Using Shell command shortcuts in VISTA

While you can use Explorer, the Control Panel, or the Start menu to access key features in Windows Vista, sometimes a shortcut can be more useful. Hidden underneath the Windows Vista architecture are a whole host of special shortcuts known as Shell commands. To use a Shell command, all you need to do is press [Windows]+R to access the Run dialog box and then enter the word Shell followed by a colon and then command as in:

Shell:command

As you can see there are no spaces between the word Shell and the colon and the command — it is essentially one word.

While there are close to 100 Shell commands, not all of them are very useful. As such, I won’t actually list them. I’ll just discuss the ones that I find most useful in everyday situations first and then I’ll list the other ones that I find occasionally useful.

Keep in mind that not all of these Shell commands will work in all versions of Windows Vista.

Most useful Shell commands

shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder - opens the Programs and Features (Add/Remove Programs) window.

shell:Sendto - opens the SendTo folder so that you can easily add more locations to the Send To list.

shell:Common Administrative Tools - opens the Administrative Tools menu as a folder

shell:Desktop - opens the Desktop as a folder.

shell:Downloads - opens your Downloads folder.

shell:Quick Launch - opens the Quick Launch folder.

shell:Searches - opens the Search folder showing all your saved searches.

The other useful Shell commands

shell:AppUpdatesFolder - opens the Installed Windows Updates location in Program and Files.

shell:Cache - opens Internet Explorer’s temporary Internet files folder.

shell:CD Burning - opens the folder where Windows Vista temporarily stores files to be burned to a CD.

shell:Common Desktop - opens the Public User’s Desktop folder.

shell:Common Documents - opens the Public User’s Documents folder.

shell:Common Programs - opens the Start menu shortcuts folder.

shell:Common Start Menu - opens the Start Menu as a folder.

shell:Common Startup - opens the Startup folder.

shell:Common Templates - opens the Templates folder.

shell:CommonDownloads - opens the Public User’s Downloads folder.

shell:CommonMusic - opens the Public User’s Music folder.

shell:CommonPictures - opens the Public User’s Pictures folder.

shell:CommonVideo - opens the Public User’s Video folder.

shell:ConflictFolder - opens the Sync Center Conflicts folder.

shell:ConnectionsFolder - opens the Network Connections folder.

shell:Contacts - opens your Contacts folder.

shell:ControlPanelFolder - opens the Control Panel.

shell:Cookies - opens the cookies folder

shell:Favorites - opens your Favorites folder.

shell:Fonts - opens Vista’s Fonts folder.

shell:Gadgets - opens your Windows Sidebar Gadgets folder.

shell:History - opens the Internet Explorer history folder.

shell:InternetFolder - opens Internet Explorer.

shell:Links - opens your Links folder location.

shell:MyMusic - opens your Music folder.

shell:MyPictures - opens your Pictures folder.

shell:MyVideo - opens your Video folder.

shell:MyComputerFolder - opens Computer window.

shell:NetHood - opens Network Shortcuts folder.

shell:NetworkPlacesFolder - opens the Network Places location.

shell:Original Images - opens Windows Photo Gallery Original Images folder.

shell:Personal - opens your Documents folder.

shell:PhotoAlbums - opens your Slide Show folder.

shell:Playlists - opens your Playlists folder.

shell:PrintersFolder - opens Printers in the Control Panel.

shell:Profile - opens your main folder.

shell:ProgramFiles - opens the Program Files folder.

shell:Public - opens the Public User folder.

shell:Recent - opens the Recent Items folder.

shell:RecycleBinFolder - opens the Recycle Bin folder.

shell:Start Menu - opens the Start Menu folder.

shell:Startup - opens the Startup folder

shell:System - opens the System32 folder location.

shell:Templates - opens the Templates folder location.

shell:UserProfiles - opens the Users folder.

shell:UsersFilesFolder - opens your main folder.

shell:Windows - opens the Windows folder.