How To Change The Path Of A File

The Windows 10 logo.

One of the first things you'll need to learn equally you get more familiar with Command Prompt on Windows 10 is how to change directories in the operating system's file system. There are a few ways y'all can exercise this, then nosotros'll walk yous through them.

First, blazon "cmd" in the Windows Search bar to open Command Prompt, and then select "Command Prompt" from the search results.

With Command Prompt opened, you lot're ready to change directories.

Change Directories Using the Drag-and-Drop Method

If the binder yous want to open in Command Prompt is on your desktop or already open up in File Explorer, yous can speedily modify to that directory. Typecd followed past a space, drag and drib the binder into the window, and then press Enter.

The directory yous switched to will be reflected in the command line.

Change Directories Within Command Prompt

It'southward not e'er convenient to open up File Explorer and elevate and drib. That'south why it's cool that you can likewise blazon a command to change directories right in Command Prompt.

RELATED: ten Useful Windows Commands Yous Should Know

Say, for example, yous're in your user folder, and there'south a "Documents" directory in the next file path. You lot tin can type the following control in Control Prompt to switch to that directory:

cd Documents

Note that this only works if you're in the immediate file construction. In our case, that would be (user binder) > Documents. In our current directory, we wouldn't be able to use this method to spring to a directory nested 2 levels down.

So, let's say we're currently in the user folder and desire to go to the "How-To Geek" folder, which is nested in "Documents." If nosotros attempt to jump direct to "How-To Geek" without first going to "Documents," we get the error shown in the image below.

Let's take things one directory at a time, for now. As nosotros mentioned previously, we're currently in our user binder. We typecd Documents in Command Prompt to visit "Documents."

We're now in the "Documents" folder. To move downward some other level, nosotros typecd on the command line followed past the name of that directory.

Now, allow's say nosotros're back in our user folder and want to skip that actress stride and leap two directories downwards. In our case, this would exist our "How-To Geek" folder. We type the post-obit command:

cd Documents\How-To Geek

This allows usa to motility ii directory levels with one command.

$The "cd Documents\How-To Geek" command in Command Prompt.$

If you ever go to the wrong directory and want to turn back, type the following command:

cd . .

This allows you lot to move upwardly a level.

The "cd . . " command in Command Prompt.

A Navigation Tip

If you want to exist a flake more efficient with your directory changes, typecd on the command line, followed by the first few letters of the directory you want. And then, printing Tab to autocomplete the directory name.

Alternatively, you can blazon cd, followed past the kickoff letter of the directory, and then press Tab multiple times until the right directory appears.

Run into Directory Contents

If you're e'er lost and non sure where to go next, you lot tin can view the contents of your current directory past typing dir on the control line.

This volition give you a hint as to which directory to navigate to next.

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