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In the right easily, the Windows 10 run command tin can be a powerful tool. With a simple keyboard shortcut and a few keystrokes, windows users tin chop-chop reach their destination deep in the operating system's labyrinth of configuration screens. The key is learning, knowing, and remembering mutual run commands.

This how-to tutorial lists 12 mutual Windows ten run commands that all windows users should know and be able to use when required.

SEE Role ii: More Windows ten run commands that you should know (merely probably forgot) (TechRepublic)

12 common Windows 10 run commands

Start things first, the about efficient way to recall the Run command dialog box is to use this keyboard shortcut combination: Windows key + R.

Information technology is common for mod PC keyboards to have a primal in the bottom row next to the Left-Alt fundamental marked with the Windows logo–that is the Windows key.

Y'all tin as well open up the Run command by right-clicking the Start Menu button, and selecting the Run command from the item listing. Merely that is less efficient and defeats the purpose of quick navigation in Windows 10.

SEE: Top Windows 10 run commands (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

When you open the Run command, you lot will be presented with a simple entry box (Figure A). Yous will enter your commands into the box, and press Enter or click OK to execute them.

Figure A

Notation: The quotation marks are for emphasis but–they are not function of the command itself and should not be included in the command box.

ane. Open the Windows 10 drive ("")
Unless yous accept changed the default configuration, running File Explorer from the Taskbar volition display the contents of the Quick Access library. The presumption is that this is where your documents, photos, and other files can be most easily found, but sometimes y'all just desire to open File Explorer in the primary hard drive root folder (typically C:).

Use the "" command–no quotes.

2. Open the Dwelling folder of the electric current user (".")
Continuing with the theme of better decision-making File Explorer, typing a single menstruation (".") into the command box will straight access the Dwelling house folder of the current user (Figure B).

Figure B

3. Open up the Users folder ("..")
A variation of the previous run command, typing two periods ("..") will open File Explorer in the Users binder, giving quick access to all the user'due south files and folders, providing you have the proper credentials. This is a good command for performing arrangement administrative tasks.

four. Open Control Panel ("control")
In an effort to simplify the interface, Windows 10 has placed many of the common configuration settings into an surface area known as Settings, which can be found as an entry in the Start Card. While this is fine for many configuration settings, there are times when you lot have to load the full Windows 10 Control Console folder (Figure C). On those occasions, type "control" into the Run command box.

Figure C

five. Open System Configuration ("msconfig")
The Microsoft Configuration app is a holdover from previous versions of the Windows operating system, but it is still useful for Windows x. Typing "msconfig" will open an app that grants you access to boot variations and allows yous to block or end certain services and applications from starting during the kicking sequence.

vi. Open Programs and Features ("appwiz.cpl")
Drilling even further into the realm of the Control Panel, there are times when you lot would similar to uninstall an application. This process is achieved with the Programs and Features screen, which is a sub-section of the Control Panel. However, you can get in that location fastest by typing "appwiz.cpl" in the Run command box.

SEE: Windows 10 apps: Which should you keep and which should you dump? (complimentary PDF) (TechRepublic)

7. Open Disk Cleanup utility ("cleanmgr")
Another holdover from previous versions of Windows is the Disk Cleanup utility. Near disk cleanup processes in Windows x are handled automatically behind the scenes, just at that place are occasions where y'all may want to perform disk cleanup manually. Type "cleanmgr" to achieve the Disk Cleanup dialog box (Figure D).

Figure D

8. Open Resource Monitor ("resmon")
A utility app that most Windows users ignore–but really shouldn't–is the Windows 10 Resource Monitor. If your PC starts lagging, or the hard drive seems to be spinning upwardly without cause, run the command "resmon," and troubleshoot the trouble.

nine. Open up common Microsoft apps ("calc", "notepad", "mspaint", etc.)
Another good use for the run control is to start basic Microsoft applications that y'all may not apply every solar day and don't desire on your desktop or taskbar just that yous still use from time to time. For case, the Calculator app. Open the Run command box, and type "calc" to start it.

10. Adjust your mouse settings ("main.cpl")
One of the showtime things you may find you need to adapt on a new Windows 10 PC are the mouse settings. A mouse cursor that is too small or moves too slowly across the screen can be frustrating. The fastest way to go to the mouse settings is to open the Run command, and type "principal.cpl" into the box.

11. Open Remote Desktop ("mstsc")
A mod workforce is a mobile workforce, which means many of u.s.a. take to access our workstation PCs remotely using the Windows 10 Remote Desktop app (Figure East). The fastest way to open the app is to open the Run control, and type "mstsc" into the box.

Figure E

12. Access System Information ("msinfo32")
While troubleshooting problems with help desks, it is not uncommon for the technician to enquire for detailed system information. Rather than clicking through several different screens, employ the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R, type "msinfo32" into the box, and press Enter.

Bonus tip for the run command

As you try these various run commands, y'all will notice that previous commands will be remembered by the arrangement. You can whorl through previously used commands past moving up and down the list with the arrow keys–still another way to decrease mouse clicks and increase the efficiency of the Windows x interface.