Windows XP Run Commands and Shortcuts
Windows XP Home / Pro Run Commands and Short Cuts
How To - Click Start, Click Run and enter the command Click OK
Run commands
Calc - Calculator
Cfgwiz32 - ISDN Configuration Wizard
Charmap - Character Map
Chkdisk - Repair damaged files
Cleanmgr - Cleans up hard drives
Clipbrd - Windows Clipboard viewer
Cmd - Opens a new Command Window (cmd.exe)
Control - Displays Control Panel
Dcomcnfg - DCOM user security
Debug - Assembly language programming tool
Defrag - Defragmentation tool
Drwatson - Records programs crash & snapshots
Dxdiag - DirectX Diagnostic Utility
Explorer - Windows Explorer
Fontview - Graphical font viewer
Ftp - ftp.exe program
Hostname - Returns Computer's name
Ipconfig - Displays IP configuration for all network adapters
Jview - Microsoft Command-line Loader for Java classes
MMC - Microsoft Management Console
Msconfig - Configuration to edit startup files
Msinfo32 - Microsoft System Information Utility
Nbtstat - Displays stats and current connections using NetBios over TCP/IP
Netstat - Displays all active network connections
Nslookup - Returns your local DNS server
Odbcad32 - ODBC Data Source Administrator
Ping - Sends data to a specified host/IP
Regedit - registry Editor
Regsvr32 - register/de-register DLL/OCX/ActiveX
Regwiz - Reistration wizard
Sfc /scannow - Sytem File Checker
Sndrec32 - Sound Recorder
Sndvol32 - Volume control for soundcard
Sysedit - Edit system startup files (config.sys, autoexec.bat, win.ini, etc.)
Systeminfo - display various system information in text console
Taskmgr - Task manager
Telnet - Telnet program
Taskkill - kill processes using command line interface
Tskill - reduced version of Taskkill from Windows XP Home
Tracert - Traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host
Winchat - simple chat program for Windows networks
Winipcfg - Displays IP configuration
Management Consoles
certmgr.msc - Certificate Manager
ciadv.msc - Indexing Service
compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
dfrg.msc - Defragment
diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
fsmgmt.msc - Folder Sharing Management
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
gpedit.msc - Group Policy -XP Pro only
iis.msc - Internet Information Services
lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups
mscorcfg.msc - Net configurations
ntmsmgr.msc - Removable Storage
perfmon.msc - Performance Manager
secpol.msc - Local Security Policy
services.msc - System Services
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management
Shortcuts
access.cpl - Accessibility Options
hdwwiz.cpl - Add New Hardware Wizard
appwiz.cpl - dd/Remove Programs
timedate.cpl - Date and Time Properties
desk.cpl - Display Properties
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
joy.cpl - Joystick Properties
main.cpl keboard - Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
ncpl.cpl - Network Properties
telephon.cpl - Phone and Modem options
powercfg.cpl - Power Management
intl.cpl - Regional settings
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
mmsys.cpl - Sounds and Audio Device Properties
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
nusrmgr.cpl - User settings
firewall.cpl - Firewall Settings (sp2)
wscui.cpl - Security Center (sp2)
Windows Environment Commands
%ALLUSERSPROFILE% - Open the All User's Profile
%HomeDrive% - Opens your home drive e.g. C:\
%UserProfile% - Opens you User's Profile
%temp% Opens - temporary file Folder
%systemroot% - Opens Windows folder
Wupdmgr - Takes you to Microsoft Windows Update
General keyboard shortcuts
CTRL+C(Copy)
CTRL+X (Cut)
CTRL+Z (Undo)
DELETE (Delete)
SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
F2 key (Rename the selected item)
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
CTRL+A (Select all)
F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
F5 key (Update the active window)
BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
ESC (Cancel the current task)
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager) Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
If you press SHIFT+F8 in extended selection list boxes, you enable extended selection mode. In this mode, you can use an arrow key to move a cursor without changing the selection. You can press CTRL+SPACEBAR or SHIFT+SPACEBAR to adjust the selection. To cancel extended selection mode, press SHIFT+F8 again. Extended selection mode cancels itself when you move the focus to another control.
CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
TAB (Move forward through the options)
SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
F1 key (Display Help)
F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)
Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts
Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restore the minimized windows)
Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)
Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)
Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
END (Display the bottom of the active window)
HOME (Display the top of the active window)
NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)
Shortcut keys for Character Map
After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts
RIGHT ARROW (Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line)
LEFT ARROW (Move to the left or to the end of the previous line)
UP ARROW (Move up one row)
DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
END (Move to the end of the line)
CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts
• CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
CTRL+N (Open a new console)
CTRL+S (Save the open console)
CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
CTRL+W (Open a new window)
F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
ALT+F4 (Close the console) • ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
ALT+V (Display the View menu)
ALT+F (Display the File menu)
ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)
MMC console window keyboard shortcuts
CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
F2 key (Rename the selected item)
CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)
Remote desktop connection navigation
CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation
CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box, the same as CTRL+L)
CTRL+R (Update the current Web page)
CTRL+ CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
W (Close the current window)
Note Some keyboard shortcuts may not work if StickyKeys is turned on in Accessibility Options, Some of the Terminal Services client shortcuts that are similar to the shortcuts in Remote Desktop Sharing are not available when you use Remote Assistance in Windows XP Home Edition.
Thanks to The New Tech for the original forum posting.
Microsoft Office run commands
If the Microsoft Office is installed you can use following run commands to run its components:
winword – Microsoft Word
excel – Microsoft Excel
powerpnt – Microsoft PowerPoint
msaccess – Microsoft Access
outlook – Microsoft Outlook
ois – Microsoft Picture Manager


53 comments on “Windows XP Run Commands and Shortcuts”
01

good utility
02

How to send a file “deletion” command through Run Command?
03

I don’t think that it’s possible to delete files via Run Command. You probably will need to use Command Prompt (cmd in Run) and there you just type “del filename”. If filename is with white space (e.g. Program Files) use double quotes (“”) to encapsulate the filename.
04

These are very useful commands. Thanks.
05

i think to delete a file from the run box you can if you like cheat by trying cmd.exe /k del filename /q
i hope im right and that it helps
06

Does anyone know how you setup new commands in the Run menu?
ie. you can type “firefox”, “winword” or “excel” into the Run box and the applications open, but others won’t.
There must be some way of linking applications with this path, maybe in the system registry?
There’s no firefox.* files in my system path directories:
Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Subversion\bin;c:\Program Files\Microsoft
SQL Server\90\Tools\binn\
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks
07

Hello Glenn,
it’s quite simple. All you have to do is add a new key into Windows registry under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
with name of the command with .exe at the end. Into this key create a new string variable named “Path” and put as value path to directory with your executable. To a “(Default)” variable insert as value path to executable.
Now just type name of your command (can be without .exe at the end) and enjoy. You even don’t have to restart the computer.
08

This each every lines are helped me thank u
09

This is awesome, thanks very much.
10

thanxz
11

Really gr8 work done!!!!
Thnx
12

I was searching for Xp shortcuts. Luckily i got all the shortcuts in single place.
That was superb n nice..
great going..
13

Anyone Know The Key In Command To See Everything Ever Done On Your PC
14

thanks
15

Hey Peter ……
thanks for that !
16

thanx…really which is usefull
17

thanks a lot for these commands.
18

what is the run command to open out look express
19

Thank u, all the commands are so good. If any new commands related to Unix and any windows related please send to the above mentioned mail.
20

Thanks!
21

There are two important commands those are not listed in http://foliovision.com/seo-tools/computers/windows/xp-run-commands/ . They are Winchat.exe and Cmd>Systeminfo . Thus, the list is incomplete. Thank you!
22

This is the most useful thing I’ve ever found on net……….Thanx Pal
23

is there a “Run Command” code that allows to instantly shut every program that is running?
24

Hello David,
use taskkill.
taskkill /?
will get you all the information. You can create all kinds of selections using /FI filters specifying which processes will be killed.
It’s hard to create a rule which will kill all the processes and not kill your whole Windows, though.
This feature does not apply to Windows XP Home. You have to use more simple tskill there.
Use it carefully!
M.
25

Thanks – you helped me find my Character Map!!
26

Thanks – you helped me
27

Sweet list. Thanks!
28

Is there any “run command” to open Interner Explorer.
29

Hi Naresh,
I tested this one on IE6 and IE7:
“C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe”
Don’t forget to include the quotes.
Thank you,
M.
30

Does anyone know how to run the setup file for a CD if it doesn’t run automatically?
31

Thank you very good compilation
32

what it is shortcut for the office components such as word, excel,etc…..
33

Hello Morris,
you can run Microsoft Office components by following run commands from command line:
winword – Microsoft Word
excel – Microsoft Excel
powerpnt – Microsoft PowerPoint
msaccess – Microsoft Access
outlook – Microsoft Outlook
ois – Microsoft Picture Manager
Thanks
34

Hello Chris,
you can run a setup file manually. You have to right click on cd(dvd)-rom in MyComputer and then click “Open”. Then you have to find a setup file.
You can also click “AutoPlay” to execute autorun, when you right click on the cd(dvd)-rom.
If autorun doesn’t work, you have to follow steps on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330135/en-us for turn-on the AutoPlay feature.
Thanks
35

hola a todos..
muy bueno el contenido..
saben me gustaria saber los comandos de control de volumen(aumentar, disminuir, mute, etc…),
me pueden ayudar …??
gracias…
36

Hello Pedro,
Windows doesn’t have any mechanism to control sound volume by commands or key-shortcut.
You have to download program for this issue. Here two program, which can help you:
mute.exe
setvol.exe
Mute control:
You can switch on/off sound by command:
"<mute.exe location>\mute.exe"Or you can switch on/off manually by command:
"<mute.exe location>\mute.exe" on"<mute.exe location>\mute.exe" offSound volume control:
You can set from 0 to 100 per cent of sound volume by:
"<setvol.exe location>\setvol.exe" 50(This example set system sound volume to half)And finally You can increase or decrease volume by:
"<setvol.exe location>\setvol.exe" +10(increase sound volume by 10%)"<setvol.exe location>\setvol.exe" -10(decrease sound volume by 10%)Key shortcuts:
I recommend to create three shortcuts with targets:
"<mute.exe location>\mute.exe""<setvol.exe location>\setvol.exe" -10"<setvol.exe location>\setvol.exe" +10You can set key-shortcuts in properties of each shortcut. Shortcuts have to be placed in startmenu or desktop, otherwise they won’t work. You have to be careful in choosing key-shortcuts, because if another program uses your key-shortcut, your shortcut won’t work. If desktop shortcut is a shortcut to another shortcut, its key-shortcut won’t work too.
You can also try another way for mutting sound volume by using a script. The method is described at the bottom of page http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1468591.php.
I hope, that the information will be useful.
Thanks
37

Also, add odbcad32.exe for the ODBC Data Source Administrator.
38

[MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
hola busco la manera de enviar por mi propia red local el comando run a otros equipos para que ejecuten ciertos programas o conexiones a un equipo en particular ej.:
\\AnotherLanPC
y que vea los compartidos por ese equipo.
hi there i’m looking the way to send the run windows others pcs over my lan like
i pc1 send run windows to pc2 this way pc2 can c what i’m sharing
is this possible?? i can’t find the filename for windows run.
\\pc1
39

Hi Xdc,
We don’t exactly know what do you mean.
If you want to run windows from another computer from via your LAN, you can use WOL (wake on LAN) feature, which have to be supported by network card and motherboard. The feature allows to you wake up (when a computer is in hibernate state) or power on (when a computer is power off) via LAN. You have to download a WOL software for control the computers. There are many free WOL software on the Internet.
The software needs some information (e.g. MAC address) to control power on or wake up computers.
Thanks,
Matej
40

Thanks for reply
Matej
the Question is, i’m in a college and i’m teacher i want to send students the run windows with the address of my shared folder e.g.
\\TeacherPC
and this run on every pc in class.
thx in advance.
sorry about my english i’m chilean and just try to type your language hehe.
41

Hello Xdc,
I think, that I finally undarstand your problem.
You want to open the file manager windows on remote computers, you don’t want to run Windows OS there remotely.
You can open window with path by writting a path to the run area in start menu or by writting command:
explorer <the path>.Problem is, that it works only on your local computer.
You have to download the program for remote program execution. You will need the same admin accounts on remote computers with simple password. The admin users may not be logged in remote computers when you will want to run applications remotely.
You have to cheat a little bit, because when you will run explorer with path, no window will appeared. You have to run Internet Explorer with path.
Here is command, which you have to write to command line:
"<psExec_directory_path>\psexec.exe" -d -u <remote_adminUser_name> -p <remote_adminUser_password> -i <remote_computer_name(or comma separated names)> "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe" <Window_path>When you won’t use the switch -p with the password, then it will be requested from you after executing the command.
Here is an example you can use:
"C:\Documents and Settings\Teacher\My Documents\PsTools\psexec.exe" -d -u adminUser -i \\Student_1 "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe" \\Teachers_computerDon’t forget the quotes!
I hope, that I helped you.
Thanks,
Matej
42

hey Matej i’ve forget about pstools. i has used it before thx to remember me about it, thx for quick replies and for examples.
43

Hello rick,
thanks for suggestion, it’s added.
44

here is another i use often.
control userpasswords2
isn’t listed here.
45

The information from “peter at November 28th, 2008 around 2:04 am” was very helpful.
Thanx buddy
46

tell me how a password can be give to a folder.
47

Hi wajid,
here are three methods how you can protect your files and folders by password.
1. You can use Windows encryption tool to protect your data. Encryption tool uses key, which is generated based on your account information. This method is very useful only in multi-user environment as you will never be asked to enter password.
2. You can use Compressed folder by either Windows tool or third party archiving programs. In this case you will be always requested to enter password. However if you use windows tool, you can’t encrypt file names (you will see all files in protected folder, but you can’t open any file in it without password). If you want file names encryption, you should use third party archive program (e.g. 7zip, Winrar).
3. You can use special software for access control to files and directories (e.g.Folder Password Expert or Protect Folder).
Thanks,
Matej
48

What is the command for system restore point?
rstrui.exe is not working in run.
49

Hello Arvind Sinha,
you have to write it with absolute path:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exeThanks,
Matej
50

i’ve learn a lot in this site. than you for that.. but may i ask if what is the shortcut ky in run command for Microsoft Word. :)
51

Hi Neil,
the answer is here.
Thanks,
Matej
52

Hii
Its very useful
Thanks
sandeep patil
53

thanks a lot for help
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