Complete Guide to Your Windows System Run Commands

Access parts of the operating system easily

by
Jason Rybka
Writer
Jason Rybka is a former Lifewire PC and Console gaming writer with expertise in gaming exploits. Jason was also the developer/owner of Xbox Solution and other web properties.
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Jason Rybka
Updated on April 21, 2021
reviewed by
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Ryan Perian
Lifewire Technology Review Board Member
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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Article reviewed on Dec 02, 2020
Ryan Perian

What to Know

  • Quickest way to access Run in all versions of Windows: Windows Key+R.
  • To open the Run command in Windows 10, right-click Start > Run.
  • In Windows 8 or 7, select Start > Run.

This article explains how to use Run commands in Windows 10, 8, and 7. Also included are the most frequently used Run commands and commands to access various sections of the Control Panel.

A person using a stylus with a Windows-based PC.
Adam Berry / Stringer / Getty Images 

Windows Run Commands

To enter these commands in Windows 10, right-click on the Start menu and select Run (in Windows 8 and 7, select Start > Run), or use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+R in all versions of Windows. At the prompt, select OK. Before modifying any values within these utilities, be sure to read up on what they do.

The right-click context menu in Windows 10.

The Run app is not case sensitive.

Command What It Does
Command Opens the command prompt.
Compmgmt.msc Opens the computer management console.
Devmgmt.msc Opens the device manager.
Diskmgmt.msc Opens the disk management tool.
Eventvwr.msc Opens the event viewer.
Fsmgmt.msc Opens shared folders.
Gpedit.msc Opens the group policy editor.
Lusrmgr.msc Opens the local users and groups.
Mailto: Opens the default email client.
Msconfig Opens the system configuration utility.
Msinfo32 Opens the system information utility.
Perfmon.msc Opens the performance monitor.
Regedit Opens the registry editor.
Rsop.msc Opens resultant set of policy.
Secpol.msc Opens local security settings.
Services.msc Opens services utility.
System.ini Windows loading information.
Win.ini Windows loading information.
Winver Shows current version of Windows.

Control Panel Access Run Commands

The following commands access various parts of the Control Panel directly:

Command What It Does
Appwiz.cpl Add/Remove Programs
Timedate.cpl Date/Time Properties
Desk.cpl Display Properties
Fonts Fonts Folder
Inetcpl.cpl Internet Properties
Main.cpl keyboard Keyboard Properties
Main.cpl Mouse Properties
Mmsys.cpl Multimedia Properties
Mmsys.cpl sounds Sound Properties
Sysdm.cpl System Properties
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