Additional information and options for the rundll32.exe file

Below are some examples of how the rundll.exe rundll32.exe files can be used in Microsoft Windows to perform numerous windows commands from the command prompt. Because of the different versions of rundll and rundll32, not all of the below options will work. If rundll or rundll32 encounter an error, it is possible that the command will fail without any error messages.

Shutdown, restart, logoff, or poweroff the computer

• Shutdown Windows through the command line using rundll32 and the shell32.dll file.

Lock the Windows 2000 and Windows XP workstation

rundll32 user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Run the install for an inf file

Run the install for an inf file.

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 <inf file>

Open the Open With folder for a file

Below is a command that can be run from the command line to open the "Open With" window for a particular file.

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL <directory or file>

Run copy disk program

Below is an example of how the copy disk window can be opened from the command line.

rundll32.exe diskcopy,DiskCopyRunDll

Create a new shortcut

Open the create shortcut wizard icon by typing the below into the command prompt. The "NewLinkHere" is case sensitive, if not typed in properly you will receive an error.

rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere <directory>

Open the ScreenSaver Window

rundll32.exe desk.cpl,InstallScreenSaver