[Ultimate Guide] Windows 11 Run Commands List

The Windows Run command box is a easy way to access Windows settings, tools and apps. It’s a built-in feature in Windows OS since Windows 95. Through the Windows Run command box, you can easily open any Windows settings, tools or apps in just 2 steps. Once you’re familiar with these Run commands, you’ll be more productive when working on a Windows 11 computer.

This post collects a complete list of Run commands that you can use in Windows 11. Most of them can also be used on Windows 10, 8.1 and even Windows 7.

TOC

How to access the Run command box

There are more than one way to access the Run command box. Here I’ll introduce three different methods to access it:

1. Use the keyboard combination

The easiest way to open the Run command box is use the keyboard combination. Simply press the Windows logo key and R at the same time on your keyboard, the Run command box will pop up.

The Windows logo key + R

2. Right-click on the Start menu

You can also access the Run command box via the Start menu. Just right-click on the Start menu, then select Run.

Start menu - Run

3. Search for Run

You can also simply press the Windows logo key on your keyboard and type run. Then select the top result to open the Run command box.

search for run

Most-used Run commands for Windows 11

Below is the list of most frequently used Run commands that can help you access the most popular apps and settings in Windows 11 in just 2 steps.

ActionRun command
Open Command Promptcmd
Open Control Panelcontrol
Open Registry Editorregedit
Open File Explorerexplorer
Open Services utilityservices.msc
Open Local Group Policy Editorgpedit.msc
Open the System Configuration dialog boxmsconfig
Open the Temporary files folder%temp% or temp
Open Device Managerdevmgmt.msc or hdwwiz.cpl
Shuts down your computershutdown
Manage Windows Power optionspowercfg.cpl
Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tooldxdiag
Open Resource Monitorresmon
Open Performance Monitorperfmon.msc
Open Computer Management consolecompmgmt.msc or compmgmtlauncher
Access Network Connectionsncpa.cpl or control netconnection
Open the current user profile directory.
Open the Users folder..
Open Remote Desktop Connectionmstsc
Access File Explorer Optionscontrol folders
Turn Windows Features On/Offoptionalfeatures
Check Windows Versionwinver
Open Disk Partition Managerdiskpart
Open Disk Defragmenter utilitydfrgui
Open Windows Mobility Center (available only on laptops)mblctr
Access Mouse Propertiesmain.cpl or control mouse
Access Windows Defender Firewallfirewall.cpl
Open System Properties windowsysdm.cpl
Open any websiteEnter Website URL
Open Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Toolmrt

Control Panel Run commands

Here is the list of Run commands that can help you access different part of Control Panel or control applets directly:

ActionRun command
Access Sound propertiesmmsys.cpl
Access Devices and Printers propertiescontrol printers
Open Add a Device Wizarddevicepairingwizard
Open Time and Date propertiesTimedate.cpl
Open Region properties โ€“ Language, Date/Time format, keyboard localeintl.cpl
Open Fonts Control Panel folderFonts
Open Internet PropertiesInetcpl.cpl
Open Keyboard Propertiesmain.cpl keyboard
Open Mouse Propertiescontrol mouse
Open Administrative Tools (Windows Tools) folder in Control Panelcontrol admintools
Access Security and Maintenance Control Panelwscui.cpl
Control Display settings (in Windows Settings)desk.cpl
Control Personalization settings (in Windows Settings)Control desktop
Manage current user accountcontrol userpasswords or control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts
Open User Accounts dialog boxcontrol userpasswords2
Create a System Repair Discrecdisc
Create A Shared Folder Wizardshrpubw
Open Shared Folders windowfsmgmt.msc
Create a System Repair Discrecdisc
Open Task SchedulerControl schedtasks or taskschd.msc
Access Windows Firewall with Advanced Securitywf.msc
Open Data Execution Prevention (DEP) featuresystempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
Access System Restore featurerstrui
Access Performance Optionssystempropertiesperformance
Access Pen and Touch optionstabletpc.cpl
Control Display Color Calibrationdccw
Adjust User Account Control (UAC) SettingsUserAccountControlSettings
Open Microsoft Sync Centermobsync
Access Backup and Restore control panelsdclt
View and Change Windows Activation settingsslui
Open Windows Fax and Scan utilitywfs
Open Ease of Access Centercontrol access.cpl
Install a program from the networkcontrol appwiz.cpl,,1

Windows 11 Settings Run commands

In this part, you’ll find a complete list of Run command that helps you access the settings in the Windows 11 Settings app.

Windows 11 Settings – System

ActionRun command
Open Settings app home pagems-settings:
Open Display settingsdpiscaling or ms-settings:display
Open Sound settingsms-settings:sound
Manage Sound Devices(Input/Output Devices)ms-settings:sound-devices
Open Sound Mixer settingsms-settings:apps-volume
Open Sound Mixer dialog boxsndvol
Adjust Sound Mixer settingsms-settings:apps-volume
Open Notifications settingsms-settings:notifications
Open Focus assist settingsms-settings:quiethours
Change Power & Battery settingsms-settings:batterysaver-settings or ms-settings:powersleep
Open Storage Settingsms-settings:storagesense
Configure Storage Sensems-settings:storagepolicies
Open Nearby Sharing optionsms-settings:crossdevice
Configure Multitaskingms-settings:multitasking
Open Windows Activation settingsms-settings:activation
Open Windows Troubleshoot Settingscontrol.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting or ms-settings:troubleshoot
Open Recovery settingsms-settings:recovery
Open Projecting to this PC settingsms-settings:project
Open Remote Desktop settingsms-settings:remotedesktop
Open Clipboard settingsms-settings:clipboard
Open About settings pagems-settings:about
Adjust Graphics preference settingsms-settings:display-advancedgraphics
Change the Night light settingsms-settings:nightlight
Change where new content is savedms-settings:savelocations

Windows 11 Settings – Bluetooth & devices

ActionRun command
Open Devices settingsms-settings:connecteddevices or ms-settings:bluetooth
Open Printers & Scanner settingsms-settings:printers
Open Touchpad settingsms-settings:devices-touchpad
Open AutoPlay settingsms-settings:autoplay
Open Cameras Settingsms-settings:camera
Open Pen and Windows Ink settingsms-settings:pen
Open Your Phone settingsms-settings:mobile-devices
Open USB settingsms-settings:usb
Open Mouse settingsms-settings:mousetouchpad

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Network & internet

ActionRun command
Open Network & Internet settings panelms-settings:network
Connect and manage WiFi settingsms-settings:network-wifi
Manage known Wi-Fi networksms-settings:network-wifisettings
Manage Ethernet Network settingsms-settings:network-ethernet
Add, connect, and Manage VPNms-settings:network-vpn
Open Mobile Hotspot settingsms-settings:network-mobilehotspot
Set up a dial-up internet connectionms-settings:network-dialup
Open Proxy settingsms-settings:network-proxy
View Network Statusms-settings:network-status
Open Airplane mode (Wireless/Bluetooth) settingsms-settings:network-airplanemode or ms-settings:proximity
View data usagems-settings:datausage

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Personalization

ActionRun command
Open all Personalization settingsms-settings:personalization
Customize Background settingsms-settings:personalization-background
Customize Color settingsms-settings:personalization-colors or ms-settings:colors
Customize Start Menums-settings:personalization-start
Choose which folders appear on Start next to the Power buttonms-settings:personalization-start-places
Customize Lock Screenms-settings:lockscreen
Add or change Fontsms-settings:fonts
Open Taskbar settingsms-settings:taskbar
Change Themesms-settings:themes
Open Device Usage settingsms-settings:deviceusage

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Apps

ActionRun command
Open Apps and Features settingsms-settings:appsfeatures
Open Default apps settingsms-settings:defaultapps or
computerdefaults
Open Offline maps settingsms-settings:maps
Configure Optional featuresms-settings:optionalfeatures
Open Apps for websites settings pagems-settings:appsforwebsites
Download Offline mapsms-settings:maps-downloadmaps
Open Video playback settingsms-settings:videoplayback
Configure Startup Appsms-settings:startupapps

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Accounts

ActionRun command
View all Accounts settingsms-settings:accounts
View Your Accounts Infoms-settings:yourinfo
Access Email & app accounts settingsms-settings:emailandaccounts
Open Family & other users account settingsms-settings:family-group or ms-settings:otherusers
Set up a kioskms-settings:assignedaccess
Open Windows Sign-in Optionsms-settings:signinoptions
Access Work or School accountsms-settings:workplace
Open Windows backup (Sync) settingsms-settings:sync or ms-settings:backup
Open Dynamic lock settingsms-settings:signinoptions-dynamiclock
Open Windows Hello setupms-settings:signinoptions-launchfaceenrollment
Open Windows Hello Fingerprint setupms-settings:signinoptions-launchfingerprintenrollment
Open Windows Hello Security Key setupms-settings:signinoptions-launchsecuritykeyenrollment

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Time & language

ActionRun command
Open Date & Time settingsms-settings:dateandtime
Open Language and Region settingsms-settings:regionformatting
Open Typing and keyboard settingsms-settings:typing
Open Speech settings (Speech language, Microphone, Voices)ms-settings:speech

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Accessibility

ActionRun command
Open Accessibility settingsutilman
Open Text size settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-display
Change Text Cursor settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-cursor
Open Visual Effects settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-visualeffects
Open Mouse Pointer and Touch settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-mousepointer
Open Magnifier settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-magnifier
Open Color Filters settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-colorfilter
Change Contrast settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast
Open Narrator settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator
Start Narrator after/before sign-inms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator-isautostartenabled
Open Accessibility Audio settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-audio
Access Closed Captioning optionsms-settings:easeofaccess-closedcaptioning
Open Keyboard settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-keyboard
Open Mouse settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-mouse
Change Speech recognition settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-speechrecognition
Open Eye Control settingsms-settings:easeofaccess-eyecontrol

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Privacy & security

ActionRun command
Open Privacy settingsms-settings:privacy
Open Windows Security settingsms-settings:windowsdefender
Mange Activity history across devices and accountsms-settings:privacy-activityhistory
Open Find My Device optionsms-settings:findmydevice
Open developers optionsms-settings:developers
Access General Windows permissionsms-settings:privacy-general
Open Online Speech recognition settingsms-settings:privacy-speech
Open Feedback & diagnostics settingsms-settings:privacy-feedback
Open Inking & Typing personalization settingsms-settings:privacy-speechtyping
Open Search Permissions settingsms-settings:search-permissions
Open Windows Searching settingsms-settings:cortana-windowssearch
Open Automatic online file downloads permissions settingms-settings:privacy-automaticfiledownloads
Open File System access settingsms-settings:privacy-broadfilesystemaccess
Open Calendar access settingsms-settings:privacy-calendar
Open Phone Call access settingsms-settings:privacy-phonecalls
Open Call history access settingsms-settings:privacy-callhistory
Open Contacts access settingsms-settings:privacy-contacts
Open Unpaired devices access settingsms-settings:privacy-customdevices
Open Documents Library access settingsms-settings:privacy-documents
Open Email access settingsms-settings:privacy-email
Open App Diagnostics access settingsms-settings:privacy-appdiagnostics
Open Location access settingsms-settings:privacy-location
Open Messaging access settingsms-settings:privacy-messaging
Open Microphone access settingsms-settings:privacy-microphone
Open Notifications access settingsms-settings:privacy-notifications
Configure Account info access for appsms-settings:privacy-accountinfo
Open Pictures library access settingsms-settings:privacy-pictures
Open Radio control access settingsms-settings:privacy-radios
Open tasks access settingsms-settings:privacy-tasks
Open Videos library access settingsms-settings:privacy-videos
Open Voice Activation access settingsms-settings:privacy-voiceactivation
Open Camera Access settingsms-settings:privacy-webcam
Open Music Library access settingsms-settings:privacy-musiclibrary

Windows 11 Settings โ€“ Windows Update

ActionRun command
Open Windows Update settingsms-settings:windowsupdate or ms-settings:windowsupdate-action or control update
Open Windows Update Advanced optionsms-settings:windowsupdate-options
View Windows Update Historyms-settings:windowsupdate-history
View Optional updatesms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates
Schedule the restartms-settings:windowsupdate-restartoptions
Open Delivery Optimization settingsms-settings:delivery-optimization
Join the Windows Insider Programms-settings:windowsinsider

Run commands for folder locations

The Run commands below can help you quickly visit various Windows folders:

ActionRun command
Open Recent files Folderrecent
Open Documents Folderdocuments
Open Downloads Folderdownloads
Open Favorites Folderfavorites
Open Pictures Folderpictures
Open Videos foldervideos
Open Specific drive or Folder locationType Drive name followed by a colon (e.g. D:)
or Folder path (e.g. E:\Bin\Books)
Open OneDrive folderonedrive
Open all Apps foldershell:AppsFolder
Open Windows Address Bookwab
Open App Data folder%AppData%
Access Debug Folderdebug
Open current user directoryexplorer.exe .
Open Windows Root Drive%systemdrive%

IP config commands

ACTIONRUN COMMAND
Display information about IP configuration and the address of every adapter.ipconfig/all
Release all local IP addresses and loose connections.ipconfig/release
Renew all local IP addresses and reconnect to the internet and network.ipconfig/renew
View your DNS cache contents.ipconfig/displaydns
Delete DNS Cache contentsipconfig/flushdns
Refresh DHCP and Re-register your DNS Names and IP Addressesipconfig/registerdns
Display DHCP Class IDipconfig/showclassid
Modify DHCP Class IDipconfig/setclassid

Other useful Run commands

ActionRun command
Update Group Policy Settingsgpupdate
Switch Projector displaydisplayswitch
Open Gaming mode settingsms-settings:gaming-gamemode
Access Presentation Settingspresentationsettings
Control Windows Script Host Settingswscript
Connect to a wireless displayms-settings-connectabledevices:devicediscovery
Open Event Viewereventvwr.msc
Open Certificate Managercertmgr.msc
Launch Driver Verifier Utilityverifier
Open Local Security Policy Editorsecpol.msc
Configure Game Controllersjoy.cpl
Open File Signature Verification Toolsigverif
Backup and restore user names and passwordscredwiz
Open System Properties (Advanced Tab)systempropertiesadvanced
Open System Properties (Computer Name Tab)systempropertiescomputername
Open System Properties (Hardware Tab)systempropertieshardware
Open System Properties (Remote Tab)systempropertiesremote
Open System Properties (System Protection Tab)systempropertiesprotection
Open Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tooltpm.msc

That’s it! The Run box remembers all the commands you executed. So, the next time you want to use the Run command, you only need to type the first letter to select the command.


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