Windows Run Commands to Help You Work Your System

Run commands can be used to access various aspects of your computer without going through the Control Panel or menus. If you're in the process of tweaking your system so it becomes more responsive, you may find these commands useful.

This guide applies to Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Windows Run Commands

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

To use any of these commands, go to Start > Run or use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+R. Then enter a command at the prompt and select OK. Before modifying any values within these utilities, however, be sure to read up on what they do.

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