Complete List of Windows 11 Run Commands

Press Windows key + R, type a command such as msinfo32, services.msc or ms-settings:windowsupdate, and press Enter to open that tool directly on Windows 11.

The tables below group every documented Run command by job: everyday tools, Settings and Control Panel pages, admin consoles, networking and repair tools, and folder locations.

How to Open and Use the Run Dialog in Windows 11

The Run box launches a program, console, Settings page or folder by name. It skips the Start menu, the search results and every click in between.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type the command, for example winver to see your Windows version.
3. Add any switch the tool accepts after a space, such as perfmon /rel for Reliability Monitor.
4. Press Enter or select OK to launch it.
5. Approve the User Account Control prompt if the tool needs administrator rights.

The same names also work in the Start search box. Microsoft's own documentation opens tools such as wf.msc and secpol.msc that way, so use it when the Run shortcut is not available.

Which kind of Run command do you need?

Run commands come in five shapes. Match what you want to open to a row, then jump to that table.

What you want to open	Command type	Example	Why this type
A page in the Settings app	ms-settings: URI	ms-settings:bluetooth	Lands on the exact page, not the Settings home screen
A classic Control Panel item	.cpl file or control /name	appwiz.cpl	Opens the legacy applet that Settings has not fully replaced
An admin console such as Services	.msc snap-in	services.msc	Loads the Microsoft Management Console with that tool only
A standalone program	Program name	msinfo32	Built-in programs such as Dxdiag.exe live in System32
A folder in your profile	Environment variable or path	%temp%	Works on any PC, whatever the user name is

Essential Windows 11 Run Commands

These are the commands worth memorising first. Each one replaces three or four clicks through Start, Settings or Control Panel.

Command	What it opens	Use it to
winver	About Windows	See your Windows 11 version and OS build
msinfo32	System Information	Check hardware, components and software details
control	Control Panel	Reach classic applets that are not in Settings
ms-settings:about	Settings > System > About	Read edition, version and device name
cmd	Command Prompt	Run command-line tools such as ipconfig
powershell	Windows PowerShell	Run cmdlets; on some builds it opens inside Windows Terminal
regedit	Registry Editor	View or edit registry keys (back up first)
msconfig	System Configuration	Change startup mode and boot options
services.msc	Services	Start, stop or change the startup type of a service
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager	Update, roll back or disable a device driver
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management	Create, format or resize partitions
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer	Read error and warning logs
cleanmgr	Disk Cleanup	Delete temporary and system files
dxdiag	DirectX Diagnostic Tool	Check graphics, display and sound details
appwiz.cpl	Programs and Features	Uninstall or repair desktop programs
ncpa.cpl	Network Connections	Enable, disable or configure a network adapter
perfmon /rel	Reliability Monitor	See a timeline of app failures and system problems

Task Manager has no better Run command than its shortcut: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. For a full walkthrough of the DirectX tool, see how to open and run dxdiag on Windows 10/11.

Run Commands for Settings and Control Panel Tools

Windows 11 Settings pages open with the ms-settings: URI scheme. Type the full URI, colon included, into Run and the matching page opens.

Microsoft notes that some pages exist only on certain hardware or editions. ms-settings:batterysaver needs a battery, for example, and ms-settings:network-wifi needs a Wi-Fi adapter.

Command	Opens	Area
ms-settings:windowsupdate	Windows Update	Settings
ms-settings:windowsupdate-history	Update history	Settings
ms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates	Optional updates	Settings
ms-settings:display	Display	Settings
ms-settings:nightlight	Night light	Settings
ms-settings:sound	Sound	Settings
ms-settings:apps-volume	Volume mixer	Settings
ms-settings:bluetooth	Bluetooth & devices	Settings
ms-settings:printers	Printers & scanners	Settings
ms-settings:mousetouchpad	Mouse and touchpad	Settings
ms-settings:appsfeatures	Installed apps	Settings
ms-settings:defaultapps	Default apps	Settings
ms-settings:startupapps	Startup apps	Settings
ms-settings:optionalfeatures	Optional features	Settings
ms-settings:personalization-background	Background	Settings
ms-settings:themes	Themes	Settings
ms-settings:taskbar	Taskbar	Settings
ms-settings:lockscreen	Lock screen	Settings
ms-settings:signinoptions	Sign-in options	Settings
ms-settings:yourinfo	Your info	Settings
ms-settings:dateandtime	Date & time	Settings
ms-settings:regionformatting	Region	Settings
ms-settings:privacy	Privacy & security (general)	Settings
ms-settings:privacy-webcam	Camera permissions	Settings
ms-settings:privacy-microphone	Microphone permissions	Settings
ms-settings:privacy-location	Location permissions	Settings
ms-settings:windowsdefender	Windows Security	Settings
ms-settings:storagesense	Storage	Settings
ms-settings:powersleep	Power & sleep	Settings
ms-settings:clipboard	Clipboard	Settings
ms-settings:remotedesktop	Remote Desktop	Settings
ms-settings:activation	Activation	Settings
ms-settings:recovery	Recovery	Settings
ms-settings:developers	For developers	Settings
appwiz.cpl	Programs and Features	Control Panel
sysdm.cpl	System Properties	Control Panel
timedate.cpl	Date and Time	Control Panel
intl.cpl	Region	Control Panel
main.cpl	Mouse Properties	Control Panel
mmsys.cpl	Sound	Control Panel
inetcpl.cpl	Internet Properties	Control Panel
firewall.cpl	Windows Defender Firewall	Control Panel
control /name Microsoft.CredentialManager	Credential Manager	Control Panel
control /name Microsoft.PowerOptions	Power Options	Control Panel
control /name Microsoft.DeviceManager	Device Manager	Control Panel
control /name Microsoft.FolderOptions	Folder Options	Control Panel
control fonts	Fonts folder	Control Panel
control userpasswords	User Accounts	Control Panel

Microsoft's canonical-name reference was last revised for Windows 8.1. Items that have moved to Settings may open the Settings page or the Control Panel home instead of the old applet.

Run Commands for System Administration and Management

Most of these open a Microsoft Management Console (.msc) snap-in. They read settings for a standard user, but changing anything usually needs an administrator account.

Command	Opens	Typical job
compmgmt.msc	Computer Management	One window with Event Viewer, Disk Management, Services and more
services.msc	Services	Set a service to Automatic, Manual or Disabled
devmgmt.msc	Device Manager	Find a device with a yellow warning icon
diskmgmt.msc	Disk Management	Assign a drive letter or initialise a new disk
eventvwr.msc	Event Viewer	Trace a crash to its error event
taskschd.msc	Task Scheduler	Create or disable a scheduled task
gpedit.msc	Local Group Policy Editor	Change policy settings on the local PC
secpol.msc	Local Security Policy	Edit account and audit policies
lusrmgr.msc	Local Users and Groups	Add a user to a local group
certmgr.msc	Certificates (current user)	View or remove personal certificates
certlm.msc	Certificates (local computer)	Manage machine-wide certificates
tpm.msc	TPM Management	Check the Trusted Platform Module status
wf.msc	Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security	Create inbound and outbound rules
perfmon	Performance Monitor	Add live performance counters
perfmon /res	Resource Monitor	See which process uses CPU, disk or network
perfmon /report	System Diagnostics report	Run the System Diagnostics data collector set and show its report
mmc	Empty Microsoft Management Console	Build a custom console from several snap-ins
regedit	Registry Editor	Edit a registry value
msconfig	System Configuration	Set a diagnostic or selective startup
SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe	System Properties > Advanced	Open the Advanced tab directly
SystemPropertiesProtection.exe	System Properties > System Protection	Manage System Restore protection
SystemPropertiesRemote.exe	System Properties > Remote	Open the remote access settings
SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe	System Properties > Computer Name	Open the computer name settings
SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe	Performance Options	Adjust performance settings
OptionalFeatures.exe	Windows Features	Turn Windows components on or off

Some combinations save real time. cleanmgr /sageset:1 stores a Disk Cleanup profile and cleanmgr /sagerun:1 runs those saved tasks later. msinfo32 /report C:\temp\sysinfo.txt writes the full System Information report to a text file you can send to support.

Run Commands for Networking and Troubleshooting

The graphical network tools open straight from Run. The command-line tools, such as ipconfig and ping, print their output in a console, so open cmd first and run them there.

Graphical tools: ncpa.cpl (Network Connections), firewall.cpl (Firewall), wf.msc (advanced firewall rules), inetcpl.cpl (Internet Properties and proxy), ms-settings:network-status, ms-settings:network-wifi, ms-settings:network-proxy, ms-settings:network-vpn, ms-settings:network-advancedsettings and mstsc (Remote Desktop Connection).

Diagnostics, logs and repair: perfmon /rel (Reliability Monitor), eventvwr.msc, msinfo32, dxdiag, rstrui (System Restore), cleanmgr, msconfig, ms-settings:troubleshoot and ms-settings:recovery. For the troubleshooter list, see how to run any troubleshooter on Windows 10 and 11.

ipconfig /all

Type cmd in Run, press Enter, then run this command. It lists every network adapter with its IP address, DNS servers and physical (MAC) address. Other console tools from the same window: ping tests whether a host answers, tracert and pathping show the route to it, nslookup queries DNS, netstat lists open connections, getmac prints MAC addresses and netsh configures the network stack. sfc /scannow scans the integrity of protected system files and repairs them when possible; run it from a Command Prompt opened as administrator.

You should see: Each adapter appears under its own heading with an IPv4 Address line. The full switch list is in the ipconfig all commands guide.

To reach a remote PC, mstsc /v:computer1 opens Remote Desktop Connection already pointed at that computer. Replace computer1 with the PC name or IP address. Disk errors are a separate job: see the list of all chkdsk commands.

Run Commands for Files, Folders, and User Locations

Type an environment variable or a full path into Run and File Explorer opens that folder. Variables beat typed paths because they resolve to the right folder whatever the user name or drive letter is.

Type this	Opens	Typical path
%userprofile%	Your user profile folder	C:\Users\<username>
%userprofile%\Desktop	Desktop	C:\Users\<username>\Desktop
%userprofile%\Documents	Documents	C:\Users\<username>\Documents
%userprofile%\Downloads	Downloads	C:\Users\<username>\Downloads
%userprofile%\Pictures	Pictures	C:\Users\<username>\Pictures
%appdata%	Roaming app data	C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming
%userprofile%\AppData\Local	Local app data	C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local
%temp%	Your temporary files	%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup	Your Startup folder	Programs here start when you sign in
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo	Send To menu items	Add a shortcut to extend the right-click Send to menu
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent	Recent items	Shortcuts to recently opened files
C:\ProgramData	App data for all users	Typical path for shared application data
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup	Startup folder for all users	Programs here start for every account
%programfiles%	Program Files	C:\Program Files
%programfiles(x86)%	32-bit Program Files	C:\Program Files (x86) on 64-bit Windows
%windir%	Windows folder	C:\Windows
%windir%\System32	System32	C:\Windows\System32
%windir%\Fonts	Installed fonts	C:\Windows\Fonts
%systemdrive%	The drive Windows is installed on	Usually C:
C:\Users\Public	Public folders	Shared by every account on the PC

For drives, type the letter with a colon and backslash, such as D:\.

How to check a Run command worked

1. Look at the title bar of the new window. It names the tool, such as Services or Device Manager, so you know the right one opened.
2. For a Settings URI, check the page heading. ms-settings:windowsupdate should land on Windows Update, not the Settings home page.
3. For a folder, check the File Explorer address bar. It shows the resolved path, such as C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming for %appdata%.
4. For an elevated PowerShell window, check the title bar starts with Administrator:. That confirms the console is running with administrator rights.
5. Run winver as a quick test. The About Windows box confirms the Run dialog itself works.

Tips for Using Run Commands More Efficiently

Tip	How to do it	Why it helps
Use variables, not typed paths	Type %temp% instead of the full AppData path	Works on every account and every drive letter
Add switches to jump deeper	perfmon /rel, perfmon /res, control /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pagePlanSettings	Skips the first screen and opens the exact view
Open a specific Control Panel tab	control.exe sysdm.cpl,,3 opens System Properties on a numbered tab	Saves a click inside the applet
Start a tool as administrator	Type the name in Start search, right-click the result and select Run as administrator	Consoles such as Task Scheduler need it to change system-wide items
Keep elevation short	Close an elevated console once the change is done	Anything launched from an elevated console also runs elevated

Fix Run commands that do not open

You cannot find Run on Windows 11

The shortcut depends on the Windows key, so it fails on a keyboard without a working one.

1. Press Windows key + R on a keyboard that has a Windows key.
2. If that does nothing, select Start and type the command, such as wf.msc, directly into the search box.
3. Press Enter to launch the top result.

The tool opens but says access is denied or will not save changes

Some consoles need administrator rights to change system-wide items. Microsoft requires an administrator for System Configuration and for managing tasks other users created in Task Scheduler.

1. Select Start and type the command name, for example taskschd.msc.
2. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.
3. Approve the User Account Control prompt, or enter an administrator password if asked.
4. Repeat the change in the elevated window.

An old Windows 10 command opens the wrong page or nothing

Microsoft has retired or remapped some commands. ms-settings:backup now opens Sync, ms-settings:tabletmode was removed in Windows 11, and several Control Panel names now point to newer items.

1. Check the command against the Settings table above and use the current URI instead.
2. For a Control Panel item, try its ms-settings: equivalent, such as ms-settings:appsfeatures in place of an old Programs and Features link.
3. If a page depends on hardware, such as ms-settings:batterysaver or ms-settings:network-wifi, confirm the device has a battery or a Wi-Fi adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

The first seven questions come from Bing autocomplete. The last three come from the headings of pages already ranking for this topic.

How do I start Run in Windows 11?

Press Windows key + R and the Run dialog box opens. Type a command such as msinfo32 and press Enter. If your keyboard has no Windows key, type the same command into the Start search box instead.

Where is Run on Windows 11?

Run is a small dialog box that you open with Windows key + R. Windows 11 also accepts the same command names in Start search, which is the fallback when the shortcut does not respond.

What version of Windows 11 am I running?

Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The About Windows box shows the version, such as 24H2, and the OS build. For edition and device details, run ms-settings:about or msinfo32 instead.

Which Windows 11 do I have: Home or Pro?

Run ms-settings:about and read the Edition line, which sits next to the version and OS build. msinfo32 opens System Information, which also names the edition alongside hardware details such as installed memory.

Is this computer running Windows 11?

Type winver in Run and press Enter. The About Windows box names the product, so it reads Windows 11 or Windows 10. The systeminfo command in Command Prompt prints the same OS name if you prefer text output.

Can my PC run Windows 11?

Compare it with Microsoft's minimum requirements: a compatible 64-bit processor with two or more cores at 1 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. On Windows 10, the PC Health Check app checks this for you, and tpm.msc shows the TPM status.

How do I run a program in Windows 11 without the Start menu?

Open Run with Windows key + R, type the program's name and press Enter. Built-in tools live in the Windows System32 folder, so names such as cmd, regedit and mstsc open without a full path.

Do Windows 10 Run commands still work in Windows 11?

Most do, because .msc, .cpl and program names such as services.msc and appwiz.cpl are unchanged. A few Settings URIs changed: ms-settings:tabletmode was removed and ms-settings:backup now opens Sync, so check older lists before relying on them.

Which Run commands require administrator permission?

Tools that change the whole PC need an administrator. Microsoft states this for msconfig, and taskschd.msc needs it to manage tasks other users created. Start these from Start search with Run as administrator, or approve the User Account Control prompt when it appears.

Can I use Run commands to open specific Settings pages?

Yes. Type an ms-settings: URI, such as ms-settings:windowsupdate, ms-settings:bluetooth or ms-settings:defaultapps, and the Settings app opens on that page. Some pages only exist on matching hardware, such as battery settings on laptops.

Bottom Line

Learn five commands first: winver, msinfo32, services.msc, devmgmt.msc and ms-settings:windowsupdate, then use environment variables such as %temp% for folders. Those cover the version check, hardware details, services, drivers and updates behind most Windows 11 support tasks. The ms-settings: URIs are the part most likely to change between releases, so check them against the Settings table when an older command stops working.