How To Run Commands From Windows 10's File Explorer

File Explorer is one of the core apps from any recent version of Windows. It's the place you go to when you need to manage your files and folders. However, File Explorer also has some other hidden capabilities. One spectacular feature is the fact that File Explorer lets you run Windows commands straight from its address bar. It's not something you would think possible, but it is real! For instance, you can use File Explorer's address bar to quickly run Command Prompt, open Control Panel or even launch WordPad. Read on to see how this all works:

How To Run Commands From Windows 10's File Explorer

First of all, you'll need to open File Explorer. A super fast way to do it is for you to simultaneously press the Windows + E keys from your keyboard. But if you'd like to see other ways of launching File Explorer in Windows 10, check this guide we wrote a while ago: 9 Ways To Open File Explorer In Windows 10.

Once you've opened File Explorer, click or tap on its address bar.

NOTE: A faster way to get to File Explorer's address bar is to press the Alt + D keys on your keyboard.

Now simply type the command you want to execute. For instance, if you'd like to launch a Command Prompt, type cmd.

Now, to run the command you typed, all you have to do is press on the Go to arrow from the right side of the address bar, or simply pressEnter on your keyboard.

Windows 10's File Explorer automatically interprets and executes the command you've entered. In our example, Command Prompt is now launched.

And that's it! Simple, right?

What Commands Can You Run From Windows 10's File Explorer?

We now know how to run commands from File Explorer's address bar. But what commands can we run? The list of commands is long, but we'd like to point out that you can use this method to launch almost any core app from Windows 10 and almost any setting from the Control Panel.

Here are a few of the commands you can run from Windows 10's File Explorer's address bar:

• documents - opens your Documents folder.
• downloads - opens your Downloads folder.
• favorites - opens the Favorites folder from your Windows 10's Internet Explorer.
• pictures - opens your Pictures folder.
• videos - opens your Videos folder.
• calc - opens the Calculator app.
• cleanmgr - opens Disk Cleanup.
• compmgmt.msc or compmgmtlauncher - opens the Computer Management console.
• control - launches Control Panel.
• cmd - launches Command Prompt.
• devmgmt.msc - opens Device Manager.
• dxdiag - opens DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• explorer - launches a new instance of File Explorer.
• iexplore - launches Internet Explorer.
• magnify - opens Magnifier.
• mip - opens Math Input Panel.
• msinfo32 - opens System Information.
• mstscs - opens Remote Desktop Connection.
• narrator - opens Narrator.
• notepad - opens Notepad.
• osk - launches On-Screen Keyboard.
• paint - opens Paint.
• powershell - launches Windows PowerShell.
• regedit - opens Registry Editor.
• sndvol - opens Volume Mixer.
• snippingtool - opens Snipping Tool.
• stikynot - opens Sticky Notes.
• taskmgr - opens Task Manager.
• winver - opens About Windows.
• wmplayer - launches Windows Media Player.
• write - opens Wordpad.