All of the above suggestions are good. This is from the Win 7 HELP section:
"The Run command no longer appears on the Start menu in this version of Windows. The search box that appears on the Start menu provides much of the same functionality as the Run command. However, the Run command is still available if you prefer to use it. You can even add it to the Start menu for easier access.
"To add the Run command to the Start menu:
"Click to open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.
"Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
"In the list of Start menu options, select the Run command check box, and then click OK. The Run command will be displayed on the right side of the Start menu."