Secret Commands for Run and CMD in Windows

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If you use Windows every day and still open everything from the menus, you're missing out on one of its most powerful tools: the Run dialog box and the command prompt . With a few well-learned keyboard shortcuts and commands, you can open hidden tools, diagnose problems, speed up your system, and navigate Windows like a pro.

Throughout this guide, you'll find a huge list of commands for the Run dialog box (Windows + R) and the CMD console , explained clearly and in Spanish. You'll see everything from quick access to configuration panels and administrative utilities to basic commands to get started in the terminal and more "secret" commands for diagnosing your network, checking your disk, or automating tasks.

How to open the Run dialog box and when it's worth using

Before we get started, it's helpful to understand how to open the Run dialog box and in what situations it's more practical than navigating through menus. This small window allows you to launch programs, system folders, and configuration tools simply by typing a short command.

There are several ways to open the Run dialog box in Windows, but the fastest is to use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R. The dialog box will open instantly, and you can start typing the command you want to run.

If you prefer to do it with the mouse, you can also right-click on the Start button and choose the "Run" option from the context menu , or type "Run" in the search box on the taskbar and open it from there.

The beauty of this tool is that it saves you from having to jump through Settings, Control Panel, or hidden menus. By knowing a few shortcuts, you can directly open advanced tools like msconfig, regedit, gpedit.msc, or diskmgmt.msc without wasting a second.

Essential Run dialog box commands for Windows administration

Windows includes a good collection of commands designed to quickly open the most frequently used tools for managing or maintaining the system. With this selection, you can access system settings, disks, services, network, registry, and more without having to search through menus.

We'll start with the crown jewel: the msconfig command . Typing "msconfig" in Run opens the System Configuration window, from where you can manage Windows startup, select the default operating system if you have several installed, enable Safe Boot mode, or control which services and programs start with the system.

Another classic is msinfo32 , which opens the System Information tool . Here you'll see an extremely detailed summary of your computer: Windows version, motherboard, processor, RAM, BIOS, components, and a wealth of hardware and software data very useful for diagnostics.

When you need to know what's happening with your PC's resources in real time, you can run the `resmon` command to open Resource Monitor. This utility goes a step further than Task Manager and shows you detailed CPU, RAM, disk, and network usage per process, which is very useful for identifying bottlenecks.

If you want to adjust how the mouse behaves, the main.cpl command takes you directly to the mouse properties panel, where you can change the pointer speed, invert buttons, adjust double-click, or configure the scroll wheel without having to delve into Settings.

To manage remote connections, you can use mstsc , which opens the Remote Desktop Connection client. It's a quick way to connect to another Windows PC or server over the network and control it as if you were sitting right in front of it.

Typing cmd in the Run dialog box opens the classic Command Prompt, the familiar black console where you can run all the command-line commands we'll see later. If you prefer the modern alternative, you can use PowerShell to open the PowerShell console and work with cmdlets and advanced scripts.

The `explorer` command opens Windows File Explorer directly, ideal when you need a new browsing window from anywhere on the system. And if you want quick access to settings, you can simply use `control` to launch the traditional Control Panel.

Another vital tool is taskmgr , which opens the Task Manager. From here you can terminate frozen processes, see which programs are overloading the processor or memory, and monitor your system's overall performance.

To manage shutdown or restart from the old graphical environment, there is the command shutdown.exe with parameters , but from Run you can also use "shutdown" directly in the console, or even the more basic shutdown to schedule an automatic system shutdown.

If you suspect your hard drive has problems, the chkdsk command from Run or CMD launches the disk checking utility, which can scan the hard drive for bad sectors and file system errors, and attempt to repair them when possible.

To free up disk space without installing anything extra, you can type cleanmgr (sometimes translated as “cleanup manager”). This will open the Windows Disk Cleanup tool, which allows you to delete temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove other system debris.

If you want to check the graphics settings, especially those related to games and multimedia, the dxdiag command opens the DirectX Diagnostics tool, which displays detailed information about the graphics card, audio and video drivers, and installed DirectX versions.

As for advanced terminals, PowerShell opens the PowerShell console, where you can run cmdlets, automate administrative tasks, manage services, users, or even work with complex scripts that integrate different parts of the system.

If you need to know exactly which version of Windows you're running, a quick option is the winver command (sometimes listed as "winver /winner" in translated listings), which opens a pop-up window with the edition, build, and license status of the operating system.

The command "control folders" directly opens Folder Options, where you can enable the display of hidden files, show or hide file extensions, and adjust how folders and items are displayed in Explorer.

To manipulate partitions and disks without using third-party tools, you can use diskmgmt.msc , which opens Disk Management. From there you can create, format, and delete volumes, change drive letters, and manage basic and dynamic disks.

The Event Viewer, essential for diagnosing system problems, is opened with eventvwr.msc . This console displays logs from security, system, applications, and many other sources, helping you pinpoint the source of crashes, freezes, or error messages.

If your edition of Windows allows it, gpedit.msc opens the Local Group Policy Editor, a powerful tool for configuring advanced system policies, restricting functions, applying security settings, or controlling the behavior of applications and the operating system itself.

For advanced users, the regedit command is one of the most delicate: it opens the Windows Registry Editor. From here, you can modify keys and values ​​that control virtually all system behavior and that of many applications. It's incredibly powerful, but you should proceed with caution because an incorrect change can destabilize Windows.

The sysdm.cpl panel opens System Properties, where you can change the computer name, join it to a domain, configure remote connection, user profiles, and system performance and protection options (including restore points).

If you're concerned about energy consumption, especially on laptops, the powercfg.cpl command takes you directly to Power Options, where you can choose or customize power plans, adjust sleep times, and define the behavior of the power button or lid.

For accessibility, the magnify command (or "enlarge" in some descriptions) opens Windows Magnifier, an essential tool if you need to enlarge parts of the screen to read small text or review images in detail.

With charmap you launch the Character Map, from where you can copy special symbols, accented letters from other alphabets, icons and characters that do not appear on the physical keyboard but are compatible with the system fonts.

The network connections panel opens with ncpa.cpl . It's the classic place to enable or disable network adapters, change IP addresses, DNS, bridge connections, or adjust advanced properties of your Ethernet or Wi-Fi interfaces.

To check if your computer is infected, the mrt command (sometimes referred to as “mrt /sir” in machine translations) launches the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. It performs a spot scan for known malware and can remove some common threats.

The devmgmt.msc command opens Device Manager, which lists all connected hardware components and devices. From here you can update drivers, disable conflicting devices, or check for driver problems.

If you manage local users, netplwiz takes you to a classic User Accounts panel. From there you can add new users, change the account type, adjust passwords, and even configure automatic login without requiring a password.

The Background Services window opens with services.msc . This list displays all installed services, their status (running or stopped), startup type, and the option to start or stop them manually. It is the foundation of many critical Windows components.

If you want to manage installed programs in the traditional way, the appwiz.cpl command opens the "Programs and Features" panel, which focuses on third-party applications. From there, you can uninstall software, change installed components, or repair applications that allow it.

To quickly access your user profile, you can type a simple . (a period) in the Run box. This opens the current user's root folder, where Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and other personal directories are located.

If you need a virtual keyboard, the osk command opens the On-Screen Keyboard, perfect for touchscreens or when your physical keyboard fails or is not available.

As for screenshots, snippingtool launches the classic Snipping Tool (or the modern version depending on the edition), which remains one of the most convenient ways to take screenshots without installing anything extra.

Finally, the mdsched command opens the Windows Memory Checker. After restarting the computer, this utility checks the RAM to see if there are any physical errors that might be causing crashes or blue screens.

"Secret" commands to quickly clean, optimize, and configure Windows

In addition to the well-known commands, there are a number of lesser-known options that allow you to access hidden or less visible features of Windows 10 and 11. They are perfect for cleaning up junk files, adjusting the appearance, or fixing performance issues without much hassle.

The most popular command for freeing up disk space is %temp% . Typing this command in the Run dialog box will open the user's temporary files folder, usually located at AppData\Local\Temp. From there, you can select everything (Ctrl+A) and delete it with Delete to recover a significant amount of disk space.

Another very useful option is SystemPropertiesPerformance , which opens the Windows performance options panel. Here you can choose between prioritizing visual appearance or performance, disable animations like minimizing and maximizing windows, or remove shadow effects to improve smoothness on less powerful computers.

If you want to feel like you're going back to the classic options of other Windows versions, in that same panel you can select settings like "Adjust for best performance" and then reactivate only the effects you really miss, finding a balance between aesthetics and speed.

The appwiz.cpl command we've already seen is also a quick way to manage programs without going through the new Windows 10 and 11 Settings interface. For those used to the old system, it's much more straightforward than going to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

Regarding date and time, timedate.cpl opens the classic panel for adjusting the clock, time zone, and additional clocks, as well as synchronizing with internet servers. It is especially useful if your computer displays the wrong time or if you need to check multiple time zones.

Nor should we forget the role of msconfig in troubleshooting. From its Boot tab, you can enable Safe Mode, disable services you suspect are causing conflicts, or perform a diagnostic boot to isolate the source of performance issues or instability.

Basic CMD commands for navigating folders, copying files, and managing the system

The Windows Command Prompt (CMD) can be a little intimidating at first, but with a few basic commands you'll be navigating with ease. These commands will allow you to browse directories, list files, copy content, and perform simple tasks without leaving your keyboard.

The primary command for navigating through folders is CD . Using the syntax cd DirectoryPath you can enter any folder you want, while with cd.. (colon) you go up one level in the directory tree and return to the containing folder.

To see what's in the current folder, the DIR command displays a complete list of files and subdirectories. It's the fastest way to check if the file you need is there or to decide which subfolder to go into next.

For a more structured view, TREE Folder displays the complete directory structure of the specified path, showing all subfolders and how they are linked. This is especially useful when analyzing complex directory trees.

When the output becomes cluttered with text and you want to start fresh, the CLS command completely clears the console screen, deleting both the commands you've typed and the system's responses. It's like opening a new CMD window without closing the existing one.

To close the console, simply type EXIT , which ends the current session and closes the command prompt window.

If you ever draw a blank and can't remember the exact name of a command, HELP displays a list of available commands along with a brief description (in English) of what each one does. You can also type `help command_name` to see more detailed help for that specific command.

For file management, COPY Destination File copies one or more files from their current location to the destination path you specify. It's useful for both quick backups and moving content between folders without using the mouse.

For more advanced and robust backups, ROBOCOPY offers a much more powerful set of options: it's faster, allows you to resume interrupted backups, shows real-time progress, and copies only modified files, ideal for moving large volumes of data.

If you need to move a file to another folder without leaving a copy in the source, the MOVE File Destination command moves the file to the new path, which is the equivalent of "cut and paste" but from the console.

To delete, use the DEL command to remove the files or directories you specify. Use caution because files or directories are not always sent to the Recycle Bin, so deletion can be permanent if you don't have a backup.

When you want to change the name of a file, RENAME File (or REN) lets you assign a new name, and even change the extension. However, changing the extension doesn't magically convert one format to another; it simply modifies the name Windows uses to identify it.

To create new folders, MD FolderName (or MKDIR) creates a directory in the current location with the name you specify. This allows you to build folder structures without leaving the terminal.

An interesting trick is to use `TYPE file.extension` in combination with redirects to create text files from the console and write to them. This allows you to quickly generate scripts, notes, or configuration files without opening a graphical editor.

Among the basic commands is FORMAT , which allows you to format entire drives. Extreme caution is advised when using this command, as it erases all the contents of the selected drive; you should only use it when you are certain you want to completely erase a disk or prepare a new drive.

Diagnostic and maintenance commands: network, disk, drivers and performance

In addition to navigating through folders, the Windows command prompt includes powerful commands for diagnosing hardware, network, and system problems . These are some of the most frequently used by both advanced users and administrators.

For a complete overview of your computer, SYSTEMINFO returns very detailed information about the operating system, version, manufacturer, model, installed physical memory, time since last boot, and other key data that help you understand the state of your machine.

When you suspect something is wrong with the hard drive, CHKDSK reappears, but launched from CMD with parameters like /f or /r . The former repairs logical file system errors, while the latter also searches for physical bad sectors and attempts to recover readable data.

For internet or local network connection problems, IPCONFIG is essential. It provides the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and other information for each network adapter. With parameters like ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew , you can release and renew IP addresses, which is very useful when the connection hangs due to an IP address conflict.

If you need to analyze the status of connections, NETSTAT displays protocol statistics and all active TCP/IP connections. Using `netstat -an` will show you which ports are listening, which remote addresses you're connected to, and the status of those connections—key information for detecting suspicious traffic or services running without your knowledge.

When you experience latency issues or connection drops with a specific server, TRACERT HostDirectory (or “tracert www.site.com”) allows you to trace the path that packets take from your computer to the destination, showing each intermediate hop and the time it takes. This helps you pinpoint where in the network the delays are occurring.

If you've ever been asked for your computer's MAC address, the GETMAC command will display it instantly. This address is the unique identifier of your network interface card, essential for certain advanced router configurations, filtering, or hardware licensing.

To confirm the exact version of Windows, VER returns the console version number, useful when you're waiting for an update or need to know if your system meets the requirements of certain software.

You can also open the Control Panel from CMD by typing "control" or even the command CONTROL PANEL in some translations, although the traditional method is usually more reliable. This makes it a simple additional keyboard shortcut, eliminating the need to go to the Start menu.

If the problem is related to time synchronization or you simply want to know the exact time on your PC, TIME displays and allows you to change the system time from the console, which is useful when you're testing or need to accurately record events.

The DRIVERQUERY command lists all installed drivers, indicating the module name, description, and driver type. It is a very useful tool for checking driver versions or verifying whether a particular component has its drivers correctly installed.

To monitor which processes are active, TASKLIST provides a list of all running processes, their PID (process identifier), and memory usage. It's similar to Task Manager, but in text format, making it perfect for remote terminals or scripts.

If a process hangs, you can forcefully terminate it with `TASKKILL /PID ProcessIDNumber` by specifying its PID. You can also use parameters like `/IM processname.exe` to kill it by name, which is very useful when specific applications stop responding.

To check the integrity of system files, SFC (System File Checker) scans protected versions of Windows and replaces any that are damaged or modified. You must run it in a console with administrator privileges, and it's often crucial when you suspect a system file has become corrupted.

If you want to free up space from CMD, CLEANMGR opens Disk Cleanup, allowing you to choose a drive and delete temporary files, old error reports, or previous Windows installations, among other items.

To measure performance, WINSAT FORMAL runs a full system benchmark that evaluates the CPU, RAM, graphics, and disk. You can also use variants like WINSAT CPUFORMAL, MEMFORMAL, GRAPHICSFORMAL, or DISKFORMAL if you're only interested in measuring a specific component.

Traditional defragmentation is done with DEFRAG , which initiates the process of reorganizing data on a mechanical hard drive to improve access times. On SSDs, traditional defragmentation isn't necessary, but Windows manages it intelligently in the background.

If you need to work at a low level with partitions, DISKPART is an advanced utility that, with commands like LIST DISK or LIST VOLUME , displays all the disks and volumes on your computer and allows you to create, delete, and configure partitions. It's very powerful, so use it with caution.

To control shutdown from the console, SHUTDOWN is the command to use. You can shut down the computer with shutdown -s -t TimeInSeconds (scheduling the shutdown), restart it with shutdown -r , or even close the current session without shutting down using other specific parameters.

If you only want to log out of your current account but keep the computer turned on, LOGOFF logs off the active user, returning the system to the login screen.

Ten “secret” CMD commands you should always have on hand

In addition to the diagnostic commands we've already seen, there are a number of commands that, when used judiciously, give you very fine control over network, files, and configuration. Many users barely touch them, but they are veritable Swiss Army knives.

The first is ipconfig , which we have already discussed, but which deserves special mention: not only does it show you details of the network configuration, but with combinations like ipconfig /flushdns you can empty the DNS cache to solve problems accessing certain websites.

To shut down, restart, or hibernate your PC from the command line, `shutdown` is your best friend. Parameters like `shutdown /s /f /t 0` shut down immediately, ` shutdown /r` restarts, and ` shutdown /h` puts the system into hibernation, which is very useful when the graphical interface is frozen.

We've already seen tracert , which lets you see which nodes your connection passes through to reach a remote server, but combined with other network commands it becomes a very powerful diagnostic tool for administrators.

CHKDSK , used with the correct switches, becomes the best friend of anyone who suspects a problem with their hard drive. A scheduled chkdsk C: /f /r at reboot can save you from volume errors and bad sectors before things get worse.

The executable systeminfo.exe concentrates a fairly complete system report into a single command, perfect for quick inventories, audits, or sharing with technical support without having to take a thousand screenshots.

The `assoc` command lets you manage file associations, which determines which program opens by default with each file extension. You'll see something like `.txt=txtfile` , and you can change these associations so that certain file types always open with the program you want.

The ping command is a classic one that everyone has heard of. It sends ICMP packets to a remote address and measures the response time, helping you determine if a server is reachable and what the latency of your connection to it is.

We've already mentioned netstat , but it deserves to be on this list because it's a fundamental tool for checking active connections, listening ports, or potentially suspicious connections that might reveal malware or unauthorized software.

With tasklist and its companion taskkill, you can monitor and control all processes without needing to open Task Manager. They are especially useful in remote console sessions, where you don't have a graphical interface.

Finally, `attrib` lets you change file and folder attributes, such as hidden (h), read-only (r), or system (s). For example, `attrib +h +r -s file.txt` marks it as hidden and read-only but removes its system status—a quick way to protect or hide specific files.

Mastering all these commands, both those in the Run dialog box and those in the Command Prompt, transforms the way you work with Windows. Instead of wasting time navigating through menus and submenus , you jump directly to the exact tool you need, you can diagnose problems in minutes, and you also learn how the system really works internally—something that's always useful if you want to take your user skills to the next level.