Common Run commands to access various Windows settings and apps

There are a lot of different windows for configuring various settings in Windows. Unfortunately, finding the right window is not always easy. The Windows Settings menu often buries settings windows several layers deep, and they are often moved between major Windows updates, so it can be hard to find them. The Start menu search functionality isn’t always consistent or reliable, especially on Windows Server, and even the Windows Settings search can be hit or miss.

For a consistent way to access many settings and apps regardless of your Windows version, you can use a command prompt or the Run dialog box.

Opening the Run dialog box

There are two main ways to open the Run dialog box:

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard, or
2. Press Win to open the Start menu, type Run, and press Enter.

The Run dialog box will look something like this:

Opening a command prompt

Alternatively, you can open a command prompt, such as cmd or PowerShell. Here are two ways to do that:

1. Press Win + X to open the Windows X menu, then i to open PowerShell (use A instead to open a PowerShell Admin console).
2. Press Win to open the Start menu, type cmd or PowerShell, and press Enter.

Common Run commands

With either a command prompt or the Run dialog box open, type in one of the following commands and press Enter to open the corresponding Windows setting or app.

Note: If using a command prompt, it may need to be running As Admin to open some of these settings windows. A few commands only work from the Run dialog box and are marked as “(Run only)”.

Command	Description
.	Open current user folder (Run only)
appwiz.cpl	Programs and Features
C: (or any file or directory path)	Open the specified file or path (Run only)
charmap	Character Map
cleanmgr	Disk Cleanup
cmd	Command Prompt
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management
control	Control Panel
control admintools	Administrative Tools
control desktop	Personalization
control folders	File Explorer Options
control keyboard	Keyboard Properties
control mouse	Mouse Properties
control printers	Printers and Faxes
control schedtasks	Task Scheduler
control userpasswords2	User Accounts
control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter	Network and Sharing Center
control /name Microsoft.PowerOptions	Power Options
control /name Microsoft.System	System
control /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate	Windows Update
desk.cpl	Display Properties
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management
dxdiag	DirectX Diagnostic Tool
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer
explorer	Windows Explorer
firewall.cpl	Windows Firewall
gpedit.msc	Local Group Policy Editor
inetcpl.cpl	Internet Properties
inetmgr	IIS Manager (if installed) (Run only)
logoff	Log out of Windows without confirmation
lusrmgr.msc	Local Users and Groups
magnify	Magnifier
main.cpl	Mouse Settings
mdsched	Windows Memory Diagnostic
mmc	Microsoft Management Console
mmsys.cpl	Sound Properties
mrt	Malware Removal Tool
msconfig	System Configuration
msinfo32	System Information
mstsc	Remote Desktop Connection
ncpa.cpl	Network Connections
netplwiz	User Accounts
osk	On-Screen Keyboard
perfmon.msc	Performance Monitor
powercfg.cpl	Power Options
powershell	Windows PowerShell Console
psr	Steps Recorder
pwsh	PowerShell Core Console (if installed)
regedit	Registry Editor
resmon	Resource Monitor
secpol.msc	Local Security Policy
services.msc	Services
shutdown /r /t 0	Restart Windows without confirmation
shutdown /s /t 0	Shut down Windows without confirmation
snippingtool	Screenshot Snipping Tool
sysdm.cpl	System Properties
taskmgr	Task Manager
winver	About Windows
wscui.cpl	Security and Maintenance

This blog article was inspired by this LinkedIn post which shows how to define many of these in a PowerShell function that can be used to search for the command you want.

Conclusion

I hope you find this list of commands useful. If you have any other commands that you find valuable, please share them in the comments below and I might add them to this list.

Happy running!