Its about time the big M revamped Run.
Alas, Microsoft hasnt announced any update that will enhance Run.
However, it’s possible for you to at least add an enhanced Run replacement to Windows 11/10.
This is how you might add two better Run alternatives to Windows 11/10 with Run-Command and PowerToys.
Input any command you would usually enter in Run into Run-Command.
Then clickRunorRun as administratorto pop crack open the app with the command entered.
This appsRun as administratoroption is the first notable difference most users will probably notice.
Another difference youll quickly notice is that Run-Command includes 13 shortcut icons.
Clicking those shortcuts will open some of the most useful Windows tools.
Then select theAdd to Favoritesoption.
you’ve got the option to remove shortcuts added and edit the menu by clicking theManage Favoritesoption.
Select a shortcut in the Manage Favorites window and click theXbutton to remove it.
To edit a shortcuts title, select it and tap the rename button.
How utterly brilliant; but why hasnt Microsoft added such a feature to Windows native Run app?
The Redmond developers should have added a shortcut menu to Run long ago.
When Run-Command is running, you could access it with theWindowskey +Rkeyboard shortcut that usuallyopens the native Run accessory.
Run-Command remains running with its window closed.
So, you’ve got the option to press theWindows+Rhotkey to re-open Run-Command whenever you need it.
However, you’re able to change that keyboard shortcut to something else if preferred.
To do so, click theOptionsmenu; selectHot-Keyon that menu to bring up a small window.
Then select a key combination in the drop-down menus and clickOK.
TheOptionsmenu also includes numerous other configs for Run-Command.
SelectingStart with Windowsadds the app to the startup items.
you could also add a menu for accessing applets by clicking theControl Panelmenu option.
That utility is more like a 2-in-1 quick app launcher and search tool for Windows 11/10.
Then input the name of the software you want to launch inside PowerToys Run.
Select a matching system within the results shown to open its window.
PowerToys Run has variable plugins you could activate with specific commands.
To utilize only the plugin for opening installed programs, input a.before the softwares title.
For example, input.Edgein theStart typingbox.
Then PowerToys Run will only display a couple of results for opening Edge.
If you want to search for files with PowerToys, input a?followed by a files title.
PowerToys will show you files matching the search phrase included in the command.
To open a website with PowerToys Run, input the//plugin followed by a site URL.
For example, try opening Bing by inputting//www.bing.cominside the tools command box.
Then snag the result (or pressEnter) to open that search engine in your default web app.
Another good thing about PowerToys is that you might utilize it for calculations.
Input an=before a sum in the PowerToys Run command box to activate the calculator.
For example, entering=55+125will display a 180 result.
For example, entering$uninstallwill find both Programs and Features and the Apps & Features tool.
Or you input$on its own to view a long list of options pages and Control Panel applets.
you’re free to disable or enable plugins via thePowerToys Runtab.
Scroll down to thePluginssection of that tab to view those options.
you could click theOnorOffswitches to enable/disable them.
poke the down arrows for the plugins to view their prefs.
Then you might see the activation commands for the plugins in theirDirectactivation commandboxes.
you could change the command by selecting that box, clicking theX, and entering a different one.
PowerToys offers the best flexibility thanks to its numerous plugins.
