Windows Run Commands & Admin Tools

Quick reference for Windows Run-dialog shortcuts: MMC consoles (.msc), system utilities, control panel applets, and shell:: locations.

Open the Run dialog with Win + R, then type any of the following. Most also work from PowerShell, cmd, or the Start menu search.

Most-used MMC consoles (.msc)

Command	Opens
`services.msc`	Services
`devmgmt.msc`	Device Manager
`diskmgmt.msc`	Disk Management
`compmgmt.msc`	Computer Management (umbrella for Event Viewer, Services, Shared Folders, etc.)
`eventvwr.msc`	Event Viewer
`taskschd.msc`	Task Scheduler
`gpedit.msc`	Local Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise only)
`secpol.msc`	Local Security Policy
`lusrmgr.msc`	Local Users and Groups (Pro/Enterprise only)
`certmgr.msc`	Certificates – Current User
`certlm.msc`	Certificates – Local Machine
`perfmon.msc`	Performance Monitor
`wf.msc`	Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
`fsmgmt.msc`	Shared Folders
`rsop.msc`	Resultant Set of Policy
`printmanagement.msc`	Print Management
`wmimgmt.msc`	WMI Control
`dsa.msc`	Active Directory Users and Computers (RSAT)
`dssite.msc`	Active Directory Sites and Services (RSAT)
`domain.msc`	Active Directory Domains and Trusts (RSAT)
`dnsmgmt.msc`	DNS Manager (RSAT / Server)
`dhcpmgmt.msc`	DHCP (RSAT / Server)
`servermanager.msc`	Server Manager (Server)

System utilities & dialogs

Command	Opens
`regedit`	Registry Editor
`msconfig`	System Configuration (boot, services, startup)
`msinfo32`	System Information
`dxdiag`	DirectX Diagnostic Tool
`taskmgr`	Task Manager
`resmon`	Resource Monitor
`perfmon`	Performance Monitor
`eventvwr`	Event Viewer
`cleanmgr`	Disk Cleanup
`dfrgui`	Defragment and Optimize Drives
`winver`	About Windows (version/build dialog)
`sysdm.cpl`	System Properties (Environment Variables, Remote, Advanced)
`SystemPropertiesAdvanced`	System Properties → Advanced tab
`SystemPropertiesProtection`	System Properties → System Protection
`SystemPropertiesRemote`	System Properties → Remote
`rundll32 sysdm.cpl,EditEnvironmentVariables`	Environment Variables dialog directly
`optionalfeatures`	Turn Windows features on or off
`appwiz.cpl`	Programs and Features (uninstall apps)
`control`	Classic Control Panel
`ms-settings:`	Modern Settings (root)
`osk`	On-Screen Keyboard
`magnify`	Magnifier
`narrator`	Narrator
`snippingtool` / `ms-screenclip:`	Snipping Tool / Screen Snip
`mstsc`	Remote Desktop Connection
`mblctr`	Windows Mobility Center (laptops)
`sigverif`	File Signature Verification
`verifier`	Driver Verifier Manager
`psr`	Steps Recorder (a.k.a. Problem Steps Recorder)
`wscript` / `cscript`	Windows Script Host
`cmd` / `powershell` / `pwsh` / `wt`	Shells (Command Prompt / PowerShell / PS 7 / Windows Terminal)

Control Panel applets (`*.cpl`)

Command	Opens
`appwiz.cpl`	Programs and Features
`desk.cpl`	Display Settings (legacy)
`firewall.cpl`	Windows Defender Firewall
`inetcpl.cpl`	Internet Properties
`intl.cpl`	Region
`joy.cpl`	Game Controllers
`main.cpl`	Mouse Properties
`mmsys.cpl`	Sound
`ncpa.cpl`	Network Connections (adapters)
`powercfg.cpl`	Power Options
`sysdm.cpl`	System Properties
`tabletpc.cpl`	Pen and Touch
`telephon.cpl`	Phone and Modem
`timedate.cpl`	Date and Time
`wscui.cpl`	Security and Maintenance
`hdwwiz.cpl`	Device Manager (alt entry)
`bthprops.cpl`	Bluetooth Devices

Modern Settings deep links (`ms-settings:`)

ms-settings:                 -> Settings home
ms-settings:about            -> System → About
ms-settings:display          -> Display
ms-settings:network          -> Network & Internet
ms-settings:network-status   -> Status
ms-settings:network-wifi     -> Wi-Fi
ms-settings:network-ethernet -> Ethernet
ms-settings:network-vpn      -> VPN
ms-settings:network-proxy    -> Proxy
ms-settings:windowsupdate    -> Windows Update
ms-settings:windowsupdate-history
ms-settings:windowsdefender  -> Windows Security
ms-settings:appsfeatures     -> Installed apps
ms-settings:defaultapps      -> Default apps
ms-settings:storagesense     -> Storage
ms-settings:privacy          -> Privacy & security
ms-settings:bluetooth        -> Bluetooth & devices
ms-settings:printers         -> Printers & scanners
ms-settings:signinoptions    -> Sign-in options
ms-settings:dateandtime      -> Date & time
ms-settings:regionlanguage   -> Language & region
ms-settings:developers       -> For developers
ms-settings:gaming-gamebar   -> Game Bar

Run from PowerShell with: Start-Process "ms-settings:windowsupdate"

`shell::` GUIDs (My PC, special folders)

shell:startup            -> Current user's Startup folder
shell:common startup     -> All-users Startup folder
shell:sendto             -> "Send to" menu items
shell:profile            -> Your user profile (%USERPROFILE%)
shell:appdata            -> %APPDATA%
shell:local appdata      -> %LOCALAPPDATA%
shell:programs           -> Start Menu Programs
shell:common programs    -> Start Menu Programs (All users)
shell:recent             -> Recently used items
shell:fonts              -> Fonts folder
shell:my documents       -> Documents
shell:cookies            -> Cookies
shell:cache              -> INetCache
explorer shell:::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}   -> "This PC"
explorer shell:::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}   -> Recycle Bin
explorer shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}   -> "God Mode" (all settings flat list)

“God Mode” folder trick: create a new folder named exactly GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} — it turns into a single window listing every Control Panel item.

Useful diagnostic & repair commands

# System file checker + image repair (run elevated)
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

# Check disk
chkdsk C: /scan        # online (no reboot)
chkdsk C: /f /r        # offline, schedule on next reboot

# Reliability monitor (GUI)
perfmon /rel

# Power / battery report
powercfg /batteryreport /output C:\temp\battery.html
powercfg /energy   /output C:\temp\energy.html /duration 60

# Sleep diagnostics
powercfg /sleepstudy /output C:\temp\sleepstudy.html

# Boot configuration
bcdedit /enum
bcdedit /set {current} bootmenupolicy legacy

# Hardware / driver inventory
driverquery /fo table
pnputil /enum-drivers
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version" /C:"System Boot Time"

Quick service / process management

# Services
Get-Service | Where-Object Status -eq 'Running'
Get-Service -Name 'W32Time'
Start-Service  -Name 'W32Time'
Stop-Service   -Name 'W32Time'
Restart-Service -Name 'W32Time' -Force
Set-Service    -Name 'W32Time' -StartupType Automatic

# Classic sc.exe (still common in scripts)
sc.exe query W32Time
sc.exe start W32Time
sc.exe config W32Time start= auto

# Processes
Get-Process | Sort-Object CPU -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
Stop-Process -Name notepad -Force

Bonus: launch from PowerShell

# Open a Run-style command (no Win+R needed)
Start-Process services.msc
Start-Process regedit
Start-Process "ms-settings:windowsupdate"
Start-Process shell:startup

# Open Windows Terminal in a specific profile
wt -p "PowerShell" -d C:\src

# Elevate the current window without UAC clicking
Start-Process pwsh -Verb RunAs