Windows useful Commands for quick access software and tools

Windows is a totally graphical user interface (GUI) based generally we do search and trace the programs. But searching features and program is a time taking process. Therefor Microsoft also gives us options to run associated commands to open software of windows features.

No needs to use mouse here and there, you just need to type a small piece of command in Windows Command prompt or in Run. Within a fraction of time, your required application or software will open for use.

Now memorize these Windows useful commands and do your work more quickly.

Just click on Start> type run and following screen get appeared. Type your choice of Command code. That’s is.

List of Windows useful Commands

Following are the program name and their Run commands.

We have segregated all the commands based on applications or feature name in alphabetical order.

Add/Remove Programs = appwiz.cpl

Appwiz will open your Add/Remove programs

Administrative Tools = control admintools

All the administrative tools available in Windows machine will display in explorer.

Authorization Manager= azman.msc

Allows you to set up authorization for Windows features and application use

Calculator = calc

Many times we do use excel instead of finding the Calculator in windows. So, this short command will help us to just type and open the Calculator.

Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc

Most of the web applications and banking websites ask us to install their software in your machines to validate the access. If you are using a digital signature, then you need to use this option.

Character Map = charmap

Character map is useful to type special symbol and character in a document. Just open this feature and type your choice of Special characters.

Check Disk Utility = chkdsk

Chkdsk is a very powerful tool for IT personal. Generally, many times our systems give a slow performance. There could be a chance of HDD bad sector. This useful command line is going to help fix the bad sector and repair your HDD partially. Even if you getting the same issue means you need to replace your HDD. For searching, this feature is very hard for non-IT personal.  

Component Services = dcomcnfg

COM+ is designed primarily for Microsoft Visual C++ and Microsoft Visual Basic developers. This tool helps you to manage customizes self-developed applications/software.

Computer Management = compmgmt.msc or CompMgmtLauncher

To manage a computer quickly and easily without searching for the option here and there. This command will open, and you can check the device manager, performance, disk management and local users and groups.

Control Panel = control panel

Many times in a new pc you will get a limited icon in the desktop. If you are looking for Control panel to change the date, install a printer or device, network settings and program and features. This is the complete box for windows with a collection of Control tools.

Command Prompt screen= cmd.exe

A command prompt is a very useful DOS-based blackboard of a Windows PC. You can type and commands shared in this list will work the same as a RUN prompt. You are free to use all the windows Commands using Command prompt or through RUN.

Device and printers = control printers or printmanagement.msc

This option will open device and printer where you can install Printers and other external devices like camera, headphone, faxes and printers.

Date and Time window = timedate.cpl

Type this command line and the open date and time window.

Device Manager = devmgmt.msc

Device manager is one of the important options in Windows pc to check the device and drivers are installed and working properly.

Direct X Troubleshooter = dxdiag

Dxdiag commands will check the primary issues of a PC. If you want to know the basic hardware configuration this command line helps you. Also, you can check the display, Audio and input out devices.

Disk Cleanup Utility = cleanmgr

This command will help you to clean up the system and temporary files and folders of your Hard disk.

Defragment User Interface = dfrgui

Defragmentation is a useful tool in windows pc to analysis and defragments a storage device.

Disk Management = diskmgmt.msc

This is also an option of a pc like a Device manager. Using command line dskmgmt.msc it will open all disk management area where we can see the all attached storages devices of a pc.

Disk partition manager = diskpart

Using this command line, you can change the disk from GBT to MBR format and vice versa.

Display Properties = desk.cpl or control desktop

This is the short cut command for Display property of a pc if you want to make display changing of a desktop. Just this short instead Right click and go to property option.

Driver Verifier Utility = verifier or /reset

It will verifier all the installed driver of your pc if any of them is unsigned drivers have been found.

Encryption File System = rekeywiz “New”

Encrypting File System (EFS) lets you store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format and choose which users can access it. You can use this option to create a certificate to encrypt your prices data.

Event Viewer = eventvwr.msc

Event viewer will show you all the Hardware and software instances.

File Signature Verification Tool = sigverif

To help maintain the integrity of your system, critical files have been digitally signed so that any changes to these files can be quickly detected

File Explorer / Libraries = explorer or Windows key + E

To open the file explorer/libraries short cut is an explorer.

Folders Properties = control folders

To lookup the folders option in a PC this short cut command will help us. i.e to set view / hide hidden files and folder, show extension of all the files and search option settings.

Fonts = control fonts

To type best in quality text with looks and feel. Fonts are very important for thousands of different type of fonts available. If you want to delete or add any fonts in your pc just type Control fonts in command prompt. A system fonts folder get open.

Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc

If you want to set a group/user’s policies like blocking a USB drive, folder permissions, password difficulties levels etc. In this feature, you have the option to set the rules user/computer features related.

Internet Explorer = iexplore

Open internet explorer just type iexplore in RUN

Internet Properties = inetcpl.cpl

Internet property or internet options are the same is a very important feature of Windows machine. This will help you to set internet access parameters. i.e Delete history files, set trusted site and do restrict websites.

IP Configuration = ipconfig.exe

To check the computer assigned Internet protocol address (IP).

iSCSI Initiator = iscsicpl

This is an Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) initiator help us to send data and connection to another external (iSCSI) device.

Keyboard Properties = control keyboard

Control your keyboard function like late/fast response while tying.

Local Security Settings = secpol.msc

Pc Security policy like Password policy, Account lockout policy, Windows Firewall policy and Audit policy.

Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc

Users and group option will allow you to create a new user id for Windows.

Logs You Out of Windows = logoff

Type logoff command in Run box your pc get start immediately shutting down the PC.

Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool = msdt

This Microsoft Support Diagnostic tool helps directly connect you with Microsoft server before that it will ask you a passkey which you will get from the support team of Microsoft.

MS Paint = mspaint.exe

MS Paint is the basic painting app of Microsoft. Everybody who goes to learn computer this is the first app he/she does start computer education.

Mouse Properties = control mouse or main.cpl

To control the mouse movement and pointer look and feel.

Network Connections = control netconnections or ncpa.cpl

A network engineer daily use network connection to check the connectivity and configuration. So this particular command is really very useful.

Notepad = notepad

To note down projects and to-do list Notepad is one of the important applications of Windows pc.

ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32

To set up the object-oriented database connection (ODBC) in a pc, this command will help you. If you are a software engineer or a database administrator this option will help you to set up the DNS.

Optional Features Manager = optionalfeatures

Optional features of a windows machine are useful when you want to use some hidden features i.e Telnet, FTP, IIS or many other features.

On-Screen Keyboard = osk

If you want to use on Screen keyboard of a windows pc just type in Run box osk.

Performance Monitor = perfmon.msc

To check out the windows pc performance you need to right-click on the taskbar and task manager. But this small piece of command will open the same option more quickly.

Power Configuration = powercfg.cpl

To manage the power frequency of a pc this option will help. For Laptop users, you can set it as a balance to improve battery backup.

Printer Migration / Shifting = PrintBrmUi “New”

This option exports printer queues, printer ports, and printer drivers to a file you specify and import the same settings. No needs to reconfigure all the printers.

Problem Steps Recorder = psr.exe

It will record the screenshot and steps for future references.

Regional Settings = intl.cpl

To change region and Date time format use this command.

Registry Editor = regedit.exe

All the software and hardware do work based on registry entry many times we need to check and clean-up the registry records. To open the registry option type regedit.exe in run command box.

Remote Assistance = msra

msra (Microsoft Remote Assistance) works like team viewer and anydesk. Windows Remote assistance connects two computers so that one person can help or do fix the problem of the person’s computer.

Remote Desktop = mstsc

If you have permission to get access a remote pc this command will help you to connect that pc.

Resultant Set of Policy = rsop.msc

This will open the screen to set policy in a pc as per your requirements this is a subpart of gpedit.msc

Scheduled Tasks = control schedtasks

Use the task scheduler to create and manage a common task that your computer will follow automatically i.e. schedule backup is one of them

Screen Resolution = desk.cpl

This is like display properties this will open the same screen where you can change the resolutions of screen.

Security Center = wscui.cpl

To check and identify the security low pools and mange accordingly.

Services = services.msc

All the application and devices run services so sometimes there is required to disable to restart the services. Jut type this command and services windows get open perform the action as desired.

Shared Folders/MMC = fsmgmt.msc

To manage shared folders list, Check the shared session is running your pc and Open files in share session.

Shuts Down Windows = shutdown

Shutdown command will shutdown your pc imminently or as per timestamp. i.e. shutdown -s -t (S stand of service t stand for a time in seconds)

Snipping Tool = snippingtool

This is one of the best screen capture snipping tools. The print screen you can use this windows app you will forget other screen capture tools.

Sounds and Audio = mmsys.cpl

Manage playback, recording, sounds and communications. Set the device as per your convenience.

Sound Volume = sndvol

Volume mixer is an option of Windows to stabilize the volume of your pc.

SQL Client Configuration = cliconfg

To configure SQL server-client network utility will help

Stored Usernames and Passwords /Credential Manager = credwiz “New”

Restore backup file of Password credentials of a PC. It will save all the network password in a file just import and you do not need to re-enter

Sticky Note = StikyNot

Note your sticky for the reminder and to-do list. Once you restart the pc these will get saved and will appear in your desktop.

System Configuration Utility = msconfig

System configuration utility will help you to configure startup, boot and Service allow and disable. This tool helps us when your system performing slowly due to unwanted startup services.

System File Checker Utility = sfc /scannow

SFC command is one of the commands will check all the system files and software and will fix the issues related to windows load and performance.

System Information = msinfo32

To check the complete list of Windows system information.  To check hardware resources, components and software environment.

PC System Properties = sysdm.cpl

Right-click in This pc and go to the property this is the long route just type sysdm.cpl and run command your computer property screen will appear.

System Restore = rstrui.exe

Some time due to the wrong application, Driver and windows patch updates system gives us a problem. This is the option to restore the machine in the previous good configuration without losing any data personal work.

Task Manager = taskmgr

What is the task running in your pc to lookout needs to open task manager? Where you can check the process, performance, app history, start-up applications, a user uses, details application software and Services.

User Accounts = netplwiz

Available user list of a pc grant or deny the user to change password set the administrator privileges, reset the password and remove the users,

Windows Activation = slui

Software license user interface (slui) this option gives you permission to activate the windows license. Update product key and take help from the Microsoft team.

Windows Backup Utility = sdclt

Backup and restore your files this utility allows you to take backup and restore the previous backup to run the pc.

Windows Firewall = firewall.cpl and wf.msc

Windows inbuilt firewall is very useful for your pc security. Set the rule for IP and ports which can access your pc. Buy using both the command line you can manage your firewall settings.

Windows Media Player and DVD player = dvdplay  or wmplayer

Windows Media player is one of the oldest media file players. If you want to play any music or video just open the media player. This will open the DVD available in your drive.

Windows Magnifier = magnify

To view the screen in a magnify resolution just type this command in run.

Windows Management Infrastructure = wmimgmt.msc

Configures and controls the windows management instrumentation (WMI) Service. To install certificates and other services.

Windows Stand along Update Manager = wusa “New’

To manage the windows updates this small command line will show explore the details.

Windows Share Creation Wizard = shrpubw

To create any shared folder in your pc this option will work. Instead of right-clicking in a folder and going through the share option. This sort of cut wizards will help you quickly create and share a folder.

At the last share if you face any difficulties and missing commands. We will address the same.