List of Windows tools

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
dpiscaling	DPI Scaling	Opens the DPI preferences.
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
fsquirt	Bluetooth File Transfer	Program to send or receive files using Bluetooth
iexplore	Internet Explorer	Starts the Internet Explorer web browser/td>
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 Windows\System32\migwiz
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.
msdt	Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool	Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool
msinfo32	System Information	Displays information on system hardware, and software.
mspaint	Microsoft Paint	Loads the image viewer and editor
msra	Windows Remote Assistance	Offer or receive remote assistance
mstsc	Remote Desktop Connection	Connect to a remote desktop
netplwiz	User Accounts	Manage Windows users acocunts
notepad	Notepad	Opens the text editor
optionalfeatures	Windows Features	Loads Windows Features to turn features on or off.
osk	On-Screen Keyboard	Displays the on-screen keyboard for input
perfmon	Performance Monitor	Loads the Performance Monitor to manage system performance
prefetch	Prefetch Folder	Opens Windows\Prefetch
printbrmui	Printer Migration	Import Printer queues and drivers to a file, or export the data.
presentationsettings	Presentation Settings	Opens Presentation Settings (mobile only)
rasphone	Remote Access Phone Book	Remote Access Phone Book
regedit	Registry Editor	Launches the Windows Registry Editor
rekeywiz	Encrypting File System	Manage file encryption certificates
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
snippingtool	Snipping Tool	Capture screenshots
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
syskey	Securing the Windows Account Database	Configure Accounts database to enable additional encryption
system.ini	system.ini	Loads the file system.ini
tabcal	Digitizer Calibration Tool	Calibrate digitizers
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
win.ini	win.ini	Loads the file win.ini
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

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