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Windows 10 commands/shortcuts/env. var.

Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Messages
7,023 (1.31/day)
I took my time and tested commands/shortcuts from good old (XP) days to see which of them work under Windows 10. Some of them do, others don't, some things are new, others just changed or got axed. Of course today not many people love to use win+r (Run) commands because with Cortana things are easier but anywho for all old-style Run lovers:

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appdata - AppData folder
calc - Calculator
charmap - Character Map
cleanmgr - Disk Cleanup
cmd - Command Prompt
colorcpl - Color Management
CompMgmtLauncher - Computer Management
dccw - Display Color Calibration
dcomcnfg - Component Services
debug - C:\Windows\debug
devicepairingwizard - Add a device
dialer - Phone dialer
dfrgui - Optimize Drives (defragmentation)
dpiscaling - Display
dxdiag - DirectX Diagnostic Utility
eudcedit - Private Character Editor
explorer - File Explorer
fonts
ftp
iexplore
- Internet Explorer
iexplore -extoff - Internet Explorer No Add-ons
iexplore about:blank - Internet Explorer Blank Page
lpksetup - Install/Uninstall Display Languages
magnify
mip - Math Input Panel
mblctr - Windows Mobility Center
mdsched - Windows Memory Diagnostic
mmc - Microsoft Management Console
mobsync - Sync Center
msconfig - Configuration to edit startup files
msdt - Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool
msinfo32 - Microsoft System Information Utility
mspaint - MSPaint
narrator
netplwiz
- User Accounts
notepad - Notepad
nslookup - Returns your local DNS server
odbcad32 - ODBC Data Source Administrator
onedrive - OneDrive
osk - Onscreen Keyboard
presentationsettings
printui
- Printer User Interface
psr - Steps Recorder
recdisc - Create a system repair disc
regedit - Registry Editor
regedt32 - Registry Editor
rstrui - System Restore
sdclt - Backup and Restore
sigverif - File Signature Verification
slui - Windows Activation (online)
slui 4 - Windows Activation (phone)
sndvol - Volume Mixer
snippingtool
system32
- C:\Windows\System32
syswow64 - C:\Windows\SysWOW64
tabcal - Digitizer Calibration Tool
taskmgr - Task manager
utilman - Ease of Access Center, same as win+u
verifier - Driver Verifier Manager
wiaacmgr - Scan
winver - Widows version
wmplayer - Windows Media Player
write - Wordpad

Control
control - Control Panel
control admintools - Administrative Tools
control folders - File Explorer Options
control netconnections - Network Connections
control printers - Devices and Printers
control srchadmin.dll - Indexing Options
control userpasswords2 - User Accounts

Self-explanatory​

control /name Microsoft.autoplay
control /name Microsoft.CredentialManager
control /name Microsoft.DefaultPrograms
control /name Microsoft.HomeGroup
control /name Microsoft.IndexingOptions
control /name Microsoft.LocationandOtherSensors
control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter
control /name Microsoft.Recovery
control /name Microsoft.RemoteAppandDesktopConnections
control /name Microsoft.TaskbarandStartMenu
control /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting
control /name Microsoft.UserAccounts



System Properties
SystemPropertiesComputerName
SystemPropertiesHardware
SystemPropertiesAdvanced
SystemPropertiesPerformance
SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention
SystemPropertiesProtection
SystemPropertiesRemote



Microsoft Management Consoles​

azman.msc - Authorization Manager
certmgr.msc - Certificate Manager
compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
fsmgmt.msc - Shared Folders
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
gpedit.msc - Group Policy
lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups
perfmon.msc - Performance Monitor
printmanagement.msc - Print Management
rsop.msc - Resultant Set of Policy
secpol.msc - Local Security Policy
services.msc - Services
tpm.msc - Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management
taskschd.msc - Task Scheduler
wf.msc - Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

Control Panel Shortcuts​

appwiz.cpl - Programs and Features
desk.cpl - Screen Resolution
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
hdwwiz.cpl - Device Manager
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
intl.cpl - Region
joy.cpl - Game Controllers
main.cpl keyboard - Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
mmsys.cpl - Sound
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
powercfg.cpl - Power Options
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
telephon.cpl - Phone and Modem options
timedate.cpl - Date and Time
wscui.cpl - Security and Maintenance


I'm sure there're trillion other things but it's all I recall/use. I can't know everything but I don't like copypaste so feel free to add things you know.


Windows Environment Variables​


%ALLUSERSPROFILE% - ProgramData folder
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures - Account Pictures
%CommonProgramFiles% - C:\Program Files\Common Files
%CommonProgramFiles(x86)% - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
%HomeDrive% - Drive connected to the user's home directory
%LOCALAPPDATA% - Temporary files of Applications (Desktop Themes, Windows Error Reporting, Caching and profiles of web browsers)
%programfiles% - Program Files
%programw6432% - Program Files
%programfiles(x86)% - Program Files (x86)
%systemdrive% - System Drive
%systemroot% - Windows folder
%temp% - Temp folder
%UserProfile% - User's Profile
%WinDir% - Windows folder



Microsoft Office 2019​

excel - Microsoft Excel
lync - Skype for Business
msaccess - Microsoft Access
mspub - Microsoft Publisher
onenote - Microsoft OneNote
outlook - Microsoft Outlook
powerpnt - Microsoft PowerPoint
visio - Microsoft Visio
winproj - Microsoft Project
winword - Microsoft Word

Some bonus stuff:

3d objects - 3D Objects folder
desktop - Desktop
documents - Documents folder
downloads - Downloads folder
favorites - Favorites folder
logoff - Logs out of Windows
music - Music folder
pictures - Pictures folder
recent - Recent folder
videos - Videos folder


And finally some important Command Promt (Admin) commands anyone might need:
(right click on start button)


ZW0bQJR.jpg


chkdsk c: /r - Fixes errors on the disk; locates bad sectors and recovers readable information (if drive is not in use)
ipconfig /all - Windows IP Configuration
netstat -an - Displays all connections and listening ports in numerical form
ping - ping
powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c - shows High Performance plan in Power Options
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 - shows Ultimate Performance plan in Power Options
powercfg /l - lists all/existing power schemes
set - gets all environment variables
sfc /scannow - Sytem File Checker
systeminfo - System Information
taskkill - terminates tasks
tskill - ends a process
tracert - traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host
ver - displays the Windows version
whoami - computer name
wmic diskdrive get model,status - checks the S.M.A.R.T. status of the drives
wmic os get Caption, Version, BuildNumber, OSArchitecture - shows build number and OS architecture
 
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Update: Added new commands and here's a good guide by howtogeek How to Run Hyper-V on Windows 8.1/10.

It's an amazing program. I won't use VirtualBox or VMWare anymore
 
Someone was asking me about a easy full list of these commands /pics the other day, and I sent the a link to your post @Drone . I have them in my head.. or at least most of them.. lol So, I went ahead and stickied it to help anyone else that may need them. :toast:
 
Keyboard shortcuts to open programs:

Create a shortcut on the desktop to whatever program you want. Right click -> Properties and fill in the field there. Sadly the shortcut needs to remain on the desktop, but you can hide it.

Fun fact: If you had keyboard shortcuts for programs pinned to your Windows 7 start menu, those shortcuts still work when you update to Windows 10.
 
a tiny update: (because I can't edit my OP)

win + r -> %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures -> ok

That folder stores your W10 avatar/account pictures
 
How to install language packs (manually)

First, make sure that you have the correct language pack matching your OS (32-bit or 64-bit).

win + r -> lpksetup -> ok -> install display languages - > Browse [pick the *.cab file of the MUI language you downloaded] -> Next.

Wait till it's installed. This can take a considerable amount of time (7-8 mins) and disk space. A System Restore point will be created.

To switch to the installed language pack go to

Control Panel -> Language -> Add a language (the one you just installed) -> Options -> Make this the primary language

This procedure will log you out/in and you're ready to go.
 
There's a detailed and thorough battery report giving useful information on battery's overall health and how much time of use you're getting between charges.

win + x -> Command Prompt (Admin) -> powercfg /batteryreport /output “C:\battery_report.html”

Open the HTML file to get a host of useful stats and data on your battery.
 
I totally forgot to include Windows 10 exclusive command called CompactOS

To reduce the total disk footprint, Windows 10 features a new option in the compact.exe built-in command line tool. CompactOS looks to be a nice upgrade over WIMBoot (in Windows 8.1) which had a lot of promise, but was not as effective as hoped.

In Windows 10, from an administrative command prompt, simply use the commands:

compact /compactos:query
This will query Windows to see if CompactOS is enabled or not

compact /compactos:always
This will enable CompactOS

compact /compactos:never
This will disable CompactOS


mk6ADlL.jpg
 
nice and usefull !

Here's one that's missing in your big list :

Code:
wiaacmgr

This will launch the embedded scanner and camera wizard, and will let you scan documents without using the software bundled with your AIO printer/scanner.
 
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Update:

MS upgraded regedit interface in Windows 10 Creators Update:


Like always hit win+r -> regedit -> enter

Now it has a new address bar:

1.jpg


Hit alt+d to focus on address bar. You can copy/cut/paste in address bar.


New address bar now understands shortcuts too:

hit alt+d and type HKCR in the address bar and hit enter: It will expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

HKCU will expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKLM expands HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKU expands HKEY_USERS


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I didn't see on your list using Win-X to bring up the basic setup of system tools like the original control panel, easy access to device manager, etc. not technically a list of commands, but at least a shortcut :)
 
I didn't see on your list using Win-X to bring up the basic setup of system tools like the original control panel, easy access to device manager, etc. not technically a list of commands, but at least a shortcut :)

Win+X (or right click on Windows icon) isn't really useful anymore. MS removed classic control panel from the list and changed programs and features to Apps and Features. To get to Programs and Features you have to go to Apps and Features first (Metro UI) (it's in the top right corner).

And classic cmd also left the win+x and File list, you have to do it old way (win+r -> cmd -> enter).

1380.jpg



3.jpg


Now it's easier to access Power Options directly from the taskbar.

2.jpg
 
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Win+X (or right click on Windows icon) isn't really useful anymore. MS removed classic control panel from the list and changed programs and features to Apps and Features. To get to Programs and Features you have to go to Apps and Features first (Metro UI) (it's in the top right corner).

And classic cmd also left the win+x and File list, you have to do it old way (win+r -> cmd -> enter).

1380.jpg



3.jpg


Now it's easier to access Power Options directly from the taskbar.

2.jpg

I thought the Classic Control Panel was replaced by "Settings", but I'm not directly in front of an updated WinX box right now. And I never used the cmd prompt from there, it was always quicker for me to stick with "muscle memory" for Win-R "cmd" :)

I never did understand why they made it so much harder to access different control panel settings....


*edit
Doing some quick research, it looks like that isn't the case. I guess I need to download Win-X Editor to have for fixing client PCs.
I also use the win-x for Computer management and Disk management, never actually used the power management there, habit had me hitting control panel, and typing "power" to get those options :)
 
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Win+X (or right click on Windows icon) isn't really useful anymore. MS removed classic control panel from the list and changed programs and features to Apps and Features. To get to Programs and Features you have to go to Apps and Features first (Metro UI) (it's in the top right corner).

And classic cmd also left the win+x and File list, you have to do it old way (win+r -> cmd -> enter).

1380.jpg



3.jpg


Now it's easier to access Power Options directly from the taskbar.

2.jpg

I hate the fact that the control panel classic is missing from windows 10. My work around was simply to type in control panel in the start menu search bar and then pin the resulting control panel shortcut to the start menu quick access panel or taskbar

I think I'm unwilling to change with the times :)
 
I've put a shortcut to the classic control panel in my RocketDock. Works fine for me. Though it's been a while I actually had to make use of it tbh...
 
I've put a shortcut to the classic control panel in my RocketDock. Works fine for me. Though it's been a while I actually had to make use of it tbh...
I understand. I don't have to hit my own control panel often at all. I do, however, have to hit my clients' on a regular basis, since if I'm at their station, it's usually because they broke something, or need something added, and repairs half of the time involve me digging into the control panel for something. If it's not that, then it's printer/scanner, or power issues, etc etc...
 
Win+X (or right click on Windows icon) isn't really useful anymore. MS removed classic control panel from the list and changed programs and features to Apps and Features. To get to Programs and Features you have to go to Apps and Features first (Metro UI) (it's in the top right corner).

And classic cmd also left the win+x and File list, you have to do it old way (win+r -> cmd -> enter).

1380.jpg



3.jpg


Now it's easier to access Power Options directly from the taskbar.

2.jpg
By the By, they actually haven't removed the Classic Control Panel from Win-X. I just pulled all the updates for a client laptop this morn, and Win-x still provides me a "Control Panel", which leads to the standard windows control panel.:toast:
 
By the By, they actually haven't removed the Classic Control Panel from Win-X. I just pulled all the updates for a client laptop this morn, and Win-x still provides me a "Control Panel", which leads to the standard windows control panel.:toast:

There is Control Panel in Anniversary Update win+x menu. I was talking about Creators Update. They changed Control Panel to Settings, Programs and Features to Apps and Features. Power Options and Network Connections now open in Metro style.
 
There is Control Panel in Anniversary Update win+x menu. I was talking about Creators Update. They changed Control Panel to Settings, Programs and Features to Apps and Features. Power Options and Network Connections now open in Metro style.
ew.
 
I'd like to disable Skype and all the crap that I don't need in windows 10. I've gone through the settings and removed it from the optional program list but I still see Skype and some other executables or processes running in task manager , i'm sure there's a way
 
I've uninstalled skype and it's gone completely. It won't appear even when I install a new build
 
I've uninstalled skype and it's gone completely. It won't appear even when I install a new build

Now if that'd work for OneDrive... :D
 
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