How to Access the Run Tool on Windows 11

Want to learn the different ways you can access the Run tool on Windows 11?

The Run tool is one of the Windows built-in utilities you can use to easily access resources in your computer whose path is known. By using the Run command, you can directly start programs, open files and folders, launch the registry editor and group policy editor, access internet resources, and more.

It features a single-line command-line interface. You can simply type in a path or a command that you’re supposed to remember and execute the command. As with all Windows built-in tools, there are numerous ways to access the Run command as well.

Windows does this so that its users have multiple options, and they can choose whichever one is most convenient or feasible for them at the time. Below we’ve covered around eight different methods for you to follow to access the Run tool on Windows 11.

So let’s get straight to it!

1. Access the Run Tool on Windows 11 With Keyboard Shortcut.

To make life easier for users, Windows provides keyboard shortcuts for numerous operations. The main goal is to minimize input sequences in order to expedite common functions, and the Windows Run tool is no exception. This method works in almost all Windows OS versions, from Windows 7 to Windows 11.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press the Win + R keys from your keyboard to access the Run dialog box. 

2. Access the Run Tool From Power User Menu.

The Start menu in all Windows versions provides a quick way to launch many programs. But it doesn’t feature the basic utilities. To access those, Windows offers another menu called the Power User or Quick Access Menu that allows you to access the Run tool and other similar essential features with just one click. 

Below are the steps you must follow:

1. Start by pressing the Win + X keys from your keyboard. 

2. This will open the Power User menu. From there, click on Run to launch the Run tool on Windows 11. 

You may also access the Run dialog box from Start Menu by following the steps below: 

1. Right-click on the Start Menu on your PC. 
   
2. Next, select Run from the pop-up options that appear. This should open the Run dialog box. 

3. Access the Run Tool Via Windows Search.

Another easy way to find just about any document, folder, application, utility, etc., is to use the Windows Search option. Just type what you’re looking for, and it will be opened, displayed in its folder, and more.

Use the steps below to do so:

1. Press the Win + S keys from your keyboard to open Windows Search. 
   
2. Click on the search bar at the top and type ‘run.’ 
   
3. Now, choose Open from the right pane to launch it. 

4. Use File Explorer.

File Explorer in Windows 11 is primarily used to manage files and folders on your PC. However, its function is not only limited to that. You can use this program to access many tools, including the Run command. 

Here’s how:

1. Head to the Power User menu from your computer by pressing Win + X keys from your keyboard. 
   
2. After that, click on File Explorer. 

3. A File Explorer window will appear. Now, click on the address bar present at the top. 
   
4. Type in ‘Run’ and press the Enter key from your keyboard to launch Run.

Pressing the Enter key should open the Run dialog box. If you’re unable to do so, you may also access the Run command box via Command Prompt by following the next method from this guide. 

5. Via Command Prompt.

Available in almost all Windows versions, Command Prompt is one of the widely used command-line interpreters to elicit actions. Apart from repairing system files, format drives, and executing other administrative commands, it can also be used to access the Run tool on Windows 11.

Use the steps below to do so:

1. Begin by clicking on the Start menu from the taskbar and type in ‘command prompt’ in the search bar. Alternatively, press Win + S keys from your keyboard to access Windows Search. 
   
2. Click on the same under the Best match present at the left pane, and select Run as administrator from the right pane. 

3. A User Account Control prompt will appear on your screen. Choose Yes to proceed.

4. This will open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. From there, copy and paste the following command and hit the Enter key to open the Run dialog: 

explorer.exe Shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}

6. Via Windows PowerShell.

Apart from Command Prompt, Windows also offers another command-line prompt known as PowerShell. So if you’re one of those that prefer PowerShell over Command Prompt, use this method to access the Run tool on Windows 11 via this built-in utility.

Below are the steps you must follow:

1. Press the Win and S keys simultaneously from your keyboard to open Windows Search on your PC. You may also click on the Start menu from the taskbar to do so. 
   
2. Next, click on the search bar and type in ‘Windows PowerShell.’ Now, select Run as administrator from the right pane. 

3. From the User Account Control window that opens, click on Yes to continue.
    
4. In the Windows PowerShell window, enter the following command: 

(New-Object -ComObject "Shell.Application").FileRun()

5. This should open the Run dialog box on the bottom-left side of your screen.
   
   

7. Access the Run Tool Using Windows Tools.

Microsoft also has a dedicated folder for all Windows utilities and tools so that system administrators or advanced users can access them all from a single place. It includes Task Scheduler, Event Viewer, and other such tools alongside the Run command. 

Here’s how you can access the Run tool by using this method:

1. Go to the Start menu and click on the search bar. 
   
2. Type in ‘Control Panel’ in the search bar, select the same from the left pane and click on Open from the right side. 
   
3. Once the Control Panel window opens, select the drop-down menu next to View by and click on Large icons.
   
4. Now, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Windows Tools. 

5. Finally, look for Run and double-click on it to launch the dialog box. 

8. Create a Run Shortcut on Desktop.

Last but not the least, you can also add the Run tool as a shortcut to your desktop. This is one of the most convenient options if you rely on this tool and frequently require its access. 

Use the steps below to add the Run shortcut to your desktop:

1. First, right-click on the blank area of your desktop.
   
2. Bring your cursor to hover over New, then select Shortcut.

3. Now, paste the following command in the location field and click Next.

explorer.exe Shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}

4. Change the shortcut name to Run and click on Finish.

Here, we end our guide on how to access the Run tool on Windows 11. For more questions, use the comment section below. We’ll respond to you as soon as possible.

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