Commands For Windows XP Start Menu Run Dialogue Box

Here are some basic commands for Windows XP that you can type in the Start Menu Run Dialogue box to perform the action listed. Enter the command and press Enter or click on Ok. We recommend using only the commands consistent with your ability level.

Basic Commands

(.) - One dot opens current user documents and settings directory.
(..) - Two dots opens the all accounts documents and settings directory.
(...) - Three dots opens the My Computer directory.
(\) - A backslash opens the root directory. Usually C.
%appdata% - opens the current user's application data directory.
%temp% - opens the current user's temp folder.
charmap - Opens Character map.
chkdsk - runs check disk.
cleanmgr - Opens the disk cleanup utility.
clipbrd - Opens your clipboard viewer
cmd - Opens C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
cmd /k ipconfig /all - Opens cmd.exe showing IP Configuration.
ipconfig /renew Causes the computer to release the current IP and accquire a new one. May be used instead of rebooting the computer.
cmd /k mem - Memory Info.
command - Opens C:\Windows\System32\command.com
command /k ping 127.0.0.1 - Ping Local Computer.
ping IP address - Ping followed by a space and than an IP Address will ping the given IP address. This will provide response time and packet loss data.
tracert IP Address -tracert space than an IP address will trace the root from your computer to the given IP.
compmgmt.msc - Opens Computer Management
control - Opens your control panel
control userpasswords2 - Opens User Accounts
cookies - Opens your cookies directory.
desktop - Opens your Desktop directory.
devmgmt.msc - Opens Device manager
dfrg.msc - Disk defragmenter.
diskmgmt.msc - Disk management.
dxdiag - DirectX diagnostic tool.
eventvwr.msc - Event viewer.
explorer - Opens Window Explorer.
favorites - Opens your favorites directory.
fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders.
gpedit.msc - Group policies.
Type any Internet Address in the run box to launch the default browser to specified site.
iexplore - Launch Internet Explorer
local settings - Opens current user's local settings directory.
lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups.
mailto: - Opens a new mail message.
mmc - Opens Microsoft Management Console.
msimn - Launch Outlook Express.
msinfo32 - Opens System Information.
ncpa.cpl - Lan Card and/or Dialer properties
notepad - Opens an untitled Notepad document.
osk - On Screen Keyboard.
perfmon.msc - Opens Performance Monitor.
recent - Opens the My Recent Documents directory.
rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies.
secpol.msc - Local security settings.
sendto - Opens the current user's send to folder.
services.msc - Opens Services (Local)
sndrec32 - Opens the Sound Recorder.
sndvol32 - Opens the Volume Control.
start menu - Opens your Start Menu directory.
taskmgr - Opens Task Manager.
telnet - Opens Telnet
temp - Opens the Windows\temp directory.
wordpad or write - Opens Wordpad

We Do Not Recommend Using The Following Commands Unless You're an Experienced User

Created on ... April 11, 2008