How to Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD) (2024)

Table of Contents
Using File Explorer Using the File Explorer Context Menu Using Command Prompt Commands Expert Q&A Video Tips You Might Also Like Expert Interview References About This Article Is this article up to date?
  • Categories
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Operating Systems
  • Windows
  • Command Prompt

Download Article

Explore this Article

methods

1Using File Explorer

2Using the File Explorer Context Menu

3Using Command Prompt Commands

Other Sections

Video

Related Articles

Expert Interview

References

Article Summary

Co-authored byStan Katsand Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: April 7, 2024Fact Checked

Download Article

Do you need to access a certain folder at the Windows command prompt? The command prompt might seem archaic, but it's actually really easy once you learn some basic commands. This wikiHow article will show you how to use the "cd" command to open a folder at the Windows command prompt. We'll also show you a cool trick that will help you instantly open a command prompt from any folder using Windows File Explorer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using File Explorer

Download Article

  1. 1

    Press ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer

    . File Explorer is the default file browser for Windows. To open File Explorer, press the Windows key and "E" at the same time.[1]

  2. 2

    Navigate to the folder you want to open in Command Prompt. Use File Explorer to browse to the folder you want to open. Then click the folder to open it.

    Advertisem*nt

  3. 3

    Type cmd in the address bar and press ↵ Enter. This opens a new Command Prompt window inside the folder you currently have open in File Explorer.[2]

    4. Advertisem*nt

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the File Explorer Context Menu

Download Article

  1. 1

    Press ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer

    . File Explorer is the default file browser for Windows. To open File Explorer, press the Windows key and "E" at the same time.

  2. 2

    Navigate to the folder you want to open in Command Prompt. Using the panel on the left side of File Explorer, click the folder you want to open. Then click the folder to open it.

  3. 3

    Hold ⇧ Shift and right-click any blank space in the folder. This displays a context menu next to your mouse cursor.[3]

  4. 4

    Click Open command window here. This opens the Command Prompt inside the folder.[4]

    • On newer versions of Windows, this option has changed to Open PowerShell window here. PowerShell is a more advanced version of Command Prompt. Most commands that work in Command Prompt will also work in PowerShell.

    5. Advertisem*nt

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Command Prompt Commands

Download Article

  1. 1

    Click the Windows Start button

    . It's the icon that has the Windows logo. It is in the lower-left corner by default. This opens the Windows Start menu.

  2. 2

    Type CMD. This displays the Command Prompt in the Windows Start menu.

  3. 3

    Click the Command Prompt icon

    . It has an icon that resembles a black screen with a white text cursor. Click the Command Prompt icon in the Windows Start menu to open Command Prompt.[5]

  4. 4

    Type the drive the folder is in and press ↵ Enter. If the folder you want to open is on a different drive other than the drive your Windows operating system is installed on, you need to switch to that drive in Command Prompt. To do so, type the letter of the drive followed by a colon (e.g. "D:") and then press Enter.

    • You only need to do this if the folder is not located on the drive that Windows is installed on (which is usually the "C:" drive.)

  5. 5

    Type cd followed by a space. The "cd" command is used to change directories in the Windows command prompt. Type "cd" followed by a space, but do not press Enter just yet.

  6. 6

    Type the address of the folder after the space and press ↵ Enter. You'll need to include every folder and sub-folder the folder is located in. Place a backslash ("\") in front of each folder name. For example; "cd \Users\username\Documents."[6]

    • If you are not sure what the path of the folder is, you can navigate to the folder in File Explorer. Right-click the address bar at the top and click Copy address as text. You can then press Ctrl + V to paste the path of the folder directly into Command Prompt right after the "cd" command.

    7. Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Name

      Please provide your name and last initial

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Navigate to a Different Folder in the Command PromptHow to Format a USB Using CMD (Command Prompt)
      How to Change a Windows Password Using Command PromptHow toAdd Users from CMDHow toUse Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python FileHow toReboot from Command Prompt on WindowsHow to Run a Windows Batch File from the Command Line (CMD)How toCopy Files in Command PromptHow toUse Net SendHow to Run an EXE File at the Windows Command PromptHow toWatch Star Wars on Command Prompt3 Ways to Open Command Prompt with Keyboard on Windows5 Simple Ways to Open the Command Prompt in WindowsHow toGo Back Using the Command Prompt

      Advertisem*nt

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about Computer Networking, check out our in-depth interview with Stan Kats.

      About This Article

      How to Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD) (38)

      Co-authored by:

      Stan Kats

      Cybersecurity Expert

      This article was co-authored by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 481,376 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 11

      Updated: April 7, 2024

      Views:481,376

      Categories: Command Prompt

      Article SummaryX

      1. Click the Windows Start menu and type "cmd".
      2. Click the Command Prompt icon to open it.
      3. Type "cd" followed by a space.
      4. Type the address of the folder after the space (i.e. "/Users/username/Documents.")
      5. Press Enter.

      Did this summary help you?

      In other languages

      French

      Hindi

      Indonesian

      Dutch

      Portuguese

      Thai

      Spanish

      Korean

      Arabic

      Chinese

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 481,376 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisem*nt

      How to Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD) (2024)
      Top Articles
      Spending coach reveals the five things she NEVER does with her money
      If You're Still Worried, You Aren't Wealthy - A Wealth of Common Sense
      Maria Dolores Franziska Kolowrat Krakowská
      Arkansas Gazette Sudoku
      Here are all the MTV VMA winners, even the awards they announced during the ads
      Jesus Calling December 1 2022
      Practical Magic 123Movies
      Lost Ark Thar Rapport Unlock
      Puretalkusa.com/Amac
      Tx Rrc Drilling Permit Query
      Gunshots, panic and then fury - BBC correspondent's account of Trump shooting
      Lowes 385
      Milk And Mocha GIFs | GIFDB.com
      Ktbs Payroll Login
      The Rise of Breckie Hill: How She Became a Social Media Star | Entertainment
      What to do if your rotary tiller won't start – Oleomac
      Best Fare Finder Avanti
      Apus.edu Login
      Lake Nockamixon Fishing Report
      Foxy Brown 2025
      bode - Bode frequency response of dynamic system
      Uconn Health Outlook
      Amazing deals for Abercrombie & Fitch Co. on Goodshop!
      Culver's Flavor Of The Day Taylor Dr
      The Tower and Major Arcana Tarot Combinations: What They Mean - Eclectic Witchcraft
      Dark Entreaty Ffxiv
      Copper Pint Chaska
      Tomb Of The Mask Unblocked Games World
      Babydepot Registry
      Motor Mounts
      APUSH Unit 6 Practice DBQ Prompt Answers & Feedback | AP US History Class Notes | Fiveable
      Bus Dublin : guide complet, tarifs et infos pratiques en 2024 !
      Selfservice Bright Lending
      Ny Post Front Page Cover Today
      Final Exam Schedule Liberty University
      Ticketmaster Lion King Chicago
      Publictributes
      Bianca Belair: Age, Husband, Height & More To Know
      Froedtert Billing Phone Number
      Davis Fire Friday live updates: Community meeting set for 7 p.m. with Lombardo
      Bob And Jeff's Monticello Fl
      Grizzly Expiration Date Chart 2023
      [Teen Titans] Starfire In Heat - Chapter 1 - Umbrelloid - Teen Titans
      Brown launches digital hub to expand community, career exploration for students, alumni
      Cara Corcione Obituary
      Stephen Dilbeck, The First Hicks Baby: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
      Mytmoclaim Tracking
      Goosetown Communications Guilford Ct
      Southwind Village, Southend Village, Southwood Village, Supervision Of Alcohol Sales In Church And Village Halls
      Unbiased Thrive Cat Food Review In 2024 - Cats.com
      Bob Wright Yukon Accident
      Latest Posts
      12 Things to Do to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success in 2022
      How To Save Money on Your Monthly Expenses
      Article information

      Author: Aracelis Kilback

      Last Updated:

      Views: 6495

      Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

      Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Aracelis Kilback

      Birthday: 1994-11-22

      Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

      Phone: +5992291857476

      Job: Legal Officer

      Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

      Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.