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Run Command Keyboard Shortcut With No Windows Logo Key

Anonymous
2016-01-27T18:41:32+00:00

Split from this thread.

The Windows + R will show you the "RUN" box where you can type commands to either pull up a program or go online. The Windows key is the one in the middle of CTRL and ALT on the lower left side. The R key is the one that is located between the "E" and "T" key. Hope that helps.

Geez!  Three replies assumed that the questioner doesn't know how to hold down two keys.  That's not the issue.  The issue is that many of us - 37 so far on this thread have reliable keyboards that were made before Microsoft introduced the Windows key.  We can't press the key if it's not on the keyboard.

We can use CTRL+ESC to open the Start menu, but the logical next step would be CTRL+ESC+R, and that doesn't work.  Also, CTRL+ALT+DEL used to shut down the PC; now it only opens the Task Manager.  Scratch that; in Windows 10 that key combo gives you a menu with a list in the center of the screen and three icons on the right.  So it now takes about 5 steps to break out of a freeze, and that only works sometimes.

But my point is that it should still be possible to use a 3-key combination.  Basically I need to get to the RUN box without using the absent Windows key, since it's not on the Win10 Start menu.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. LemP 74,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-01-27T19:27:42+00:00

    Loretta,

    Thanks for making it clear what the question (at least yours) is actually about.  The way it was worded originally plainly confused a lot of would-be helpers.

    Also, many of the 37 posters on this thread are discussing a different issue altogether:  how scammers may tell you to use the Run command.

    There are some third-party utilities that can be used for this (see discussion here: https://jpsoft.com/forums/threads/activating-the-run-dialog.4741/  ), but you can also do it by creating a shortcut that opens the Run command and then assigning a keyboard shortcut.

    Given that the original thread started 5 years ago, I don't know if you are using Windows XP or a more recent version of Windows.

    If you have Windows 7 or 8, see the directions here --> http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/21246-run-command-create-shortcut.html

    If you have Windows XP, create a Shortcut to the Run command by clicking on "Run" in the Start Menu and dragging it to the Desktop or to the Quick Launch toolbar.  See http://www.techrepublic.com/article/create-a-run-command-shortcut/ After the shortcut has been created, pick up with Step 4 of Method 2 of the Windows 7/8 directions above.

    Before clicking OK after you have set the shortcut to open "minimized," click near "None" next to "Shortcut key" and type a single letter (e.g., R) or number.  Then click OK.  Your keyboard shortcut will be CTRL+ALT+the letter you typed.  See http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/74063-keyboard-shortcut.html (should work for XP also).

    *****************************************

    Oops!  Sorry, I didn't catch that you use Windows 10 until I typed all of the above.  I'm not going to delete it, just in case someone who has XP, 7, or 8 wants to know.  You can get the Run command on the Windows 10 Start Menu by following these directions -->

    http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/windows-10-start-menu-run-command/

    http://winaero.com/blog/add-run-to-start-menu-in-windows-10-rtm/

    I don't have Win 10, so I can't experiment to see if you can then create a keyboard shortcut as described for Windows 7/8.

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