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Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: double99 on March 21, 2007, 11:43:18 PM

Title: Easy Windows command line question
Post by: double99 on March 21, 2007, 11:43:18 PM

Hi
I am using Windows XP pro.  I want to change directories in the comand line.  I can change directories to say cd windows and it does this fine. But try and change directories to a folder that has character spaces and my days of Ms-DOS ude elude me.
So how do I change directories to Documents and settings?
I have tried cd\documents and settings etc to no avail. This must be a simple question for somone on this forum.
Many thanks

Title: Re: Easy Windows command line question
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 22, 2007, 12:25:46 AM

To do this simply either surround the long file name in quotes or use the short 8.3 file format. For example type:

cd "documents and settings"
cd docume~1

or if you want to make it easier on yourself and are running a later version of windows instead of going to the MS-DOS prompt by typing command go into the ms-dos prompt by typing cmd in the run line.

Additional information on long file names:


http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000209.htm