Windows XP Run Commands and Shortcuts

Windows XP Run Commands and Shortcuts

Windows XP Home / Pro Run Commands and Short Cuts

How To - Click Start, Click Run (or simply use the shortcut Windows logo+R) and enter the command Click OK

Run commands
IP Configuration
Management Console
Shortcuts
Windows Environment Commands
General keyboard shortcuts
Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts
Accessibility keyboard shortcuts
Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Shortcut keys for Character Map
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts
MMC console window keyboard shortcuts
Remote desktop connection navigation
Microsoft Internet Explorer navigation
Some useful ALT codes

Run commands

accwiz - Accessibility Wizard
c: - C: Drive
calc - Calculator
cfgwiz32 - ISDN Configuration Wizard
cleanmgr - Clean up hard drives
cliconfg - SQL Client Configuration
clipbrd - Windows Clipboard viewer
cmd - Open a new Command Window (cmd.exe)
cmd /ipconfig - Show IP Config
cmd /k hostname - Show hostname
comp - Compare Files
control - Control Panel
control admintools - Administrative Tools
control color - Display Properties (Appearance tab) control desktop - Display Properties (Themes tab)
control folders - Folders Properties
control fonts - Fonts
control keyboard - Keyboard Properties
control mouse - Mouse Properties
control netconnections - Network Connections
control printers - Printers and Faxes
control schedtasks - Scheduled Tasks
dcomcnfg - DCOM user security
ddeshare - DDE Shares
debug - Assembly language programming tool
defrag - Defragmentation tool
diskpart - Disk Partition Manager
drwatson - Record program crash & snapshots
drwtsn32 - Dr.Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
dxdiag - DirectX Diagnostic Utility
edit - MS-Dos Editor
eudcedit - Private Character Editor
explorer - Windows Explorer
fonts - Fonts Folder
fontview - Graphical font viewer
freecell - Free Cell Card Game
fsquirt - Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
ftp - ftp.exe program
helpctr - Help and Suppport
hostname - Return Computer's name
hypertrm - Hyperterminal
charmap - Character Map
chkdsk - Repair damaged files
iexplore - Windows Internet Explorer
iexpress - Iexpress Wizard
inetwiz - Internet Setup Wizard
jview - Microsoft Command-line Loader for Java classes
logoff - Log Out Of Windows
magnify - Windows Magnifier
migwiz - Files and Settings Transfer Tool
mmc - Microsoft Management Console
mobsync - Microsoft Syncronization Tool
moviemk - Microsoft Movie Maker
mrt - Malicious Software Removal Tool
msconfig - Configuration to edit startup files
mshearts - Hearts Card Game
msimn - Outlook Express
msinfo32 - Microsoft System Information Utility
mstsc - Remote Desktop
narrator - Microsoft Narrator
nbtstat - Display stats and current connections using NetBios over TCP/IP
netstat - Display all active network connections
notepad - notepad
nslookup - Return your local DNS server
odbcad32 - ODBC Data Source Administrator
osk - On Screen Keyboard
packager - Object Packager
pbrush - Paint
perfmon - Performance Monitor
pinball - Pinball Game
ping - Send data to a specified host/IP
printers - Printers Folder
regedit - Registry Editor
regsvr32 - Register/de-register DLL/OCX/ActiveX
regwiz - Registration wizard
rtcshare - Sharing Session
sfc /cachesize=x - System File Checker (Set Cache Size to size x)
sfc /purgecache - System File Checker (Purge File Cache)
sfc /revert - System File Checker (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /scanboot - System File Checker (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scannow - System File Checker (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce - System File Checker (Scan Once At Next Boot)
shell:recyclebinfolder - Open Recycle Bin
shrpubw - Create a shared folder Wizard
shutdown - Shuts Down Windows
sigverif - File Signature Verification Tool
sndrec32 - Sound Recorder
sndvol32 - Volume control for soundcard
spider - Spider Solitare Card Game
sysedit - Edit system startup files (config.sys, autoexec.bat, win.ini, etc.)
syskey - Windows System Security Tool
systeminfo - Display various system information in text console
taskkill - Kill processes using command line interface
taskmgr - Task manager
tcptest - TCP Tester
telnet - Telnet program
tracert - Trace and display all paths required to reach an internet host
tskill - Reduced version of Taskkill from Windows XP Home
utilman - Utility Manager
verifier - Driver Verifier Utility
wab - Windows Address Book
wabmig - Windows Address Book Import Utility
winchat - Simple chat program for Windows networks
winipcfg - Display IP configuration
winmine - Minesweeper Game
winver - Windows Version
wmplayer - Windows Media Player
wordpad - Wordpad
wscript - Windows Script host settings
wupdmgr - Windows Update

IP Configuration

ipconfig /all - Display Connection Configuration
ipconfig /displaydns - Display DNS Cache Contents
ipconfig /flushdns - Delete DNS Cache Contents
ipconfig /registerdns - Refresh DHCP and Re-register DNS
ipconfig /release - Release All Connections
ipconfig /renew - Renew All Connections
ipconfig /setclassid - Modify DHCP Class ID
ipconfig /showclassid - Display DHCP Class ID

Management Console

certmgr.msc - Certificate Manager
ciadv.msc - Indexing Service
compmgmt.msc - Computer Management
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
dfrg.msc - Disk Defragmenter
diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Folder Sharing Management
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 
ntmsoprq.msc - Removable Storage Operator Requests
perfmon.msc - Performance Manager
rsop.msc - Resultant Set of Policy (XP Pro only)
secpol.msc - Local Security Policy
services.msc - System Services
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management

Shortcuts

access.cpl - Accessibility Options
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
desk.cpl - Display Properties
directx.cpl - Direct X Control Panel
firewall.cpl - Firewall Settings (sp2)
hdwwiz.cpl - Add New Hardware Wizard
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
intl.cpl - Regional Settings
joy.cpl - Joystick Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
main.cpl keyboard - Keyboard Properties
mmsys.cpl - Sounds and Audio Device Properties
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
ncpl.cpl - Network Properties
netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
nusrmgr.cpl - User Settings
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
powercfg.cpl - Power Management
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
telephon.cpl - Phone and Modem Options
timedate.cpl - Date and Time Properties
wscui.cpl - Security Center (sp2)

Windows Environment Commands

%AllUsersProfile% - Open All User's Profile
%AppData% - Open Application Data folder of the logged-in user
%CommonProgramFiles% - Open Common Files directory
%ComSpec% - Display full path to the command processor (cmd.exe)
%HomeDrive% - Open home drive e.g. C:\
%HomePath% - Open user’s home folder
%LogonServer% - Display logon server credentials
%ProgramFiles% - Open Program Files directory (installed programs of Windows and others)
%SystemDrive% - Open the drive where the system folder is placed
%SystemRoot% - Open Windows folder
%Temp% - Open Temporary File folder
%UserProfile% - Open User's Profile
%WinDir% - Open Windows directory

General keyboard shortcuts

ALT+E - Edit Menu
ALT+ENTER - Display the properties of the selected object
ALT+ENTER - View the properties for the selected item
ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order they were opened
ALT+F - File Menu
ALT+F4 - Close the active item/Quit the active program/Bring up power/sleep dialog box
ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the System menu for the active window
ALT+SPACEBAR - Open the shortcut menu for the active window
ALT+TAB - Switch between the open items
ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name - Display the corresponding menu
ALT+V - View Menu
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
CTRL while dragging an item - Copy the selected item
CTRL+A - Select all
CTRL+C - Copy
CTRL+DOWN ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
CTRL+F - Find text
CTRL+F4 - Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously
CTRL+H - Find and replace text
CTRL+LEFT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+P - Print
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item - Create a shortcut to the selected item
CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys - Highlight a block of text
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC - Open Task Manager
CTRL+UP ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
CTRL+V - Paste
CTRL+X - Cut
CTRL+Y - Redo undone
CTRL+Z - Undo
DELETE - Delete
ESC - Cancel the current task
F10 key - Activate the menu bar in the active program
F2 key - Rename the selected item
F3 key - Search for a file or a folder
F4 key - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
F5 key - Update the active window
F6 key - Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop
LEFT ARROW - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
order that they had been opened
RIGHT ARROW - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive - Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing
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
SHIFT+ALT - Toggle among installed keyboard languages
SHIFT+DELETE - Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
SHIFT+END - Highlights from current position to end of line
SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
SHIFT+HOME - Highlights from current position to beginning of line
Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu - Perform the corresponding command

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.

ALT+Underlined letter - Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option
Arrow keys - Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons
BACKSPACE - Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box
CTRL+SHIFT+TAB - Move backward through the tabs
CTRL+TAB - Move forward through the tabs
ENTER - Perform the command for the active option or button
F1 key - Display Help
F4 key - Display the items in the active list
SHIFT+TAB - Move backward through the options
SPACEBAR - Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box
TAB - Move forward through the options

Microsoft natural keyboard shortcuts

Windows logo key - Display/Hide the Start menu
CTRL+Windows logo key+F - Search for computers
Windows logo key+L - Lock the keyboard/computer
Windows logo key+BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box
Windows logo key+D - Display the desktop
Windows logo key+E - Open My Computer
Windows logo key+F - Search for a file or a folder
Windows logo key+F1 - Display Windows Help
Windows logo key+M - Minimize all windows
Windows logo key+R - Open Run dialog box
Windows logo key+SHIFT+M - Restore minimized windows
Windows logo key+U - Open Utility Manager

Accessibility keyboard shortcuts

Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK - Switch the MouseKeys either on or off
Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN - Switch High Contrast either on or off
NUM LOCK for five seconds - Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off
Right SHIFT for eight seconds - Switch FilterKeys either on or off
SHIFT five times - Switch the StickyKeys 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
CTRL+END - Move to the last character
CTRL+HOME - Move to the first character
DOWN ARROW - Move down one row
END - Move to the end of the line
HOME - Move to the beginning of the line
LEFT ARROW - Move to the left or to the end of the previous line
PAGE DOWN - Move down one screen at a time
PAGE UP - Move up one screen at a time
RIGHT ARROW - Move to the right or to the beginning of the next line
SPACEBAR - Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected
UP ARROW - Move up one row

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) main window keyboard shortcuts

ALT+A - Display the Action menu
ALT+F - Display the File menu
ALT+F4 - Close the console
ALT+O - Display the Favorites menu
ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the MMC window menu
ALT+V - Display the View menu
CTRL+M - Add or remove a console item
CTRL+N - Open a new console
CTRL+O - Open a saved console
CTRL+S - Save the open console
CTRL+W - Open a new window
F5 key - Update the content of all console windows

MMC console window keyboard shortcuts

ALT+ENTER - Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item
ALT+Minus sign (-) - Display the window menu for the active console window
CTRL+F10 - Maximize the active console window
CTRL+F4 - Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console
CTRL+F5 - Restore the active console window
F1 key - Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item
F2 key - Rename the selected item
F5 key - Update the content of all console windows
SHIFT+F10 - Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item

Remote desktop connection navigation

ALT+DELETE - Display the Windows menu
ALT+HOME - Display the Start menu
ALT+INSERT - Cycle through the programs in most recently used order
ALT+PAGE DOWN - Switch between programs from right to left
ALT+PAGE UP - Switch between programs from left to right
CTRL+ALT+BREAK - Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen
CTRL+ALT+END - Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box
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+CTRL+P - Open the Print 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+W - Close the current window

Some useful ALT codes

ALT+0145 - Open curly single quote
ALT+0146 - Close curly single quote
ALT+0147 - Open curly double quote
ALT+0148 - Close curly double quote
ALT+0151 - Long Dash/Hyphen
ALT+0161 - Inverted exclamation mark
ALT+0191 - Inverted question mark
ALT+21 - Paragraph
ALT+33 - Exclamation mark
ALT+34 - Quotation mark
ALT+38 - Ampersand
ALT+39 - Apostrophe
ALT+40 - Open bracket
ALT+41 - Close bracket
ALT+42 - Asterisk
ALT+44 - Comma
ALT+45 - Dash/Hyphen
ALT+46 - Full Stop
ALT+47 - Slash
ALT+58 - Colon
ALT+59 - Semi-Colon
ALT+63 - Question mark
ALT+64 - @ sign
ALT+91 - Open square bracket
ALT+92 - Backslash
ALT+93 - Close square bracket
ALT+123 - Open curly bracket
ALT+125 - Close curly bracket

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 is 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