Windows Run command box is a built-in feature included in all later versions of the Windows operating system since Windows 95. It is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to directly access various applications, system utilities, folders, settings, and more.

The Run box allows you to quickly open/access any app, tool, or setting in just 2 steps instead of sifting through the Settings, Control Panel, or other menus. As long as you know the corresponding Run command, you can access any tool or task. If you learn and remember these Run commands, it can help you be more productive in your day-to-day use.

Here we have compiled the complete list of Run commands that you can use in Windows 11 to reach your destination.

How to Open and Use the Run Command Box

To use Run commands, first, you need to know how to open the Run utility to type the commands. There are several ways to open the Run command box in Windows 11:

  • You can right-click the Start menu and select ‘Run’ from the flyout menu.
  • Press the shortcut keys Windows+R.
  • Open Windows search and search for ‘Run’ and select the top result.
  • Search for Run in the Windows Search and click the ‘Pin to Taskbar’. Then, click the ‘Run’ icon in the Taskbar to open the Run dialog box.

Once the Run dialog box opens up, type your command in the ‘Open:’ field and press Enter or click the ‘OK’ button to execute that command.

Most of these Run commands here (except Windows 11 Settings commands) are not case sensitive, so you can use lowercase, uppercase, or a mixture of both, it will work the same.

Most-used Run Commands for Windows 11

Here is the list of most popular and most used Run commands that you can use day-to-day to access the most popular applications and settings in Windows 11.

ActionRun Command
Opens the Command promptcmd
Access Windows 11 Control Panelcontrol
Opens the Registry Editorregedit
Opens the System Information windowmsconfig
Opens Services utilityservices.msc
Opens the File Explorerexplorer
Opens the Local Group Policy Editorgpedit.msc
Opens up Google Chromechrome
Opens up Mozilla Firefoxfirefox
Opens up Microsoft Edgeexplore or microsoft-edge:
Opens the System Configuration dialog boxmsconfig
Opens the Temporary files folder%temp% or temp
Opens the Disk Cleanup dialogcleanmgr
Opens the Task Managertaskmgr
Manage User Accountsnetplwiz
Access Programs and Features Control panelappwiz.cpl
Access Device Managerdevmgmt.msc or hdwwiz.cpl
Manage Windows Power optionspowercfg.cpl
Shuts down your Computershutdown
Opens the DirectX Diagnostic Tooldxdiag
Opens the Calculatorcalc
Check up on System Resource (Resource Monitor)resmon
Opens up an untitled Notepadnotepad
Access Power Optionspowercfg.cpl
Opens Computer Management consolecompmgmt.msc or compmgmtlauncher
Opens up the current user profile directory.
Open up the Users folder..
Open On-Screen Keyboardosk
Access Network Connectionsncpa.cpl or control netconnection
Access mouse propertiesmain.cpl or control mouse
Opens the Disk Management Utilitydiskmgmt.msc
Open up Remote Desktop Connectionmstsc
Open Windows PowerShell windowpowershell 
Access Folder Optionscontrol folders
Access Windows Defender Firewallfirewall.cpl
Logout of the Current User Accountlogoff
Open Microsoft Wordpadwrite
Open untitled MS Paintmspaint
Turn Windows Features On/Offoptionalfeatures
Open the C Drive\
Open System Properties dialogsysdm.cpl
Monitor the performance of the systemperfmon.msc
Open Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Toolmrt
Open Windows Character Map tablecharmap
Open Snipping Tool snippingtool
Check Windows Versionwinver
Open Microsoft Magnifiermagnify
Open Disk Partition Managerdiskpart
Open any websiteEnter Website URL
Open Disk Defragmenter utilitydfrgui
Open Windows Mobility Centermblctr

Control Panel Run Commands

The below Run commands can help you access various parts of the classic Control Panel or control applets directly:

actionRun Command
Open Time and Date propertiesTimedate.cpl
Open Fonts Control Panel folderFonts
Open Internet PropertiesInetcpl.cpl
Open Keyboard Propertiesmain.cpl keyboard
Open Mouse Propertiescontrol mouse
Access Sound propertiesmmsys.cpl
Open Sound control panel control mmsys.cpl sounds
Access Devices and Printers propertiescontrol printers
Open Administrative Tools (Windows Tools) folder in Control Panel.control admintools
Open Region properties – Language, Date/Time format, keyboard locale.intl.cpl
Access Security and Maintenance Control Panel.wscui.cpl
Control Display settingsdesk.cpl
Control Personalization settingsControl desktop
Manage current user accountcontrol userpasswords or control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts
Open User Accounts dialog boxcontrol userpasswords2
Open Add a Device Wizarddevicepairingwizard
Create a System Repair Discrecdisc
Create A Shared Folder Wizardshrpubw
Open Task SchedulerControl schedtasks or taskschd.msc
Access Windows Firewall with Advanced Securitywf.msc
Open Data Execution Prevention (DEP) featuresystempropertiesdataexecutionprevention
Access System Restore feature rstrui
Open Shared Folders windowfsmgmt.msc
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

This section contains the complete list of Run commands that can help you can access the settings in the Windows 11 Settings app.

Windows 11 Settings – System settings

Action Run Command
Open Settings app home pagems-settings:
Adjust 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
Configure Notifications settingsms-settings:notifications
Configure 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 options – Reset/Go Back/Advanced startupms-settings:recovery
Projecting to this PCms-settings:project
Open Remote Desktop settingsms-settings:remotedesktop
Open Clipboard settingsms-settings:clipboard
Open About settings page (Device and Windows specification, Related settings)ms-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 & device settings

action Run Command
Open Devices settingsms-settings:connecteddevices or ms-settings:bluetooth
Open Printers & Scanner settingsms-settings:printers
Configure Touchpad settingsms-settings:devices-touchpad
Access AutoPlay settings for media and devicesms-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
Open AutoPlay settingsms-settings:autoplay

Windows 11 Settings – Network & Internet settings

action Run 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
Configure Proxy server (Ethernet and WiFi)ms-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 – Personalization settings

actioncommand
Open all Personalization settings ms-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
Configure Taskbar settingsms-settings:taskbar
Change Themesms-settings:themes
Open Device Usage settingsms-settings:deviceusage

Windows 11 Settings – Apps settings

actioncommand
Open Apps and Features settingsms-settings:appsfeatures
Set Default appsms-settings:defaultapps
Open Offline maps settingsms-settings:maps
Configure Optional features Configure Optional features
Open Apps for websites settings pagems-settings:appsforwebsites
Download Offline mapsms-settings:maps-downloadmaps
Configure Optional features Configure Optional features
Open Video playback settingsms-settings:videoplayback
Configure Startup Appsms-settings:startupapps

Windows 11 Settings – Accounts settings

actioncommand
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 setup ms-settings:signinoptions-launchfingerprintenrollment
Open Windows Hello Security Key setup ms-settings:signinoptions-launchsecuritykeyenrollment

Windows 11 Settings – Time & language settings

actioncommand
Access Date & Time settingsms-settings:dateandtime
Configure 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 – Accessibility settings

actioncommand
Adjust Text size for Windows and appsms-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 – Privacy & security settings

actionRun Command
Open Privacy settings pagems-settings:privacy
View protection area under Windows Securityms-settings:windowsdefender
Mange Activity history across devices and accountsms-settings:privacy-activityhistory
Access 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
Access 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 settings ms-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 settings ms-settings:privacy-microphone
Open Notifications access settings ms-settings:privacy-notifications
Configure Account info access for appsms-settings:privacy-accountinfo
Open Pictures library access settings ms-settings:privacy-pictures
Open Radio control access settingsms-settings:privacy-radios
Open tasks access settings ms-settings:privacy-tasks
Open Videos library access settings ms-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 – Windows Update settings

action Run Command
Open Windows Update settingsms-settings:windowsupdate
Check for updates on the Windows Update pagems-settings:windowsupdate-action
Access 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

Other Settings Run Commands

actionRun Command
Access Windows Update settingsControl update
Ease of Access Accessibility settingsutilman
Set Defaults for applicationcomputerdefaults
To update Group Policy Settingsgpupdate
To 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

IP Config Commands

The ipconfig stands for Internet Protocol Configuration is a command-line utility designed to run from the Windows Run or command prompt that allows you to view and manage the IP address, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and DNS (Domain Name Server) assigned to the computer. The following Run commands can be used by the network or system administrator and others to manage or troubleshoot a network:

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

Run Commands for Folder Locations

These commands can help you quickly access 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. F:\Songs\Artists\Adele)
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%

App Access Run Commands

You can use the below Run commands to launch various apps (if installed) on your computer.

Actionrun command
Launch Windows Skype Appskype
Launch Microsoft Excelexcel
Launch Microsoft Wordwinword
Launch Microsoft PowerPointpowerpnt
Open Windows Media Playerwmplayer
Launch Microsoft Paint mspaint
Launch Microsoft Accessaccess
Launch Microsoft Outlookoutlook
Launch Microsoft Storems-windows-store:

Windows Tools Run Commands

The Run command shortcuts in the below list allow you to quickly access a multitude of Windows tools and utilities.

ActionCommand
Open Phone Dialerdialer
Open Windows Security Program (Windows Defender Antivirus)windowsdefender:
Open Displaying Message On Screenecho
Open Event Viewereventvwr.msc
Open Bluetooth Transfer Wizardfsquirt
Open Know the file and volume utilitiesfsutil
Open Certificate Managercertmgr.msc
View Windows Installer detailsmsiexec
Compare files in Command Promptcomp
To Start File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program at the MS-DOS promptftp
Launch Driver Verifier Utilityverifier
Open Local Security Policy Editorsecpol.msc
To get Volume Serial Number for C: drivelabel
Open Migration Wizardmigwiz
Configure Game Controllersjoy.cpl
Open File Signature Verification Toolsigverif
Open Private Character Editoreudcedit
Access Microsoft Component Servicesdcomcnfg or comexp.msc
Open Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) consoledsa.msc
Open Active Directory Sites and Services tooldssite.msc
Open Resultant Set of Policy Editorrsop.msc
Open Windows Address Book Import Utility.wabmig
Setup Phone and Modem Connectionstelephon.cpl
Open Remote Access Phonebookrasphone
Open ODBC Data Source Administratorodbcad32
Open SQL Server Client Network Utilitycliconfg
Open IExpress wizardiexpress
Open Problem Steps Recorderpsr
Open Voice Recordervoicerecorder
Backup and restore user names and passwordscredwiz
Open System Properties (Advanced Tab) dialog boxsystempropertiesadvanced
Open System Properties (Computer Name Tab) dialog box systempropertiescomputername
Open System Properties (Hardware Tab) dialog box systempropertieshardware
Open System Properties (Remote Tab) dialog box systempropertiesremote
Open System Properties (System Protection Tab) dialog box systempropertiesprotection
Open Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tooliscsicpl
Open Color Management toolcolorcpl
Open ClearType Text Tuner wizardcttune
Open Digitizer Calibration Tooltabcal
Access Encrypting File Wizardrekeywiz
Open Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tooltpm.msc
Open Fax Cover Page Editorfxscover
Open Narratornarrator
Open Print Management toolprintmanagement.msc
Open Windows PowerShell ISE windowpowershell_ise
Open Windows Management Instrumentation Tester toolwbemtest
Open DVD Playerdvdplay
Open Microsoft Management Consolemmc
Execute a Visual Basic Scriptwscript Name_Of_Script.VBS (e.g. wscript Csscript.vbs)

Other Useful Run Commands

Here is the list of other useful Run commands:

actionrun command
Install or Uninstall Display Language lpksetup
Open Microsoft Support Diagnostic Toolmsdt
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Management consolewmimgmt.msc
Open Windows Disc Image Burning Toolisoburn
Open XPS Viewerxpsrchvw
Open DPAPI Key Migration Wizarddpapimig
Open Authorization Manager azman.msc
Access Location Activitylocationnotifications
Open Font Viewerfontview
New Scan Wizardwiaacmgr
Open Printer Migration toolprintbrmui
View ODBC Driver Configuration and Usage dialogodbcconf
View Printer User Interfaceprintui
Open Protected Content Migration dialogdpapimig
Control Volume Mixersndvol
Open Windows Action Centerwscui.cpl
Access Windows Memory Diagnostic Schedulermdsched
Access Windows Picture Acquisition Wizardwiaacmgr
View Windows Update Standalone Installer detailswusa
Get Windows Help and Supportwinhlp32
Open Tablet PC Input Paneltabtip
Open NAP Client Configuration toolnapclcfg
Edit Environment Variablesrundll32.exe sysdm.cpl,EditEnvironmentVariables
See Font previewfontview FONT NAME.ttf (replace ‘FONT NAME’ with the name of the font you would like to view (e.g. font view arial.ttf)
Create a Windows Password Reset Disk (USB)“C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe” keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW
Open computer’s Reliability Monitorperfmon /rel
Open User Profiles settings – Edit/Change typeC:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe sysdm.cpl,EditUserProfiles
Open Boot Optionsbootim

How to Clear Run Command History in Windows 11

Like your web browser, the Run box stores the history of all the commands that you ever typed in the box. Whenever you open the Run command box and type the first letter of a command in the ‘Open:’ field, it will auto-suggest all the matching commands that you ever typed in a drop-down menu (as shown below).

It can get a bit messy if you have used a lot of commands and also if someone else uses your computer after you, they can see your command history. If you don’t want that, you can easily remove all or some entries from the command history. Follow these steps to delete the Run command history in Windows 11.

First, open the Run command box by typing shortcut keys Win+R. Then, type regedit and hit Enter or click ‘OK’.

If the User Account Control dialog box asks you whether you want to allow this app to make changes to your device, click ‘Yes’ to continue.

Next, navigate to the following path using the left panel or type/copy it directly in the address bar and press Enter:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

When you reach the ‘RunMRU’ key, you will see a list of DWORD entries like a, b, c, d, etc on the right window pane as shown below. These lettered entries except ‘Default’ and ‘MRUList’ are your Run command history. Now you can either clear entire the Run history by deleting all of them or only specific history entries by deleting some entries. Whatever you do Do NOT delete the entries named “Default” and “MRUList”, as these are system files.

To delete the history, select the entries and hit the Delete key or right-click and select ‘Delete’.

On the Confirm Value Delete box, click ‘Yes’ to delete them.

That’s it.