RUNDLL and RUNDLL32

RUNDLL and RUNDLL32 are two utilities supplied with Windows 95 and later.
They can call DLL functions from the command line, allowing us to create extremely powerfull batch files.

Some examples:

  1. Start Control Panel applets (2)
  2. Open Install new modem wizard
  3. Start "Add New Hardware" wizard
  4. Open the "Unplug or Eject Hardware" wizard (Windows 95)
  5. Open Device manager
  6. Install a screensaver
  7. Lock the screen (Windows 2000)
  8. Redraw the screen (Windows 95)
  9. Rearrange the windows on the screen (Windows 95)
  10. Change screen resolution (Windows 9x with PowerToys' QuickRes installed)
  11. Disable mouse and/or keyboard (Windows 9*/ME)
  12. Halt system
  13. Start "Add New Printer" wizard
  14. Open "Connect to Printer" dialog
  15. Open the Printers folder
  16. Print a test page (Windows 95 and later)
  17. Manage printer settings (Windows 2000)
  18. Add a TCP/IP printer port
  19. Clear Internet Explorer branding (the annoying company name in IE's title bar)
  20. Open the dialog box for editing the Favorites in Internet Explorer
  21. Delete Internet Explorer 7's browsing history, cookies and temporary files
  22. Start GUI mode disk format
  23. Start GUI mode diskcopy
  24. "Map Network Drive" dialog (Windows 95)
  25. Manage shares
  26. Create a new share
  27. Open the Network ID wizard
  28. Open the Add network place wizard
  29. Logoff Windows (1)
  30. Reboot (1)
  31. Shutdown (1)
  32. Activate suspend mode (1) (Windows 2000 and later)
  33. Show "System setting changed, do you want to reboot now?" dialog (Windows 9*)
  34. Display NT's "About" dialog
  35. Open a file with Windows' "Open as" dialog
  36. Open a .ZIP file in Explorer (Windows XP)
  37. Swap your mouse to left handed use
  38. Start "DialUp Connection" wizard (Windows 95)
  39. Start DialUp Network
  40. Open the Fonts folder
  41. Open an Active Directory Search dialog (Windows 2000 and later)
  42. Activate registry changes in HKEY_CURRENT_USER without logging off (Windows 2000 and later)
  43. Remove Messenger (Windows XP)
  44. Repair IE 6 (Windows XP)
  45. Switch between windows (Windows 7)
  46. Turn Aero on or off (Windows 7)

 

  1. Start Control Panel applets (2)

    General syntax:

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL filename.CPL,@n,t

    where:

    filename.CPL
    is the name of one of Control Panel's *.CPL files,
    n
    is the zero based number of the applet within the *.CPL file, and
    t
    is the number of the tab for multi paged applets

    Examples:

    Date/time applet, Time Zone tab:
    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL TIMEDATE.CPL,@0,1
    Desktop applet, Screensaver tab:
    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL DESK.CPL,@0,1
    Network applet, Protocols tab:
    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL NCPA.CPL,@0,2
    Network applet, Adapters tab:
    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL NCPA.CPL,@0,3
    System applet, Environment tab:
    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL SYSDM.CPL,@0,2

    An alternative approach is using CONTROL.EXE.
    However, if you want to make your batch file wait for the Control Panel applet to be closed, you'll have to use the RUNDLL32 command with START /WAIT

    General syntax:

    CONTROL.EXE filename.CPL,@n,t

    where:

    filename.CPL
    is the name of one of Control Panel's *.CPL files,
    n
    is the zero based number of the applet within the *.CPL file, and
    t
    is the number of the tab for multi paged applets

    Examples:

    Date/time applet, Time Zone tab:
    CONTROL.EXE TIMEDATE.CPL,@0,1
    Desktop applet, Screensaver tab:
    CONTROL.EXE DESK.CPL,@0,1
    or alternatively, in Windows 2000 & XP:
    CONTROL.EXE DESK.CPL ,@ScreenSaver
    Note the space between the *.CPL file name and the comma.
    This seems to work for DESK.CPL only.
    Use the description on the tab, remove any spaces.

    Credits: Neil J. Rubenking, in one of his articles in PC Magazine.
    Tip: Leslie Katz

     

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  2. Open Install new modem wizard

    RUNDLL32 modemui.dll,InvokeControlPanel

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  3. Start "Add New Hardware" Wizard

    (Windows 95)

    RUNDLL SYSDM.CPL,InstallDevice_Rundll

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb

     

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  4. Open the "Unplug or Eject Hardware" wizard

    (Windows 2000 or later, or Windows 98 SE with hotplug.dll installed):

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

    Credits: Chris S./Dx21.com

     

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  5. Open Device manager

    RUNDLL32 devmgr.dll DeviceManager_Execute

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  6. Install a screensaver

    (copy the *.SCR file to the Windows directory first) (2):

    RUNDLL32 DESK.CPL,InstallScreenSaver C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\Default.scr

    (To invoke the screensaver use:

    C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\Default.scr /S

    Tip by "UnhappyEggWhisk" on forums.somethingawful.com)

    The directory shown is for Windows NT 4/2000, modify for Windows 9x/XP

     

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  7. Lock the screen

    (Windows 2000)

    RUNDLL32 USER32.DLL,LockWorkStation

    Credits: Steven Clements (posted on alt.msdos.batch.nt)

     

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  8. Redraw the screen

    (Windows 95)

    RUNDLL USER,repaintscreen

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb

     

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  9. Rearrange the windows on the screen

    (Windows 95)

    Cascade:
    RUNDLL32 USER,cascadechildwindows
    Tile:
    RUNDLL32 USER,tilechildwindows

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb

     

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  10. Change screen resolution

    (Windows 9x with PowerToys' QuickRes installed):

    RUNDLL DESKCP16.DLL,QUICKRES_RUNDLLENTRY hresxvresxbpp

    Where hres is the horizontal resolution in pixels, vres is the vertical resolution in pixels, and bpp is the number of bits per pixel.
    The following example will set the screen resolution to 800 x 600 at 256 colors (28 colors = 8 bits per pixel)

    RUNDLL DESKCP16.DLL,QUICKRES_RUNDLLENTRY 800x600x8

    Credits: William Allen (posted on alt.msdos.batch)

     

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  11. Disable mouse and/or keyboard

    (Windows 9*/ME)

    RUNDLL KEYBOARD,DISABLE
    RUNDLL MOUSE,DISABLE

    There is an ENABLE function too, but I haven't found the right syntax yet. Without any further parameters it only halts the system without warning (Windows 95). You will probably need the other RUNDLL commands to do a "clean" reboot.

    Credits: Koro das Master

     

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  12. Halt system

    RUNDLL MOUSE,ENABLE

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb

     

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  13. Start "Add New Printer" wizard

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL AddPrinter

     

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  14. Open "Connect to Printer" dialog

    RUNDLL32 WINSPOOL.DRV,ConnectToPrinterDlg

    This commands opens the "Connect to Printer" dialog, as you might have guessed. I don't see any useful application yet, but maybe you do.

     

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  15. Open the Printers folder

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL MAIN.CPL @2

    or for Windows 2000:

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL PrintersFolder

    Credits: Pascal Rebsamen

    Note: To create a shortcut in the Start Menu to open the Printers folder, create a directory using one of the following commands.

    Windows 9x (without roaming profiles):
    MD "%windir%\Start Menu\Programs\Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"
    Windows NT 4/2000:
    MD "%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"

     

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  16. Print a test page

    (Windows 95 and later; unfortunately this command does not always work):

    RUNDLL32.EXE SHELL32.DLL,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL PrintTestPage

    Or for Windows 9x (source: Daniel U. Thibault):

    RUNDLL32.EXE MSPrint2.DLL,RUNDLL_PrintTestPage

     

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  17. Manage printer settings

    (Windows 2000)

    RUNDLL32 PRINTUI.DLL,PrintUIEntry /?

    This will display an extensive list of available functions and many examples.
    View this same list in HTML.

     

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  18. Add a TCP/IP printer port

    RUNDLL32 tcpmonui.dll,LocalAddPortUI

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  19. Clear Internet Explorer branding

    (the annoying company name in IE's title bar)

    RUNDLL32.EXE iedkcs32.dll,Clear

    Credits: "pradeep" (posted on Go4Expert Forum)

     

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  20. Open the dialog box for editing the Favorites in Internet Explorer

    RUNDLL32.EXE shdocvw.dll,DoOrganizeFavDlg

    Credits: "pradeep" (posted on Go4Expert Forum)

     

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  21. Delete Internet Explorer 7's browsing history, cookies and temporary files

    RUNDLL32.EXE inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess n

    Where n can have the following values:

    1 delete browsing history (list of visited sites)
    2 delete all cookies
    8 delete temporary files (cache)
    16 delete all saved forms data
    32 delete all saved passwords
    255 delete all of the above
    4351 delete all of the above and all settings stored by add-ons

    The use of powers of 2 suggests that one can combine (add) these values, e.g. 40 to delete temporary files (8) and passwords (32) simultaneously, but I didn't test this assumption yet.

    Credits: Herby on neowin.net

     

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  22. Start GUI mode disk format

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,SHFormatDrive

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  23. Start GUI mode diskcopy

    RUNDLL32 DISKCOPY.DLL,DiskCopyRunDll

    Credits: Media Chance

     

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  24. "Map Network Drive" dialog

    (Windows 95)

    RUNDLL32 USER,wnetconnectdialog

    and for Windows XP:

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL Connect

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb (Windows 95) and Ian Freeman (Windows XP)

     

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  25. Manage shares

    RUNDLL32 ntlanui.dll,ShareManage - Shares

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  26. Create a new share

    RUNDLL32 ntlanui.dll,ShareCreate

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  27. Open the Network ID wizard

    RUNDLL32 netplwiz.dll,NetAccWizRunDll

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  28. Open the Add network place wizard

    RUNDLL32 netplwiz.dll,AddNetPlaceRunDll

    Credits: Jeffrey W. Horning (posted on JSI FAQ)

     

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  29. Logoff Windows (1)

    Logoff Windows 98:
    RUNDLL SHELL32.DLL,SHExitWindowsEx
    Logoff Windows 98 and run Explorer after relogon:
    RUNDLL SHELL32.DLL,SHExitWindowsEx 4
    Logoff Windows NT 4:
    RUNDLL32 USER32.DLL,ExitWindowsEx
    RUNDLL32 USER32.DLL,ExitWindowsEx
    This is not a mistake, the command usualy must be called twice before anything happens.

     

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  30. Reboot (1)

    Windows 95 (not reliable, sometimes only shutdown):
    RUNDLL USER.EXE,ExitWindowsExec
    Windows 98:
    RUNDLL SHELL32.DLL,SHExitWindowsEx 2
    Windows NT 4:
    @ECHO OFF
    PUSHD "%temp%"
    ECHO [Version] > {out}.inf
    ECHO signature=$chicago$ >> {out}.inf
    ECHO [defaultinstall] >> {out}.inf
    RUNDLL32 SETUPAPI,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 1 {out}.inf
    DEL {out}.inf
    POPD
    (original batch file by Walter Zackery, adapted for readability)

     

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  31. Shutdown (1)

    Windows 95:
    RUNDLL USER.EXE,ExitWindows
    Windows 98:
    RUNDLL SHELL32.DLL,SHExitWindowsEx 1
    or:
    RUNDLL32 KRNL386.EXE,exitkernel
    (will also power down ATX boards)

     

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  32. Activate suspend mode (1)

    (Windows 2000/XP)

    RUNDLL32 PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState

    Credits: TechRepublic's Windows XP Newsletter & Graham Smith.

     

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  33. Show "System setting changed, do you want to reboot now?" dialog (1):

    (Windows 9*)

    RUNDLL SHELL.DLL,RestartDialog

     

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  34. Display NT's "About" dialog

    Showing version, servicepack, registered owner and amount of physical memory:

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,ShellAboutW

     

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  35. Open a file with Windows' "Open as" dialog

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,OpenAs_RunDLL filename

     

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  36. Open a .ZIP file in Explorer

    (Windows XP)

    RUNDLL32.EXE ZIPFLDR.DLL,RouteTheCall zipfile.ZIP

    Unfortunately, there seems to be no (native) command to copy files into the .ZIP file

     

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  37. Swap your mouse to left handed use

    (tip from "Speedy Gonzales")

    Windows 95:
    RUNDLL USER.EXE,SwapMouseButton
    Windows NT:
    RUNDLL32 USER32.DLL,SwapMouseButton

    I know of no command yet to undo this, but the following will get you close:

    CONTROL MAIN.CPL

    or:

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL MAIN.CPL,@0,1

     

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  38. Start "DialUp Connection" Wizard

    (Windows 95)

    RUNDLL RNAUI.DLL,RnaWizard

    Credits: Faris Mlaeb

     

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  39. Start DialUp Network

    START RUNDLL32 RNAUI.DLL,RnaDial exact name of dialer entry
    TRACERT -h 1 -w 1

    The RUNDLL command starts DUN, the TRACERT command is supposed to actually start the dialing process, assuming automatic dialing is enabled.
    Since I do not have access to any PC with DUN installed, I could not test the TRACERT command's effect.

    Credits for these commands: Michael J. Gregg and Tom Lavedas

    Use the RASPHONE command in Windows NT, which can also hang up the connection

    Credits: Simon Sheppard.

     

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  40. Open the Fonts folder

    RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL FontsFolder

    Credits: Media Chance

     

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  41. Open an Active Directory Search window:

    RUNDLL32 dsquery,OpenQueryWindow

    This allows you to search Active Directory for users or computers, though only a limited part of the properties is accessible.

    Credits: TechRepublic's Windows XP e-Newsletter for August 5, 2004

     

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  42. Activate registry changes

    in HKEY_CURRENT_USER without logging off (Windows 2000 and later):

    RUNDLL32.EXE USER32.DLL,UpdatePerUserSystemParameters ,1 ,True

    Credits: Pete Smith.

     

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  43. Remove Messenger

    (Windows XP)

    RUNDLL32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

    Credits: Pascal Rebsamen (posted on WinBoard)

     

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  44. Repair IE 6

    (Windows XP)

    RUNDLL32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%infie.inf

    Credits: Pascal Rebsamen (posted on WinBoard)

     

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  45. Switch between windows screenshot

    Switch between windows

    (Windows 7)

    RUNDLL32 DwmApi #105

    Credits: Scott Dunn, WindowsSecrets

     

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  46. Turn Aero on or off

    (Windows 7)

    Turn ON Aero:

    RUNDLL32 DwmApi #102

    Turn OFF Aero:

    RUNDLL32 DwmApi #104

    Credits: Vishal Gupta

     

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Notes: (1) See my Shutdown page for more information and examples on reboot and shutdown command lines.
  (2) By associating *.CPL files with the command
RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL %1,@0
and *.SCR files with
RUNDLL32 DESK.CPL,InstallScreenSaver %1
you can open and/or install them by doubleclicking on their icons.

 

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Examples

Install a screensaver

The following batch file installs a screensaver if one is specified, and opens the Control Panel applet at the right tab to enable adjustment of its settings (tested in NT only):

@ECHO OFF
IF "%1"=="" GOTO Interactive
IF NOT EXIST %SystemRoot%.\System32\%~nx1 GOTO Interactive

RUNDLL32 DESK.CPL,InstallScreenSaver %~f1
GOTO End

:Interactive
RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL DESK.CPL,@0,1

:End
Click to view source Click to download the ZIPped source

 

 

I am interested to hear about other possible uses for RUNDLL32.
Please send me your tips or comments by e-mail:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
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More to explore

 

An extensive list of RUNDLL commands with good search capabilities can be found at Dx21's RunDLL32 section.

For programmers, there is more information on Microsoft's Windows 95 Rundll and Rundll32 Interface page.

Peter A. Bromberg's Short RunDll32 Primer for Developers.

At The Visual Basic Developers Resource Centre a list of Control Panel Functions for Windows 9x/NT through RUNDLL can be found (a tip from my former collegue Adriaan Westra; thanks).

An extensive list of Control Panel related and other RUNDLL commands can be found at Media Chance's RUNDLL FAQ page.

Jeffrey W. Horning provided a list of Undocuments paths to Windows 2000 tools (thanks for Viju Chellamuthu, who mailed me the link).

Search Microsoft.com for more info on INF files.

 

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page last uploaded: 18 February 2010, 20:20