This guide covers the most genuinely useful Run commands, grouped by what they do. Bookmark it, print it, or pin it somewhere you can glance at it while you work.

How to Open the Run Dialog

Three ways to get there:

• Press Windows key + R (fastest)
• Right-click the Start button and choose Run
• Search for “Run” in the Start menu

Type your command, press Enter to open it normally or press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open it as an administrator, useful for tools that need elevated permissions.

System Tools You Will Use All the Time

msconfig — System Configuration

Type msconfig and you get the System Configuration window. This is where you manage startup options, boot settings, and which services run when Windows starts. If your PC feels sluggish at boot, this is your first stop.

msinfo32 — System Information

Need to know your exact Windows version, how much RAM is installed, or what processor you have? Type msinfo32 and you get a full snapshot of your hardware and software environment — handy before calling tech support or buying new software.

devmgmt.msc — Device Manager

Drivers acting up? A device not recognised? Type devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager instantly. You can update, disable, or uninstall drivers from here without digging through Control Panel.

taskmgr — Task Manager

Yes, Ctrl + Alt + Delete works too, but typing taskmgr in Run opens Task Manager directly. Useful when the keyboard shortcut route feels slow or when you are already at the Run dialog for something else.

eventvwr — Event Viewer

When something crashes or behaves oddly, eventvwr opens the Event Viewer, which logs system warnings, errors, and information events. It takes a little reading, but it is often the fastest way to understand why something went wrong.

File and Folder Shortcuts

explorer — File Explorer

Just typing explorer opens a new File Explorer window. Not earth-shattering, but useful if your taskbar icon has somehow disappeared or you need a fresh window quickly.

. (a single dot) — Current User Folder

Type a single . (full stop) in the Run box and press Enter. Windows opens your personal user folder — the one that contains Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and so on. A tiny trick that saves real time.

.. (two dots) — Users Folder

Two dots (..) takes you one level up to the Users folder, where all user profiles on the machine live. Useful on shared or work computers.

%appdata% — AppData Roaming Folder

Many applications store their settings and data in the hidden AppData folder. Type %appdata% to jump straight to the Roaming subfolder. This is where you find saved data for apps like Discord, Spotify, and many others — helpful when you need to back up or troubleshoot app settings.

%localappdata% — Local AppData Folder

Similar to the above, %localappdata% opens the Local subfolder of AppData, which stores app caches and local configuration files. Clearing cache folders here can sometimes fix misbehaving apps.

%temp% — Temporary Files Folder

Type %temp% to open the folder where Windows and applications dump temporary files. You can safely delete everything inside (Windows will skip anything currently in use). Doing this occasionally frees up disk space and can speed things up a little.

Control Panel and Settings Shortcuts

control — Control Panel

The classic control command opens the full Control Panel. Microsoft has moved many settings to the modern Settings app, but Control Panel still holds tools that have not made the jump — like advanced network settings and legacy hardware options.

appwiz.cpl — Programs and Features

Want to uninstall a program without navigating through Settings? Type appwiz.cpl and the old-school Programs and Features window opens immediately. It is often faster than the modern Apps list in Settings.

ncpa.cpl — Network Connections

Type ncpa.cpl to see all your network adapters — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN connections, and more. Right-click any adapter to disable it, check its status, or change its properties. This is far quicker than hunting through Network Settings.

firewall.cpl — Windows Defender Firewall

Opens the firewall settings directly. Useful if an app is being blocked and you need to add an exception, or if you want to check that the firewall is active.

sysdm.cpl — System Properties

This opens the System Properties dialog, which gives you access to computer name, domain settings, hardware profiles, and the all-important Environment Variables — essential if you do any development work.

timedate.cpl — Date and Time Settings

A quick way to check or change your system clock and time zone. Handy if your clock has drifted and is causing certificate or sync errors.

Disk and Performance Tools

diskmgmt.msc — Disk Management

Type diskmgmt.msc to see every drive and partition on your system. You can resize, format, or assign drive letters here. Essential when adding a new drive or troubleshooting a missing partition.

cleanmgr — Disk Cleanup

The built-in Disk Cleanup tool. It scans for temporary files, old Windows update files, and other junk you can safely remove. Not as thorough as third-party tools, but it is free, safe, and already on your machine.

perfmon — Performance Monitor

For those who want to go deeper, perfmon opens Performance Monitor, where you can track CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in real time or over a recorded period. It is more detailed than Task Manager.

Quick Access to Common Applications

Run commands are not limited to system tools. You can also open standard Windows apps directly:

• calc — Calculator
• notepad — Notepad
• mspaint — Paint
• wordpad — WordPad
• snippingtool — Snipping Tool
• cmd — Command Prompt
• powershell — Windows PowerShell
• mstsc — Remote Desktop Connection
• osk — On-Screen Keyboard
• magnify — Magnifier

The hardest part is remembering these commands exist. A good approach is to pick just two or three that match tasks you do every week — uninstalling software, clearing temp files, checking network adapters and use the Run dialog for those until it becomes second nature. The rest will follow.

This guide walks you through several methods — from the built-in tools Windows already gives you to a few manual tricks worth knowing. Pick whichever approach suits you best.

What Are Temporary Files, Exactly?

Temporary files are created by Windows and your applications as they work. Installers unpack files they need only during setup. Browsers cache images and scripts so pages load faster on your next visit. Windows Update keeps old copies of system files in case something goes wrong. These files are meant to be short-lived, but Windows doesn’t always clean them up automatically.

Common types include:

• System temp files — stored in C:\Windows\Temp
• User temp files — stored in %AppData%\Local\Temp
• Browser cache — varies by browser, but usually several hundred megabytes
• Windows Update cache — can grow to several gigabytes after major updates
• Recycle Bin contents — files you deleted but haven’t permanently removed
• Thumbnail cache — previews Windows generates for images and videos

None of these are essential to keep. Deleting them is safe.

Method 1: Use Storage Sense

Storage Sense is Microsoft’s built-in cleanup tool. It can run automatically on a schedule, which means you can set it once and largely forget about it.

Turn on Storage Sense

1. Open Settings (press Windows + I).
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Toggle Storage Sense to On.
4. Click Storage Sense (the text link, not just the toggle) to open its settings.
5. Choose how often it should run — options include every day, every week, or every month. Every month is a sensible default for most people.
6. Set when to delete files in your Recycle Bin and Downloads folder automatically, if you want that.

Run it manually right now

At the bottom of the Storage Sense settings page, you’ll see a Run Storage Sense now button. Click it for an immediate cleanup without waiting for the schedule.

Method 2: Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup has been part of Windows for decades. It’s straightforward and gives you a clear list of what it will delete before it does anything.

1. Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup, then open it.
2. Select the drive you want to clean — usually C: — and click OK.
3. Windows scans the drive and shows you a list of file categories with checkboxes. Each one shows how much space you’ll recover.
4. Tick the categories you want to remove. Safe choices include Temporary files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, and Thumbnails.
5. Click OK, then Delete Files to confirm.

Clean up system files too

For a deeper clean, click Clean up system files in the same window. This requires administrator rights and scans for larger items like Windows Update Cleanup — old update files that Windows keeps around after installing patches. This category alone can free up several gigabytes on a system that’s been running for a while.

Method 3: Delete Temp Files Manually

Sometimes you want to go straight to the source. Here’s how to clear the temp folders directly.

Clear the user temp folder

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type %temp% and press Enter. This opens your personal temp folder.
3. Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then press Delete.
4. Windows may warn you that some files are in use — click Skip for those. Active processes lock their temp files, and that’s fine to leave.

Clear the system temp folder

1. Press Windows + R again.
2. Type temp (without the percent signs) and press Enter.
3. Select all and delete as before, skipping any files that are in use.

You won’t break anything by doing this. If an app needs a temp file that you deleted, it will simply create a new one.

Method 4: Clear the Windows Update Cache

Windows keeps downloaded update files in a folder called SoftwareDistribution. Once updates are installed, those files serve no purpose — but they can take up a lot of space. Clearing them is safe, though it does mean Windows will have to re-download updates if it needs to reinstall them for any reason.

1. Press Windows + S and search for Command Prompt. Right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
   
   
   
   • net stop wuauserv
   
   
   • net stop bits
   
   
   
   These stop the Windows Update services so you can safely delete the files.
   
3. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
4. Select all files and delete them.
5. Go back to the Command Prompt and restart the services:
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start bits

This is the most involved method here, but it’s worth doing if your C: drive is running low and Disk Cleanup alone didn’t free enough space.

Method 5: Clear Your Browser Cache

Browser caches aren’t technically Windows temp files, but they live on your drive and can grow surprisingly large. Here’s the quick path for the most common browsers:

• Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete > set time range to All time > tick Cached images and files > click Clear data.
• Edge: Same shortcut — Ctrl + Shift + Delete — and the same steps.
• Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + Delete > choose Everything from the dropdown > tick Cache > click Clear Now.

Clearing the cache means some websites will load slightly slower on your next visit while they rebuild it. That’s a temporary trade-off.

How Often Should You Do This?

If you turn on Storage Sense with a monthly schedule, you mostly don’t need to think about it. For everyone else, a manual cleanup every one to three months is reasonable. If your drive is consistently near capacity, check more often — or consider whether it’s time for a larger drive or cloud storage for your files. Cleaning temp files is a maintenance task, but if your PC is genuinely slow, other factors — too many startup programs, outdated drivers, or insufficient RAM — may be the real culprits. But clearing out the clutter is always a good first step, and now you know exactly how to do it.

You can restart your Windows computer using just the keyboard using different techniques.

Restart using the Power User Menu
You can restart the computer using power user menu,
Press Win + X to open the Power User menu.
Press U to open the Shut down or sign out menu.
Press R to restart your computer.

Restart using the Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously.
Press the Tab key until the Power button is selected.
Press Enter button to open the Power menu.
Use the arrow keys to select Restart and press Enter button on the keyboard.

Restart using the Alt + F4 shortcut
You can close all the opened applications by pressing Alt + F4 repeatedly.
Once all applications are closed, press Alt + F4 again to open the Shut Down Windows dialog.
Use the arrow keys to select Restart and press Enter button on the keyboard.

Using any of the methods helps you to restart your Windows computer without touching the mouse. Do it yourself to experience the keyboard combinations to perform a smooth restart. It may help you when your computer freezes or in a moment you couldn’t use your mouse to restart your computer or do anything on your computer screen with your mouse.

But your work is still accessible to anybody by just by waking up the monitor or computer from the sleep. To setup the power and sleep setting, go to ‘Power & sleep’ in System Settings. Click  ‘Power & sleep’ , there you can see the screen turn off time, you can change the time to turn off the screen to sleep when not in use. The same way you can change the sleep mode time.

Now how to protect quickly from unauthorized access in our computer. You can setup a password to login your windows operating system. To set up a password on Windows, go to settings, then select ‘Accounts’, change your password by clicking ‘Change’ in ‘Password’. You can also create a PIN to login or you can use picture password to login to your PC.

To Lock PC you can use any of these methods,

Method 1 : Windows+L
Use the Windows key in keyboard and the L key. Just press Windows+L to lock your PC fast, to unlock hit enter and give the password.

Method 2 : Ctrl+Alt+Del
You can press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. A new full screen menu appears with blue background just click the first item in the menu, ‘Lock’.  Screen is locked now.

Method 3 : Use the Windows Start button
Click the Windows Start button located at the bottom-left corner of your PC’s screen. Click the user icon, a new menu popup select Lock. Screen will be locked.

Method 4 : Automatic locking
Do you want to automatically lock your screen. Go to windows Control Panel  (if you can’t find it, just search Control Panel), in ‘Control Panel’ click ‘Appearance & Personalization’. Then select ‘Change screen saver’ , there you can find a check box asking for ‘On resume, display logon screen’. The time to wait to start the screen saver can also can be set by giving the time in minutes to wait. See the screenshot to find the settings.

Which method you are using? Is there any other ways to lock the screen, if there please let us know.

Keep your PC safe with Windows Defender Antivirus which is built-in to Windows 10, that delivers comprehensive, ongoing and real-time protection against viruses, malware and spyware across email, apps, the cloud and the web. If you are having a third party antivirus installed on your PC, just uninstall all of your other antivirus programs first, Windows Defender Antivirus will automatically turn on (You may be asked to restart your device.).

Windows Defender

Windows Defender Antivirus is built-in to Windows 10, that scan and protect your computer against viruses and threats in real-time. Windows Defender uses real-time protection to scan everything you download or run on your PC. It also uses cloud-based protection (if enabled) to detect and block threats. Windows Defender will use the cloud to analyze the suspicious program, if you enabled the cloud based protection in Windows defender update and security settings. Windows Defender with cloud-based protection and automatic sample submission turned on, Windows defender sends samples to Microsoft malware sample and it will eventually help Microsoft to catch the threats earlier.

Turn-on Realtime Protection

When turn on realtime protection (go to Windows defender settings), defender can detect and stop malware from installing and running on your PC. You can turn this off temporarily, but it will turn-on automatically after some time. Select the Start button, then select Settings, go to Update & Security.
Select Windows Defender, then turn Real-time protection on or off.

Schedule a scan in Windows Defender

Windows Defender regularly scans your PC, but if you want to set your own scan schedule here is a trick.

Search for and open Schedule tasks.
In the left pane, expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows and then scroll down and double-click the Windows Defender folder.
In the top-center pane, double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.?
Select the Triggers tab, and then select New.
Set your time and frequency, and then select OK.

Types of Scans on Windows Defender

You can run a quick scan or advanced scan to check your device’s safety.

• Quick scan

If you’re concerned that you may have done something to introduce a suspicious file or virus to your device, use a quick scan to immediately check your device. Quick scan also saves you time when you don’t want to run a full scan on all your files and folders.

• Full scan

Checks the files and programs that are currently running on your device.

• Custom scan

Scan specific files or folders on your device.

• Windows Defender Offline scan

Run this scan when you are concerned that your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware. Run an offline scan to find and remove malware that can’t be found with a normal scan. To do this, select Scan offline in the Windows Defender settings.

Use enhanced notifications

If enhanced notification is off, you’ll get only critical notifications when a threat is found. If the enhanced notification is on, you’ll get critical notifications and additional notifications, like completed scans and recent Windows Defender activity. You can also see the results of your previous scans, and get the latest protection offered by Windows Defender Antivirus.

Ransomware protection

You can protect your valuable data and documents from ransomware attacks by using controlled folder access.

Windows Defender Security Center offers five type protections

• Virus & threat protection

This will monitor threats to your computer, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats.

• Device performance & health

See status about your device’s performance health and keep your device clean and up to date with the latest version of Windows 10.

• Firewall & network protection

Manage the settings for Windows Defender Firewall, and monitor what’s happening with your networks and Internet connections.

• App and browser control

Lets you use Windows Defender SmartScreen to help protect your device against potentially dangerous apps, files, sites, and downloads. Also provides exploit protection where you can customize protection settings for your devices.

• Family options

Provides easy access to managing your childrens’ online experiences and the devices in your household.

Did you configured your Windows defender for realtime virus protection, did you regularly update the virus database ? Which antivirus you are using, can you tell is it provide you adequate protection from all threats and ransomware’s.