Accessing the Programs and Features control panel app from the command line

From time to time I have to pull up Programs and Features (formerly known as Add and Remove Programs in obsolete versions of Windows), but I’m not an administrator. Not normally, at least. When I need to do so, I run cmd.exe using my administrative ID–I created a shortcut and pinned it to my Start Menu so I can right-click cmd.exe and select “Run As”–and then, from the command prompt, I type appwiz.cpl. Then I can make all the changes I need to make, without the hazards associated with logging in as an administrator and running everything with admin rights.

If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it!

One thought on “Accessing the Programs and Features control panel app from the command line

  • February 25, 2015 at 12:30 pm
    Permalink

    That works for all the other *.cpl and *.msc applications, as well. Try devmgmt.msc some time.

Comments are closed.