Tech – for Everyone

Tech Tips and Tricks & Advice – written in plain English.

A List of Vista & Windows 7 Run Commands

Today I thought I would post a “cheat sheet” list for you guys.

run_dbox “Run” is a “keyboard shortcut” way of quickly launching programs and utilities, and also accessing “Settings” menus and tools that otherwise are hidden.
To get to “Run“, press the Windows logo key + “R”, together.

This list is not a complete listing, but looking at it, and exploring a bit, may help you on the road to becoming a “power user”. Some of these I use a lot. Others, I never have.
(Though this is a Vista/Win7 list.. most of these work on the older XP as well.)

Open Run and type the (bold text) command, then press Enter. It fast, and simple (as keyboard shortcuts are meant to be).. Uber Geeks have many of these memorized.. but you may prefer to print it out, or bookmark this page.

  • Action Center= wscui.cpl
  • Administrative Tools = control admintools
  • Backup and Restore = sdclt
  • Cleartype Text Tuner = cttune
  • Computer Management = compmgmt.msc or CompMgmtLauncher
  • Control Panel = control
  • Create a System Repair disc = recdisc
  • Device Manager = devmgmt.msc
  • Devices and Printers = control printers
  • Direct X Troubleshooter = dxdiag
  • Disk Management = diskmgmt.msc
  • Event Viewer = eventvwr.msc
  • File Signature Verification Tool = sigverif
  • Folders Options = control folders
  • Keyboard = control keyboard
  • Microsoft Management Console = mmc
  • Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool = msdt
  • Mouse = control mouse or main.cpl
  • Performance Monitor = perfmon.msc
  • Personalization = control desktop
  • Power Configuration = powercfg.cpl
  • Print management = printmanagement.msc
  • Printer User Interface = printui
  • Problems Steps Recorder = psr
  • Programs and Features = appwiz.cpl or control appwiz.cpl
  • Recovery = control.exe /name Microsoft.Recovery
  • Registry Editor = regedit or regedt32
  • Resource Monitor = resmon
  • Services = services.msc
  • System Configuration Utility = msconfig
  • System Information = msinfo32
  • System Properties = sysdm.cpl or Windows logo key + Pause/Break
  • System Restore = rstrui
  • Task Manager = taskmgr
  • Task Scheduler = control schedtasks
  • Taskbar and Start Menu = control.exe /name Microsoft.TaskbarandStartMenu
  • User Accounts Windows = netplwiz or control userpasswords2
  • Volume Mixer = sndvol
  • Windows Activation Phone Numbers = slui 4
  • Windows Easy Transfer = migwiz
  • Windows Memory Diagnostic = MdSched
  • Windows Standalone Update Manager = wusa
  • Windows System Security Tool = syskey
  • Windows Version = winver

Accessories

  • Calculator = calc
  • Character Map = charmap
  • Command Prompt = cmd
  • Connect to a Network Projector = NetProj
  • Connect to a Projector = displayswitch or Windows logo key + P
  • Defragment User Interface = dfrgui
  • Disk Cleanup Utility = cleanmgr
  • Magnifier = magnify
  • Microsoft Paint = mspaint.exe
  • Narrator = Narrator
  • Notepad = notepad
  • On Screen Keyboard = osk
  • Presentation Settings = PresentationSettings
  • Remote Desktop Connection = mstsc
  • Snipping Tool = snippingtool
  • Sound Recorder = soundrecorder
  • Sticky Note = StikyNot
  • Sync Center = mobsync
  • Windows Explorer = explorer or Windows logo key + E
  • Windows Mobility Center (Only on Laptops) = Windows logo key + X
  • Wordpad = write

Internet Explorer = iexplore
Internet Explorer (No Add-ons) = iexplore -extoff
Internet Explorer (No Home) = iexplore about:blank

  • Windows Fax and Scan = wfs
  • Windows Fax and Scan Cover Page Editor = fxscover
  • Windows Media Player = wmplayer
  • Windows Media Player DVD Player = dvdplay

Logs out of Windows = logoff
Shuts Down Windows = shutdown

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Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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January 30, 2012 - Posted by | advice, computers, how to, keyboards and mice, Microsoft, PC, tech, tweaks, Vista, Windows 7 | , , , , ,

8 Comments »

  1. Hey… thanks for this. I like Cheat Sheets, Short Cuts and anything that will get me to where I want to go… Quick … as easy as possible!

    Lots of this is still Abstract to me… with it being new stuff, I will print it out…to take a serious look at it.

    Like

    Comment by Gaia | January 30, 2012 | Reply

  2. Paul, Again thanks! I remember those postings…I think I even printed it…and probably stored it in a file…sort of forgot about it. I think I’ll take the time to look at it again…since it is short cuts that I like.

    Like

    Comment by Gaia | January 30, 2012 | Reply

    • Gaia,
      Pure repetition is how I learned ’em. And now, some are almost unconscious reflex..

      Ctrl+C followed by Ctrl+V (Copy, then Paste),

      Ctrl+Shift+arrow keys to “highlight”,

      .. and of course, Ctrl+Z (UNdo that last action!)

      Like

      Comment by techpaul | January 30, 2012 | Reply

  3. I have frequently used “run” commands since Windows 95 came out. There’s a bunch listed here that I was unaware of, but since I shunned Vista and went straight from XP to Win7 I suppose there would be. Thanks for the list… they will be a great time saver for me!

    Like

    Comment by kstinman | January 30, 2012 | Reply

    • kstinman,
      Yes, many of these (the majority?) have been around since the early days, and for many people are old friends (so to speak).

      Like

      Comment by techpaul | January 30, 2012 | Reply

  4. Thanks for sharing. Very useful.

    Like

    Comment by Murugesan | February 1, 2012 | Reply

    • Murugesan,
      Good to see you here again.

      Like

      Comment by techpaul | February 1, 2012 | Reply


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