The following list provides you with detailed information on tools that you can run on Windows PCs using nothing but a short name that is associated with them.
This is the third part of the administrative tools series here on Ghacks. The first two parts looked at Control Panel shortcuts, and Microsoft Management Console snap-ins such as services.msc.
This article is all about shortcuts that you can run to start various tools on the Windows operating system.
Note that most shortcuts work in all versions of Windows, but that some may be reserved to certain versions. Depending on the version of Windows that you are using, you may either run most commands directly from Start, or by using the run box (Windows-R) or command prompt.
These shortcuts allow you to run administrative Windows tools, some programs, and open some folders, directly from Start or the Run box.
List of Windows tools
| Tool Shortcut | Name | Description |
| calc | Calculator | Launches the Calculator |
| charmap | Character Map | Loads the Character Map which enables you to browse and copy characters. |
| cleanmgr | Disk Cleanup | Starts Disk Cleanup to remove temporary and no longer needed files from the Windows machine |
| cmd | Command Prompt | Loads the Command Prompt window to work on the command line. |
| colorcpl | Color Management | Manage displays and color profiles. |
| control | Control Panel | Loads the Windows Control Panel |
| credwiz | Stored User Names and Passwords | Back up or restore your stored user names and passwords |
| dcomcnfg | Component Services | Loads the Component Services management interface. |
| defrag | Defragment and optimize drives | |
| dfrgui | Optimize Drives | List connected drives, optimization status, and option to analyze or optimize manually. |
| dialer | Phone Dialer | Phone Dialer interface to call someone |
| dxdiag | DirectX Diagnostic Tool | Run diagnostics on the system’s DirectX capabilities. |
| eudcedit | Private Character Editor | Create letters or logos for your font library. |
| eventvwr | Event Viewer | Opens the Windows Event Viewer. |
| fonts | Fonts | Opens the Fonts folder |
| iexpress | Iexpress Wizard | Create self-extracting and/or self-installing package |
| lpksetup | Install or uninstall display languages | Lets you install or uninstall display languages on Windows |
| magnify | Magnifier | Opens the Accessibility tool Magnifier |
| mblctr | Windows Mobility Center | Control brightness, volume, power and screen on mobile devices |
| mdsched | Windows Memory Diagnostics | Run tests to find out if memory problems exist |
| migwiz | Opens WindowsSystem32migwiz | |
| mmc | Microsoft Management Console | Opens the Microsoft Management Console interface |
| mobsync | Sync Center | Loads the Sync Center Control Panel applet |
| mrt | Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool | Loads the Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove viruses and other dangerous files. |
| msconfig | System Configuration | Configure startup and boot, and services. |
| msinfo32 | System Information | Displays information on system hardware, and software. |
| mspaint | Microsoft Paint | Loads the image viewer and editor |
| mstsc | Remote Desktop Connection | Connect to a remote desktop |
| notepad | Notepad | Opens the text editor |
| osk | On-Screen Keyboard | Displays the on-screen keyboard for input |
| perfmon | Performance Monitor | Loads the Performance Monitor to manage system performance |
| regedit | Registry Editor | Launches the Windows Registry Editor |
| rstrui | System Restore | Restore system files and settings |
| shrpubw | Create a shared folder wizard | Wizard to create new shared folders |
| sigverif | File Signature Verification | Check and configure file signature verification |
| slui | Windows Activation | Change product key |
| sndvol | Volume Mixer | Manager volumes for individual apps and globally |
| Systempropertiesadvanced | System Properties | Displays the Advanced tab of the System Properties |
| Systempropertiescomputername | System Properties | Displays the Computer Name tab of System Properties |
| Systempropertieshardware | System Properties | Loads the Hardware tab of the System Properties |
| Systempropertiesperformance | Performance options | Tweak performance related settings. |
| Systempropertiesprotection | System Properties | Loads the System Protection tab of System Properties |
| Systempropertiesremote | System Properties | Loads the Remote tab of System Properties |
| taskmgr | Task Manager | Loads the Windows Task Manager interface |
| telnet | Telnet | Telnet interface |
| utilman | Accessibility | Opens Accessibility options |
| verifier | Driver Verifier Manager | Verify installed drivers |
| wab | Opens the contacts folder of the signed in user | |
| wabmig | Import to Windows Contacts | Import files with contact information to Windows Contacts |
| wiaacmgr | Windows Scan | Loads the scan interface if a scanner is installed |
| winver | Windows Version | Displays Windows version information |
| wmplayer | Windows Media Player | Loads the multimedia player |
| write | WordPad | Loads the WordPad editor |
Closing Words
While you may have no need for all of the tool shortcuts, some may come in quite handy, especially if you can work them in your workflow as it would take longer to load some of the tools or features using other methods.
Now You: What are your favorite tools? Did we miss a tool? Let us know in the comments