What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool?

iSCSI (internet Small Computer Systems Interface) is an Internet Protocol-based storage networking tool that helps link data storage devices. It can be used to transfer data over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or the Internet.

Meanwhile, Microsoft iSCSI Initiator is a tool that allows you to connect your host PC to an external iSCSI-based storage array. It manages iSCSI sessions on your computer and remote iSCSI target devices.

Let's see how you can configure this tool. From there, we'll explore different ways to access it.

How to configure iSCSI Initiator

Here are the steps to set up iSCSI Initiator:

1. Type iSCSI Initiator into the Start menu search bar and select Best match.

2. Navigate to the Targets tab.

3. Enter the IP address or DNS name of the iSCSI target device in the Target box.

4. Click the Quick Connect button.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 1

At this point, your iSCSI target device will be added to the Discovered targets box . Press the Done button to continue.

If any iSCSI target devices cannot be found, navigate to the Favorite Targets tab and check if you can find something.

If not, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Discovery tab.

2. Click the Refresh button. This will allow your device to search for iSCSI targets on all target ports.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 2

If you still cannot find the iSCSI targets, click the Discover Portal button and then add a target portal. From there, click the Refresh button again to search for iSCSI target devices.

After adding your target device, you will be able to handle all iSCSI sessions from your PC using iSCSI Initiator. To get started, simply explore all the options that appear on the Volumes and Devices tab .

Next, let's also see the different ways to access iSCSI Initiator.

How to access iSCSI Initiator

1. Open iSCSI Initiator with the Run dialog box

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 3

You've discovered how to open iSCSI Initiator using the Start menu search bar. Now, the article will show you how to access this tool using the Run command dialog box.

Interestingly, you can also access third-party programs using the Run command dialog. But first you need to edit some Registry keys.

Now, here's how to open iSCSI Initiator with the Run command dialog:

1. Press Win + R to .
2. Type iscsicpl.exe and press Enter to open iSCSI Initiator.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 4

2. Open iSCSI Initiator using the Start menu

The Start menu is another amazing tool that makes it easy to access your apps. So here's how you can use it to access iSCSI Initiator:

1. Press the Windows key to access the Start menu. Or, click the Start menu icon on the taskbar.

2. Select the Windows Administrative Tools folder from the menu items on the left.

3. Click the iSCSI Initiator option.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 5

3. Open iSCSI Initiator with the File Explorer address bar

You probably know that you can locate your file and folder paths in the File Explorer address bar. In addition, this tool can also help you access almost any application on your device.

Here's how to open iSCSI Initiator using the File Explorer address bar:

1. Press Win + E to .
2. Type iscsicpl.exe in File Explorer's address bar and press Enter.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 6

4. Open iSCSI Initiator with Control Panel

Have you used the Control Panel before? This is a great tool to help you troubleshoot your PC or configure some system settings.

But that's not all! This tool can also help you access different programs on your Windows device.

Let's see how you can access iSCSI Initiator using the Control Panel:

1. Type Control Panel into the Start menu search bar and select the best match.
2. Click the View by drop-down menu and select the Large icons or Small icons option .
3. Select Administrative Tools from the list.
4. Click the iSCSI Initiator option.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 7

5. Open iSCSI Initiator with Task Manager

You can force close your Windows programs using Task Manager. But besides that, this tool can also help you to access your apps.

So let's discover how you can open iSCSI Initiator using Task Manager:

1. Type Task Manager in the Start menu search bar and select the best match.
2. Click the Files tab in the top left corner.
3. Select the Run new task option .
4. Type iscsicpl.exe in the search box and press OK to open iSCSI Initiator.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 8

6. Open iSCSI Initiator with Command Prompt or PowerShell

Now let's see how to access iSCSI Initiator using Command Prompt and PowerShell.

Let's start with the Command Prompt:

1. Type Command Prompt in the search bar in the Start menu.
2. Right click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator .
3. Type the following command and press Enter to open iSCSI Initiator:

iscsicpl.exe

Now, let's discover how to open iSCSI Initiator using PowerShell:

1. Type Windows PowerShell into the Start menu search bar.
2. Right click on the Windows PowerShell result and select Run as administrator .
3. Type the following command and press Enter to open iSCSI Initiator:

iscsicpl.exe

7. Search for iSCSI Initiator in the System32 . folder

You can also access iSCSI Initiator by double-clicking the relevant option in the Windows System32 folder.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
2. Select This PC on the left.
3. Double-click the Local Disk (C:) option on the right.
4. Open the Windows folder .
5. Scroll down and open the System32 folder .
6. Double click iscsicpl option to open iSCSI Initiator.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 9

If you want to make things easier, just pin the iSCSI Initiator to the taskbar. To do that, right click on iscsicpl option and select Pin to taskbar .

8. Use desktop shortcuts

Windows desktop shortcuts help you access your applications easily. So, let's see how to create a desktop shortcut for iSCSI Initiator:

1. Press Win + D to access the Windows desktop. Also, see .
2. Once you're on the desktop, right-click an empty space and select New > Shortcut .
3. Type %windir%system32iscsicpl.exe in the location box.
4. Click Next to continue.

What is Windows iSCSI Initiator? How to access this tool? Picture 10

Enter iSCSI Initiator in the Name box and then click the Finish button. From there, you'll easily access the tool with a desktop shortcut.

Samuel Daniel

Update 27 June 2023