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Command Console with File and Directory Name Completion

Updated: 09 Jul 2008 | 2 comments
riva11's picture
+3 3 Votes
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There are some tips in Linux commands that can be useful also for Juice users in the Windows CMD environment.
For example one of my favorites is the file and directory name completion. The explanation is easy, in Unix shell, you can type the first letters and press the TAB key and it will completed with the first file/folder.

The same tip in Windows environment is turned on by default (Why?). IT admins can have many benefits and speed up typing commands in Command Console. In fact sometimes, change folders or copying the right file name is difficult. But the solution is easy, just enable this feature, as already previously stated, by default it is disabled.

  • Select Start , Run and type REGEDIT
  • Navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor hive.
  • Change the DWORD value "CompletionChar" to 9
  • Exit the Registry Editor.

Once you have done that, open a command prompt and type the command CD, then hit the TAB Key, it will show the first folder. It also works with file commands, just try to type an Xcopy command and see what happens.

Comments

Pikoshi's picture
08
Jul
2008
1 Vote +1
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Might also be useful to

Might also be useful to note that he full location of this DWORD is HKEY_CURRENT_USER->Software->Microsoft->Command Processor

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riva11's picture
09
Jul
2008
3 Votes +3
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Thanks

Updated the article, it was missing the important part of registry key.

Thanks
Paolo