If you want the 'Run' dialog box, just type the letters 'R u n'
from the
Windows 8 Metro interface. As a result, a built-in App called 'Run'
will appear, just click on the blue icon.
For those migrating from XP the old Run box can be comforting, and useful for facilitating
familiar tasks. Nevertheless, I would abandon it as soon as possible and go
with flow, embrace the new Windows 8 method of running applications.
My thinking is this, calling for the Run dialog box is an unnecessary
step. Just use Windows 8's Search dialog box. It's so easy to
just start typing letters of your program at the Metro interface.
I sense you're not convinced. In which case let us look at an easy
way of accessing the Run command from its location at: C:\
Windows\System32\cmd.exe.
At the Metro interface, type 'Run'
Right-click the 'Run' icon
'Two pins will now appear, see screenshot.
Click on 'Pin to Start' (Not 'Pin to Taskbar')
When you return to the Metro Interface you should see a 'Run' tile,
it usually appears on the extreme right of the screen.
Windows 8 Run: WinKey +R
A pleasant surprise; in Windows 8 the WinKey +r invokes the run box -
just as it did in XP.
Here is a neat real-life job of accessing
the UAC:
Press WinKey +r. Then
paste this into the dialog box: C:\Windows\System32\UserAccountControlSettings.exe Press
'Enter'
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Here are instructions to find the CMD prompt - rather than the Run command.
In fact you can use the same technique
as above, but this time type 'c m d' from the Metro interface. Let us assume
you wish to check the Windows 8 computer's IP addresses.
When I typed ipconfig the first surprise was an IPv6 address, presumably assigned automatically by APIPA.
Overall, the look and feel was much as in XP, however each new operating system brings additions to the Ipconfig data, for example in
Windows 8, Ipconfig has a new switch, Ipconfig /allcompartments; I have
found no killer use just yet, it seems very similar to Ipconfig /all
Please note that launching the 'Run' dialog box and 'Run as
administrator' are
two different issues. In Windows 8 'Run as Administrator' still has a
prominent place when you need elevated rights to achieve a task; whereas the
'Run' box has been superseded by 'Search', which you can access easily with
WinKey +s.
When I was trying to renew and IP address I kept getting an error message,
'The requested operation requires elevation'.
Fortunately the solution was easy; as you can see from the screen shot to the
right, just right-click the Command Prompt and select 'Run as administrator'
from the lower menu bar. As a result I could now run ipconfig /renew
without the frustrating message: 'The requested operation requires elevation'.
It's worth keeping an eye on the title bar, if you see the
word Administrator in the CMD title bar then you will have elevated rights.
Once you understand that 'Run as administrator' calls upon elevated privileges; then perhaps you can appreciate why, even
when you are logged on as the Administrator,
Windows 8 still requires this extra step.
Note: 'Run as administrator' is not the same as the 'Run as' found in previous Windows programs.
Suppose that you don't want Windows 8 users to see the 'Run as administrator'
command. Well, there is a registry hack to remove this command from
the short-cut menus. What you need to do is create a new DWORD called
HideRunAsVerb, and set its value to 1.
Instructions:
Launch regedit and navigate to: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Create a New Key called Explorer
Inside Explorer create a new DWORD value called HideRunAsVerb and set its value
to 1.
Logoff and logon again.
When you click on 'Advanced' see screenshot, there will be no 'Run
as administrator. If you are still unclear
refer to
the above section.
Conclusion: HideRunAsVerb is bit of fun, while you
may consider implementing it for irresponsible users, you would not want it for your own
machine, that would be a bit like tying one of your hands behind your back.
That reminds me, once you have seen it, set HideRunAsVerb back to zero (0) -
off!
PowerShell 3.0 - A Modern Alternative to CMD
The more I use Windows 8, the more abandon the old DOS box (cmd.exe) and use
PowerShell 3.0 instead.
Naturally there is a whole world of scripting with PowerShell, people soon
pick-up that PowerShell has alias such as 'dir', but it's often forgotten
that you can run built-in operating system commands such as Ipconfig as
well. In conclusion, you have nothing
to lose by abandoning cmd.exe and trying
PowerShell ISE with its graphical interface.
If you are coming to Windows 8 from XP then the old Run box can be a
stop-gap until you absorb the new ways of launching programs or finding
settings. In my opinion calling for the Run dialog box is an unnecessary
step. Just use Windows 8's Search dialog box.
I sense you're not convinced! In which case revert to an easy
way of accessing the Run command with WinKey +r.
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