run commands list as a PDF?
Yes. A free PDF download of the complete Windows Run commands cheat sheet is available at the above of this page. The PDF includes all 113 commands organized by category for easy offline reference.
How many Windows Run commands are there?
There are hundreds of possible Windows Run commands. This page covers 113 of the most useful commands for Windows 10 and Windows 11, organized into eight categories including system tools, folder locations, Control Panel settings, network commands, and built-in apps.
Do Windows Run commands work on Windows 11?
Yes, the majority of Windows Run commands work on Windows 11. Most commands that worked on Windows 10 are also compatible with Windows 11, with some exceptions where Microsoft replaced older tools with Settings app equivalents using ms-settings: URIs.
What is the difference between the Run dialog and Command Prompt?
The Windows Run dialog (Win+R) is used to launch a single program or open a folder with a short command. The Command Prompt (cmd) is a full command-line interface that can execute sequences of commands, scripts, and advanced system operations.
How do I open Device Manager using the Run command?
Press Win+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Device Manager will open immediately, allowing you to view and manage all hardware devices connected to your computer.
The Windows Run dialog has been part of Windows since Windows 3.1, released in 1992 making it one of the oldest and most reliable shortcuts in the operating system. Despite being over 30 years old, it remains the fastest way to access system tools, settings, and programs on any Windows PC.
One useful feature worth knowing: the Run dialog remembers every command you have previously typed. Next time you open it with Win+R, you can press the down arrow key to browse your command history, or type the first letter of a command to auto-complete it.
If you want to learn more about what the Win+R shortcut does and how the Run dialog works in detail, read our full guide: What does Windows+R do?
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