Learn to use the “Run” command to access Windows features

The “RUN” command, or as some purists say the “Command Line”, is a way to access features of your Windows operating system directly – without using the Start Menu, Control Panel, etc.. You can blaze right to “Mouse Settings” without going through the Control Panel for instance. But, if you don’t know the command you can’t do it. With that in mind here is a list of some of the command you can use in the “RUN” dialog to access Windows programs and features. Keep in mind this is not a complete list by any means, but it contains some that you might find useful.

In Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, you can get right to Run command by pressing the Windows Key plus the “R” key. When the Run command line opens, type in one of the following commands and press “Enter”. Keep in mind that most of these commands work in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7; some however, will work in one but not the others. So try them no matter which version of Windows you’re using.

Accessibility Controls – access.cpl  (Does not work on Windows 7)

Accessibility Wizard – accwiz

Add/Remove Programs – appwiz.cpl

Administrative Tools – control admintools

Automatic Updates – wuaucpl.cpl

Calculator – calc

Character Map – charmap

Check Disk Utility – chkdsk

Clipboard Viewer – clipbrd

Command Prompt – cmd

Computer Management – compmgmt.msc

Control Panel – control

Date and Time Properties – timedate.cpl

Device Manager – devmgmt.msc

Direct X Troubleshooter – dxdiag

Disk Cleanup Utility – cleanmgr

Disk Defragment – dfrg.msc

Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc

Disk Partition Manager – diskpart

Display Properties – control desktop

Display Properties – desk.cpl

Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility – drwtsn32

Driver Verifier Utility – verifier

Event Viewer – eventvwr.msc

Files and Settings Transfer Tool – migwiz

Firefox – firefox

Folders Properties – control folders

Fonts – control fonts

Fonts Folder – fonts

Help and Support – helpctr

Internet Explorer – iexplore

Internet Properties – inetcpl.cpl

Keyboard Properties – control keyboard

Log Out Of Windows – logoff

Malicious Software Removal Tool – mrt

Microsoft Movie Maker – moviemk

Microsoft Paint – mspaint

Mouse Properties – control mouse

Mouse Properties – main.cpl

Network Connections – ncpa.cpl

Network Setup Wizard – netsetup.cpl

Notepad notepad

On Screen Keyboard – osk

Outlook Express – msimn

Paint – pbrush

Performance Monitor – perfmon

Power Configuration – powercfg.cpl

Printers and Faxes – control printers

Printers Folder – printers

Registry Editor – regedit

Scheduled Tasks – control schedtasks

Security Center – wscui.cpl

Shut Down Windows – shutdown

Sounds and Audio – mmsys.cpl

System Configuration Editor – sysedit

System Configuration Utility – msconfig

System Information – msinfo32

System Properties – sysdm.cpl

Task Manager – taskmgr

User Account Management – nusrmgr.cpl

Utility Manager – utilman

Windows Address Book – wab

Windows Explorer – explorer

Windows Firewall – firewall.cpl

Windows Magnifier – magnify

Windows Media Player – wmplayer

Windows System Security Tool – syskey

Windows Update Launcher – wupdmgr

Windows Version – winver

Wordpad – write

Remember some of these do not work on all versions of Windows – but many of them work on all versions of Windows. So try them and you’ll learn a new way of getting where you want to go.