How to run commands from Windows 11 file explorer

The running commands from file explorer of Windows 11 is a little-known function among the general public, but it is useful since it facilitates the opening of applications and internal tools of the system in a very simple and fast way.

The file explorer will be revamped soon to add a long-awaited component, tabs. It’s a standard feature in the Mac Finder, in Linux managers, and in third-party developments like the fantastic ‘Files’, but which, inexplicably, doesn’t yet have the native Windows manager.

It is expected to be available in Windows 11 22H2, allowing users to multitask and move between different Explorer directories without the need to activate duplicate instances of the same application. It will also feature a new home page and quick access area at the top of the screen, as well as the ability to pin individual files (favorites) and contextual suggestions powered by Context IQ to make it easier to find files.

Commands from Windows 11 file explorer

The browser allows you to perform other functions beyond the typical ones dedicated to managing files and folders. One of them is little known among the general public, but interesting because it offers the possibility of execute commands from the same manager.

The execution of commands is not as powerful as that of a full console like the Windows cmd and it does not have its possibilities, but it allows, for example, the quick opening of applications in a very simple way as we are going to remind you in this simple tutorial that any user can use.

• Open the file explorer through its desktop icon or with the hotkey shortcut “Windows + E”.

• Click on the address bar. For the example, type “Calc” and hit enter. You will see how the calculator opens:

The list of supported commands is long and can be used to launch almost any native app included in Windows 11 and also the system tools such as those in the control panel, the disk manager, the task manager, the same Windows consoles (CMD or Powershell) or the Windows registry.

It also allows quick access to the default File Explorer folders, although this feature is less useful once we are already in the same browser.

some of the commands that can be executed under the same method are:

• documents – open the documents folder.
• download – open the downloads folder.
• favorites – open the favorites folder.
• pictures – open the images folder.
• videos – open the video folder.
• calc – open the calculator.
• cleanmgr – open the disk cleaner.
• compmgmt.msc either compmgmtlauncher – opens the team manager.
• control – opens the control panel.
• cmd – open cmd, windows console
• devmgmt.msc – open device manager
• dxdiag – opens the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• explorer – launch a new instance of IE
• iexplore – lana the IE browser.
• msinfo32 – opens the system information tool.
• mstscs – open a remote desktop connection.
• notebook – open notepad
• paint – open the drawing application.
• power shell – launches the Windows PowerShell advanced console.
• regedit – opens the registry editor.
• taskmgr – open the task manager.
• write – open the word processor.

It is just a sample of the commands that can be used in this interesting feature, much less known than those related to files and folders, but which allows us to opening of Applications from the same file explorer.