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Depending on your configuration and customization the Run command may not be visible on the Start menu. It's easy to make it show up.

When I go to Start menu I have no Run option?

One of the "problems", if you want to call it that, with computer systems is that almost nothing is standard. There are defaults, there are common settings, and there are recommended tweaks and personalizations.

The net result is that often for something as "standard" as Windows XP, it's very easy for one person's Start Menu to be quite different from another's.

And so it is with respect to the Run... command. Let's find and enable it for you.

Right click on the Start button and click on Properties:

Windows Start Menu Properties

Right away we can see that choice to be made: "Start Menu" or "Classic Start Menu". The good news is that the one you're currently using will already be selected, and I'm going to assume you don't want to change this right now.

"As you can see the Start menu is extremely customizable."

But, the options are a little different depending on which you're using, so I'll show you both.

Classic Start Menu

Click the Customize button:

Classic Start Menu Customize Dialog, Featureing the Display Run setting

Make sure that the Display Run option is checked. (If you don't see a Display Run option, then check out Why can't I enable the Run command?)

OK your way back out, and the Run... command should be visible on your start menu.

Start Menu

For the not-Classic version, once again click the Customize button. Then click the Advanced tab, and in the Start Menu Items list, and scroll down until you see the item Run command:

Start Menu Customize Dialog, Featureing the Display Run setting

Make sure that's checked. (If you don't see a Run Command option, then check out Why can't I enable the Run command?)

OK your way back out, and the Run... command should be visible on your start menu.

As you can see the Start menu is extremely customizable. Go ahead and have a look at the various options - it's one of the places that I actually spend a few minutes each time I set up a new machine, customizing the start menu to my liking.

Article C3030 - May 19, 2007

Leo Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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Recent Comments
46 Comments

Where can I find the run command on windows 7? I have an emachine brand. I have looked in the start menu, and I can't find it.

Right click on the Start button, click on Properties, the Start Menu tab, the Customize button and then in the resulting list look for the "Run" option, and make sure it's checked.

Easier, perhaps, is simply to type the Windows Key + R.
Leo
28-May-2011

Posted by: Mark at May 28, 2011 6:53 AM

Thanks Leo, for all the help you give. Whenever I search a problem I'm having with my computer, I often see your site come up at the top of my search page. And I almost always use your help. The steps are easy to follow and they work. Thanks again for all your great help!

Posted by: DJ at June 3, 2011 6:13 PM

Sir,
I cant access the run command and there is no option in the customize start menu to enable the run command.What can I do for this?

Posted by: Ramya at June 11, 2011 11:17 PM

@Ramya
There is a link in the article which you commented on which addresses the problem of no being able to enable the run comment in the normal way.
Here it is again:
http://ask-leo.com/why_cant_i_enable_the_run_command.html

Posted by: Mark J at June 12, 2011 12:14 AM

Hi, The option of 'run command' is not there in my system. That is probably because the IT has disabled it. Can you please tell me the way to crack it?

Nope. You need to speak with your IT department.

Leo
25-Jul-2011
Posted by: Manu at July 24, 2011 9:30 PM
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