Keyboard shortcut Win + R - one of the most popular in Windows. It opens the Run window, through which you can launch programs, commands and system utilities in two clicks. But what to do if this combination does not work on the laptop? Or key Win is broken and the Start menu won't open? In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to open the Run window, including alternative methods for Windows 10/11, macOS and even Linux.

Problem with Win + R most often occurs for three reasons: physical damage to the key Win, software failure (for example, after a system update) or disabling hot keys in the settings. We will not only show you how to press the combination correctly, but also tell you what to do if it doesn't work. We’ll also reveal secrets that are not written about in standard instructions (for example, how to launch “Run” through PowerShell or Termux on Android).

1. Standard method: how to correctly press Win + R on a laptop

On most laptops the combination Win + R works out of the box. But many users make mistakes when pressing, especially on compact devices (for example, Lenovo IdeaPad or ASUS Vivobook). Here are the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Find the key Win. It is usually located between Ctrl And Alt left (on some models Acer or HP - right). The logo is on the key Windows.
  2. Clamp Win and without letting her go, press once R (Latin layout!). Release both keys.
  3. If the keyboard layout is Russian, the combination will still work - letter R in the Russian layout it corresponds to R in English.

⚠️ Attention: On some laptops (eg Dell XPS or Microsoft Surface) key Fn active by default. This means that to press Win + R may be required additional clamping Fn (i.e. the combination will become Fn + Win + R). Check the setting in the BIOS or through the manufacturer's utility (for example, Dell Function Key Behavior).

📊 What brand is your laptop?
  • Lenovo
  • ASUS
  • HP
  • Dell
  • Acer
  • Apple
  • Other

If the combination doesn't work the first time, try:

  • 🔄 Press faster - some laptops require almost simultaneous pressing.
  • 🖥️ Connect an external keyboard - this way you can rule out a hardware malfunction.
  • 🔧 Restart laptop - sometimes hotkeys get stuck after updates.

2. Alternative ways to open Run without Win + R

If the key Win is broken or the combination doesn't work, there are at least 5 ways to open the Run window using other methods. They all work in Windows 10 And Windows 11:

Method 1: Through the Start menu

  1. Open the Start menu (click on the logo Windows or press the key Winif it works).
  2. Enter in the search bar execute (or run on English layout).
  3. Select the Run application from the search results.

Method 2: Via Task Manager

If the Start menu also does not open:

  1. Click Ctrl + Shift + Escto open task manager.
  2. From the menu, select File -> Run new task.
  3. In the window that appears, enter explorer shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0} and press Enter.

Make sure the Win key is not physically blocked

Try the combination on an external keyboard

Check BIOS settings (disable Fn Lock if available)

Update your keyboard drivers via Device Manager -->

Method 3: Create a shortcut on your desktop

If you often need to open Run, create a shortcut:

  1. Right click on the desktop → Create → Shortcut.
  2. In the "Specify the location of the object" field, enter explorer.exe shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}.
  3. Give the shortcut a name (for example, "Run") and save.

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky or ESET) can block the creation of such shortcuts, considering them suspicious. In this case, temporarily disable protection or add the file to exceptions.

3. If Win + R does not work: diagnostics and repair

If none of the methods help, the problem may be deeper. Let's look at possible causes and solutions:

Reason How to check Solution
Key Win locked by software Try pressing Win + L (screen lock). If it doesn't work, the key is disabled. Run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer and remove the parameter NoWinKeys (if there is one).
Keyboard driver is faulty Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) and check to see if there is an exclamation mark next to the keyboard. Update the driver via RMB → Update driver or download it from the laptop manufacturer's website.
Virus or malware Check the system Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner. Remove any threats found and reboot your laptop.
Physical damage to the key Connect an external keyboard - if you have one Win + R It works, the problem is in the hardware. Contact a service center or replace the keyboard yourself (on some models HP or Lenovo this can be done without soldering).

Important: On laptops Apple MacBook (with Windows via Boot Camp) key Win emulated by key Command (⌘). Therefore the combination will be ⌘ + R, but it conflicts with macOS recovery. To avoid problems, use the alternative methods from section 2.

4. How to open Run on Mac and Linux

Although the Run window is a feature Windows, similar tools are available in other operating systems. Here's how to run them:

On macOS (similar to Run)

  • 🔍 Spotlight: Click Command (⌘) + Space, enter the name of the program or command (for example, Terminal).
  • 🖱️ Automator: Create a script to launch applications via AppleScript.
  • 📁 Terminal: Open Terminal and enter open -a "Program name".

On Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora)

In most distributions, the equivalent of “Run” is:

  • 🐧 Alt + F2: Opens the Quick Launch window (in GNOME, KDE, XFCE).
  • 📝 Terminal: Any program can be launched via gnome-open or xdg-open.
  • 🔧 Dmenu: Lightweight launcher (install via sudo apt install dmenu).
💡

On Linux, you can create your own hotkey to launch a terminal with a pre-entered command. To do this, in the system settings (Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard shortcuts) add a new combination and specify a command like gnome-terminal -- bash -c "echo 'Your command'; exec bash".

5. Advanced features of the Run window

Many users use Run only to run cmd or msconfig, but it is a tool with huge potential. Here are a few little-known commands:

Team What does Usage example
shell:startup Opens the current user's startup folder. Add a program shortcut there so that it starts when the system starts.
control /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting Opens the troubleshooting center Windows. Useful if network connections or sound are not working.
dxdiag Launches the diagnostic tool DirectX. Check version DirectX or diagnose video problems.
wmic product get name Shows a list of installed programs (via cmd). Useful for removing junk software.

⚠️ Attention: Some commands (for example, gpedit.msc or secpol.msc) not available in home editions Windows (For example, Windows 10 Home). Trying to run them will result in the error “The file could not be found.” In this case, you can activate these tools via PowerShell with administrator rights:

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:MicrosoftWindowsPowerShellV2 /All
How to run gpedit.msc on Windows 10 Home?

1. Download the archive with group policy files (for example, from the website MajorGeeks).

2. Unpack it into C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ And C:\Windows\System32\.

3. Launch cmd as administrator and run the command:

for %i in (%windir%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum) do (dism /online /norestart /add-package:"%i")

4. Restart your PC. Now gpedit.msc will work.

6. Automation: How to Create Your Own Run Commands

You can add your commands to Run by creating shortcuts in a special folder. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open the folder %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs (paste the path into the address bar of Explorer).
  2. Create a shortcut here for the desired program or script.
  3. Give the shortcut a short name (for example, notepad++ instead of Notepad++.exe).
  4. Now enter this name in the Run window and the program will open.

Example: If you often use 7-Zip, create a shortcut with the name 7z. Now, instead of searching for a program in the Start menu, just click Win + R and enter 7z.

💡

Native commands in Run only work for shortcuts in a folder %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. Shortcuts on the desktop or other folders will not be recognized.

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Users often encounter common problems when working with Run. Here are the most common ones and their solutions:

  • 🚫 Error "The file could not be found": Make sure you enter the command correctly (case is not important, but typos are critical). For example, msconfig - that's right, and mconfig - no.
  • 🔒 Requesting administrator rights: Some commands (for example, mmc or compmgmt.msc) require administrator rights. Launch "Run" via Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator).
  • 🌐 Commands do not work in other localizations: In English version Windows instead of control may be required control.exe, and folder will not work - you need to enter folder.
  • ⚡ "Run" opens and closes immediately: This is a sign of a virus or system file corruption. Run the scan via sfc /scannow in cmd (on behalf of the administrator).

If you use the same commands often, save them in Notepad or create a text file on your desktop. For example:

; Часто используемые команды для Win + R

msconfig   ; Конфигурация системы


devmgmt.msc ; Диспетчер устройств


appwiz.cpl ; Установка и удаление программ


ncpa.cpl   ; Сетевые подключения

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to reassign Win + R to another combination?

Yes, using utilities like AutoHotkey or PowerToys (from Microsoft). For example, in AutoHotkey add the line to the script:

^!r::Run, rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL

Now the combination Ctrl + Alt + R will open "Run".

Why does Win + R open other software on my laptop (for example, RStudio)?

This happens if the program has intercepted hotkeys. Open the settings of the conflicting software and disable the use Win + R. For example, in RStudio this is done in Tools → Global Options → Hotkeys.

How to open Run on a Windows tablet (eg. Microsoft Surface)?

On tablets without a physical keyboard:

  1. Connect your Bluetooth keyboard and use Win + R.
  2. Or press and hold the button Windows on the screen, then tap R on the virtual keyboard.
  3. Or create a shortcut on your desktop (see section 2).
Is it possible to launch Run via PowerShell?

Yes, enter the command:

Start-Process "explorer.exe" -ArgumentList "shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}"

Or simply:

[System.Diagnostics.Process]::Start("explorer","shell:::{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}")
How can I get "Run" back into the Start menu (if it's gone)?

B Windows 10/11:

  1. Open Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.
  2. Enable the option “Replace the command prompt with Windows PowerShell” (if it is active, disable it).
  3. Right click on the taskbar → Properties → Customize Start Menu and make sure that “Run” is enabled.

If the item is not in the settings, add it manually through the registry editor (regedit):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Создайте параметр DWORD (32 бита) с именем "Start_ShowRun" и значением 1.