Windows has hundreds of hidden tools and utilities tucked away inside your system — you just need to know how to access them. One of the simplest ways to reach these secret tools is through the Run command box, a small but powerful feature built into every version of Windows.
Whether you’re on Windows 10 or Windows 11, these Run commands can save you time, help you troubleshoot issues, and unlock powerful system features that most users never even know exist.
So, let’s get started and explore these 17 amazing Run commands that every Windows user should know!
🪟 How to Open the Run Command
Before jumping into the list, you first need to know how to open the Run window.
There are two easy methods:
- Right-click on the Start menu → Select Run
- Or simply press the Windows + R keys together on your keyboard
A small box will appear in the corner of your screen. Type any command listed below and hit Enter or click OK to launch the corresponding tool.
1. 🔑 Change Product Key – changepk
This command opens the Windows Activation window, allowing you to view or change your Windows product key.
How to use it:
- Press Windows + R → Type
changepk. - Click OK or hit Enter.
- A dialog box appears showing your current activation status.
You can enter a new product key here if you’re upgrading or reinstalling Windows.
💡 Tip: Always make sure you’re using a genuine license key. Fake keys can cause Windows to deactivate automatically after updates.
2. 🔣 Character Map – charmap
Need special symbols or hidden characters? The Character Map has them all.
How to use it:
- Open the Run box and type
charmap. - Hit Enter to open the Character Map utility.
- Choose any font and click a symbol to copy it.
You can paste these characters anywhere — in Word documents, emails, or design software. It’s perfect for adding ©, ™, € or mathematical symbols.
3. ⚙️ Choice Command – choice
The Choice tool is primarily for developers or advanced users who write batch scripts.
It allows you to create command-line prompts that ask the user a question (like Yes or No).
How to test it:
- Open Run → Type
choice→ Press Enter. - You’ll see a black Command Prompt window showing basic usage examples.
If you want to explore scripting with choice, check out Microsoft’s documentation:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/choice
4. 🧹 Disk Cleanup – cleanmgr
When your system drive gets cluttered, this command can help you regain storage.
How to use it:
- Press Windows + R, type
cleanmgr, then press Enter. - Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:).
- Check the boxes for Temporary files, Cache, and other junk data.
- Click OK → Delete Files.
It’s quick, safe, and built directly into Windows — no third-party cleaner required.
5. 👥 User Account Management – control userpasswords2
If you want to reset, add, or remove user accounts, this is the shortcut for you.
Steps:
- Type
control userpasswords2in Run. - Click OK.
- You’ll see a list of all local and Microsoft accounts.
From here, you can:
- Add or remove accounts
- Change account types (Standard or Administrator)
- Reset forgotten passwords
💡 Advanced Tip: Go to the Advanced tab → Advanced button → You can manage all local user accounts from a single console.
6. ⚙️ Default Apps Manager – computerdefaults
This command opens Windows’ Default Apps Settings directly.
Use it when:
- You want to change your default browser (Edge → Chrome or Firefox).
- You want to switch your default photo viewer, email app, or music player.
Simply type computerdefaults in Run → press Enter → and choose which app opens by default for each file type.
7. 🔤 ClearType Text Tuner – cttune
If you ever feel the text on your monitor looks blurry or hard to read, this is your fix.
Steps:
- Run
cttune. - Follow the on-screen wizard.
- Select which text samples look clearer to you.
This will fine-tune your monitor’s text rendering so that all fonts appear sharper and more readable — perfect for long reading sessions or design work.
8. 🎮 DirectX Diagnostic Tool – dxdiag
If you’re a gamer or troubleshoot graphics issues, you’ll love this.
dxdiag displays detailed hardware information including:
- Graphics card (GPU) details
- Sound card info
- DirectX version
- Driver details and errors
To open it, type dxdiag in Run → Press Enter.
You can also save all information as a text file to share with support teams or developers.
9. 💽 Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc
Want to view or edit your hard drive partitions? This is your go-to tool.
To use it:
- Run
diskmgmt.msc. - The Disk Management console opens.
You can:
- Change drive letters
- Create, shrink, or extend partitions
- Format external drives
⚠️ Note: Be cautious when deleting or formatting partitions — doing so will erase all data.
10. 🧰 System Configuration – msconfig
This tool gives you control over startup behavior, boot options, and background services.
Steps:
- Run
msconfig. - Navigate through these tabs:
- General: Choose Diagnostic or Selective Startup modes.
- Boot: Enable Safe Boot, adjust timeout, or make a dual-boot setup.
- Services: View and disable unnecessary background tasks.
If your system feels slow during startup, use msconfig to identify resource-heavy programs.
11. 🧾 System Information – msinfo32
This command shows everything about your PC in one place — hardware, BIOS, memory, drivers, and more.
How to access:
- Run
msinfo32. - Review details like:
- BIOS mode
- Secure Boot state
- Total physical memory
- Virtualization support
It’s especially useful when checking system compatibility before installing new software or OS updates.
12. ⚡ Power Options – powercfg.cpl
If you use a laptop, this command is essential.
How to use it:
- Type
powercfg.cpl→ Press Enter. - Choose from Balanced, High Performance, or Power Saver plans.
You can also:
- Customize when your screen turns off
- Manage sleep and hibernation behavior
- Enable Ultimate Performance mode (on Pro editions) for maximum speed
13. 📝 Steps Recorder – psr
This underrated tool helps you record every step you perform on your PC — perfect for troubleshooting.
To use it:
- Run
psr. - Click Start Record.
- Perform the steps that reproduce your issue.
- Click Stop Record → Save the file.
It automatically captures screenshots and descriptions of each click you make, so you can share them with tech support later.
14. 🪟 Windows Version Info – winver
Sometimes you need to quickly confirm your Windows version or build number.
How to use it:
- Type
winverin the Run box → Press Enter. - A window appears showing:
- Your Windows edition (Home, Pro, etc.)
- Version number and OS build
This comes in handy when diagnosing compatibility issues or checking for update eligibility.
15. 🌐 Network Connections – ncpa.cpl
A must-know for troubleshooting internet or Wi-Fi issues.
Steps:
- Run
ncpa.cpl. - You’ll see all your network adapters — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, virtual adapters, etc.
- Right-click your active connection → Select Properties.
Here, you can:
- Change your DNS settings
- Disable/enable adapters
- Configure IPv4 or IPv6
💡 Bonus Tip: If your internet feels slow, manually set DNS to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for better speed and reliability.
16. 🕒 Date and Time Settings – timedate.cpl
If your PC clock is off, this command opens the Date and Time control panel instantly.
You can adjust:
- Time zone
- Date format
- Internet time synchronization
You can even add additional clocks for different time zones — helpful for remote teams or global meetings.
17. 📦 Programs and Features – appwiz.cpl
This classic command lets you view, uninstall, or modify installed programs.
How to use it:
- Run
appwiz.cpl. - A list of all installed applications appears.
- Right-click any app → Choose Uninstall or Repair.
From the left menu, click Turn Windows features on or off to enable or disable optional Windows components such as Hyper-V, Telnet, or .NET Framework.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are Run commands safe to use?
Yes — all commands listed above are built into Windows. However, always double-check spelling to avoid opening unintended tools.
Q2. Do these commands work in Windows 11?
Absolutely! Every command here works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Q3. Can I create shortcuts for these commands?
Yes. Right-click your desktop → New → Shortcut → Type the Run command (e.g., cleanmgr) → Click Next → Name it → Done.
Q4. What if a command doesn’t open?
That usually means the tool is disabled by your system administrator or Windows edition (e.g., Home vs Pro).
🎯 Final Thoughts
The Run command box is one of the most underrated features in Windows. It can launch almost anything — from deep system settings to hidden diagnostic tools — in just a few keystrokes.
Learning these commands can save you countless clicks and help you manage your system faster. So next time you need to clean your drive, check system info, or reset user accounts — remember, you don’t need to dig through menus; just open Run and type the command.
Disclaimer:
These commands are safe when used as described, but avoid modifying system settings you don’t understand. Always create a restore point before making major changes.
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