GeekTech

I was reading this article about helpful commands in Vista, however, these commands also work with XP - well I know a couple do because I just tired them. I find these really helpful. Just type this in your "Run Prompt" and it will perform its action. Really cool.

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. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Quick Launch - opens the Quick Launch folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Searches - opens the Search folder showing all your saved searches. (Vista Only)
  

The other useful Shell commands

• shell:AppUpdatesFolder - opens the Installed Windows Updates location in Program and Files. (Vista Only)
  
• 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/Shared User’s Desktop folder.
• shell:Common Documents - opens the Public/Shared 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.
• ***you can also open up separate folders of the like above by removing the term "Common"
  
• shell:ConflictFolder - opens the Sync Center Conflicts folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:ConnectionsFolder - opens the Network Connections folder. Very handy to know if you do a lot of networking
  
• shell:Contacts - opens your Contacts folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:ControlPanelFolder - opens the Control Panel.
• shell:Cookies - opens the cookies folder
• shell:Favorites - opens your Favorites folder.
• shell:Fonts - opens Vista’s/XP's Fonts folder.
• shell:Gadgets - opens your Windows Sidebar Gadgets folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:History - opens the Internet Explorer history folder.
• shell:InternetFolder - opens Internet Explorer to the "Welcome back"/"Change Your Settings" page - not the home page
  
• shell:Links - opens your Links folder location. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:MyMusic - opens your Music folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:MyPictures - opens your Pictures folder. (VistaOnly)
  
• shell:MyVideo - opens your Video folder.(Vista Only)
  
• shell:MyComputerFolder - opens Computer window.(Vista Only)
  
• shell:NetHood - opens Network Shortcuts folder or all the shared folders found on your network.
• shell:NetworkPlacesFolder - opens the Network Places location. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Original Images - opens Windows Photo Gallery Original Images folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Personal - opens your Documents folder. Works with XP
  
• shell:PhotoAlbums - opens your Slide Show folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Playlists - opens your Playlists folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:PrintersFolder - opens Printers in the Control Panel.
• shell:Profile - opens your main folder, you know that place that stores all that crap like "my documents", "Favorites","start menu", "desktop","local settings".
  
• shell:ProgramFiles - opens the Program Files folder. Hallelujah this one works with XP and is now my new best friend.
  
• shell:Public - opens the Public User folder.(Vista Only)
  
• shell:Recent - opens the Recent Items(Recent Documents for XP) 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. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:UsersFilesFolder - opens your main folder. (Vista Only)
  
• shell:Windows - opens the Windows folder. Works with XP
  

These are awesome. I know I'm going to be using them a lot. Here's a tip on how to use these tips: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run Prompt. Then you can quickly type the shell command you want. It's so much faster than trying to browse through folders to get things done.

Labels: Articles, FYI, OS, Programming, secrets, Software, tips