Computer users are often faced with the dilemma of a missing run command window in the Windows XP start menu and need to restore the run command to it’s usual place. This is also a common problem in Windows Vista as the run command has to be added to the start menu manually as it is not there by default. Here is a tutorial explaining how to add a run command window shortcut to the Vista Start menu. This is a basic tutorial and the details are also included below.

The run command window is very important as it lets you type commands in to execute programs and change settings. For example to edit your registry or to get to a dos command window the run window comes in very handy.

There are several reasons why the run command window could be missing from the start menu. Two top causes can be that your computer has had a virus or someone has accessed your computer and changed settings in the Local group policy.

If you get an error message saying “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator” this means that someone has tampered with your computer settings and disabled the run box access.

How to enable the Run Command Window link

1.      Right click your mouse on the start menu icon.

2.      A menu will appear. Choose properties from the menu.

3.      Go to the start menu tab.

4.      Click on the customize button. For Windows Seven skip the next step and go to step 6.

5.      Then click on advanced.

6.      Now browse for run command and make sure there is a tick in the box next to it.

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Another way to bring back the run box window?

Warning: playing with the registry can cause your computer to fail.

1.      Open the registry editor (see below to see how)

2.      Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies
Explorer. See how to search the Windows registry to find what you want quickly.

3.      Make the word explorer blue

4.      If there is an entry on the left side  that says Norun then click on it once to make it blue

5.      Right click on it and choose delete or change the value (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

6.      Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies
Explorer and do the same thing

7.      Restart your computer

Another way to restore the run command window

1. Open Group policy to edit
2. Press on the plus sign next to User configuration
3. Press on the plus sign next to Administrative Templates
4. Find Start Menu & Toolbar in the menu and make it blue
5. A menu will appear in the right side
6. Double click on Remove Run from start menu

7. Chose ‘Disable’ and then click OK

See How to get to regedit and gpedit.msc when there is no run or command window

Notes about how to restore the run command window:

• I would rather edit the Group policy than the registry as items are a bit easier to change. All you have to do is enable or disable items whereas in the registry you have to set values or delete entries

If you know of any other ways to restore the Run Command Window to the start menu please let us know by commenting below.

Tagged as: box, command, free computer tips, missing, pc, restore, run, start menu, tips, window, windows

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Mitz – who has written 731 posts on Computer Tips.

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