A Complete Guide to Your Windows System Run Commands

The following Run commands can be run in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 to access various aspects of your computer without going through the Control Panel or menus. If you are in the process of tweaking your system so it becomes more responsive, you may find these commands useful. 

To access any of these commands, click Start, then Run, and enter the command in the Run field. The field is not case sensitive. Before modifying any values within these utilities, however, be sure to read up on what they do. Windows 7 doesn't always display Run in the Start menu. You can also go to the Run line by using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + R.

Command
Opens the command prompt

Compmgmt.msc
Opens the computer management console

Devmgmt.msc
Opens the device manager

Dfrg.msc
Opens Windows' disk defragmenter

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

Sysedit
Opens system configuration editor

System.ini
Windows loading information

Win.ini
Windows loading information

Winver
Shows current version of Windows

The following run commands access various parts of the Control Panel directly.

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

Netcpl.cpl
Network Properties

Password.cpl
Password Properties

Printers
Printers Folder

Mmsys.cpl sounds
Sound Properties

Sysdm.cpl
System Properties