How to Use the Command Terminal in Windows 10 to Move and Copy Files/Folders (2024)

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1Accessing the Command Line Terminal

2Understanding the Syntax

3Inputting Commands

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Last Updated: December 6, 2021

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Everyone understands that Computers can be difficult. At times, Computers just do the exact opposite of what the user tells them, and this can get really frustrating. This is where the Windows Command line Terminal comes into play. The Command line Terminal acts as a sort of direct communication line with the device. In the sense that whatever you input into the Terminal, the Computer will do exactly as instructed. This allows for users to effectively utilize the Terminal as a plan B whenever the software of their device seems to be malfunctioning. When an operating system or software fails and won’t allow the user to move any of their precious files, it can cause a logistical issue. This why learning how to move files using the Command line Terminal can be so useful.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Accessing the Command Line Terminal

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  1. 1

    Click the Start button at the bottom left of the screen to open up the start menu.

    • All versions of the Microsoft Windows Operating system have some form of the Start Menu, typically associated with the Microsoft logo itself.
  2. 2

    Type in either “cmd” or “command line” on the navigation bar and hit enter

    • The term “cmd” is the Microsoft term for the Windows Terminal

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  3. 3

    Ensure you're logged in as an administrator. In order to properly move files, one must be logged in as an administrator, to do this after selecting the Command line icon click “Run as Administrator”.

    • The Command line icon appears as a black box with a little scribble in the top left. This is indicative of the GUI of the Terminal which is literally just a black background with white text.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Understanding the Syntax

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  1. 1

    Type in the move command. At the prompt line type in “move /?”

    • The “move” command will be the primary command used to transport files/folders in the Windows Terminal.
    • The “/?” option of the command is essentially a help manual. With any command, after inputting “/?”, it brings up a manual for all the respective options and varieties for that respective command.
  2. 2

    At the prompt line type in “dir”.

    • The “dir” command essentially lists all the files/folders that are situated in your current directory. It is short for directory.
    • The file names that are listed in blue are all files that can be accessed by the current user, those in white are only available to administrators.
  3. 3

    At the prompt line type in “copy /?”

    • Keep in mind, the copy command simply duplicates a file/folder and pastes it to the intended destination. The original file/folder still exists in its original spot and must be deleted.
    • If you wish to do this, simply input “del [filename]”, and the file/folder should be deleted
  4. 4

    Establish the directory. If you are planning on moving your files to a new directory it is important to first establish this new directory before moving the files. To do this simply input “mkdir [filename]”.

    • The command “mkdir” stands for “make directory”
    • A directory is a file system that stores and organizes a variety of files, folders, documents, and even other directories
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Inputting Commands

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  1. 1

    Understand how to move a file. To move a file/folder simply input “move [filename] [destination]” into the prompt.

    • The terms in brackets should be replaced with their literal substitutes.
  2. 2

    Understand the copy command. To copy a file/folder in Windows simply type in “copy [source] [destination]”

    • There is no need to do a paste command of any sort, technically speaking it is already in the command. The destination half of the command represents the paste command.
  3. 3

    Validate whether or not the file/folder was actually moved/copied. Simply type in “cd [directory]”, and then input “dir” to display all the stored files/folders.

    • If done properly, the name of the file/folder should appear in blue
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      How to Use the Command Terminal in Windows 10 to Move and Copy Files/Folders (30)

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      As a seasoned computer enthusiast with extensive experience in operating systems, particularly Windows, I am well-versed in the intricacies of the Windows Command Line Terminal. Over the years, I have navigated through various versions of the Windows operating system, and my proficiency extends to troubleshooting and utilizing the Command Line Terminal as a powerful tool for system management.

      Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article:

      Accessing the Command Line Terminal:

      1. Start Menu Navigation: The article guides users to access the Command Line Terminal through the Start menu, emphasizing the universality of the Start menu across Windows versions.

      2. Command Input: The article instructs users to enter either "cmd" or "command line" in the navigation bar to initiate the Windows Terminal, highlighting the flexibility in terminology used to refer to the Command Line Terminal.

      3. Administrator Access: Stressing the importance of administrative access, the article advises users to run the Command Line Terminal as an administrator for certain operations. The visual cue of a black box with a scribble denotes the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Terminal.

      Understanding the Syntax:

      1. Move Command: The article introduces the "move" command as the primary means of transporting files and folders within the Windows Terminal. It underscores the importance of the "/?" option, indicating a built-in help manual for command options.

      2. Directory Listing (dir): Users are educated about the "dir" command, which lists files and folders in the current directory. The color-coded display differentiates between files accessible to users and those restricted to administrators.

      3. Copy Command: The article introduces the "copy" command, elucidating its purpose in duplicating files or folders. It highlights that the original file/folder persists and may require deletion using the "del" command.

      4. Making Directories (mkdir): Users are informed about creating directories using the "mkdir" command, emphasizing the importance of establishing a new directory before moving files.

      Inputting Commands:

      1. Move Command Usage: The article provides a syntax guide for moving files or folders using the "move" command, stressing the need to replace placeholders with actual file and destination names.

      2. Copy Command Usage: Users are instructed on copying files or folders using the "copy" command, with an emphasis on the implicit paste action in the command's destination parameter.

      3. Validation Commands: To ensure successful file operations, the article advises users to navigate to directories using the "cd" command and verify the results using the "dir" command.

      By breaking down these concepts, users gain a comprehensive understanding of utilizing the Windows Command Line Terminal for file and directory management.

      How to Use the Command Terminal in Windows 10 to Move and Copy Files/Folders (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Use the Command Terminal in Windows 10 to Move and Copy Files/Folders? ›

      To move a file/folder simply input “move [filename] [destination]” into the prompt. The terms in brackets should be replaced with their literal substitutes.

      How do I move files and folders in terminal? ›

      In the Terminal app on your Mac, use the mv command to move files or folders from one location to another on the same computer. The mv command moves the file or folder from its old location and puts it in the new location.

      How to copy files and folders using Command Prompt Windows 10? ›

      To copy files, use the copy command from the command line.
      1. copy c:\myfile. ...
      2. copy *. ...
      3. copy d:\example.xls. ...
      4. To find cmd, go to Start and type cmd into the search box. ...
      5. Now, in the command prompt, type the Xcopy command to copy folders and subfolders, including their contents, as shown below. ...
      6. Xcopy C:\test D:\test /E /H /C /I.
      Apr 2, 2024

      How do I move files in Windows terminal? ›

      move cmd command
      1. [drive:][path]filename1 – Specifies the location and name of the file or files you want to move.
      2. destination – Specifies the new location of the file. ...
      3. [drive:][path]dirname1 – Specifies the directory you want to rename.
      4. dirname2 – Specifies the new name of the directory.
      5. /Y – ...
      6. /Y –
      Oct 20, 2020

      How do I move between folders in Windows terminal? ›

      The cd command allows you to move between directories. The cd command takes an argument, usually the name of the folder you want to move to, so the full command is cd your-directory . Now that we moved to your Desktop, you can type ls again, then cd into it. We have just changed into a new directory.

      What is the command for moving files in terminal? ›

      Use the mv command to move files and directories from one directory to another or to rename a file or directory. If you move a file or directory to a new directory without specifying a new name, it retains its original name. Attention: The mv command can overwrite many existing files unless you specify the -i flag.

      How to move files in command line? ›

      To relocate or move a file to another folder, you can use the following commands based on the operating system you are using: For Windows Command Prompt: To move a file to another folder in Windows Command Prompt, you can use the move command. Here's the syntax: move "source\filename" "destination\folder\filename"

      How to copy folder and subfolders using cmd? ›

      Examples
      1. To copy all the files and subdirectories (including any empty subdirectories) from drive A to drive B, type: xcopy a: b: /s /e.
      2. To include any system or hidden files in the previous example, add the /h command-line option as follows: xcopy a: b: /s /e /h.
      Nov 11, 2023

      How do I copy files and folders using cmd? ›

      Copy All Folders and Subfolders with Files. First, you should open the Command Prompt in administrator mode. Click on "Start", type CMD, and select "Run as administrator". After the Command Prompt is open, type the Xcopy command as shown to copy all folders and subfolders with files.

      What is the command to copy files and folders? ›

      Use the cp command to create a copy of the contents of the file or directory specified by the SourceFile or SourceDirectory parameters into the file or directory specified by the TargetFile or TargetDirectory parameters.

      How to move directory in cmd? ›

      To change the directory in Command Prompt (Cmd), use the “cd” command followed by the desired directory path, e.g., “cd C:NewDirectory.”

      How do I move files in Windows 10? ›

      Use the Move or Copy option

      Alternatively, right-click the item and depending on what you want to do, select Move or Copy to folder. Select a folder from the drop-down list. If your folder isn't listed, select Move to a different folder (or Copy to a different folder).

      What is the copy command in Windows? ›

      Keyboard Command: Control (Ctrl) + C

      The COPY command is used for just that - it copies the text or image you have selected and stores is on your virtual clipboard, until it is overwritten by the next "cut" or "copy" command.

      How do I move a folder in Windows 10 command line? ›

      Way 1: Move Folders and Subfolders Using the Move Command

      You can try this command with the following steps. Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run window. Step 2: Type cmd into the text box and hit Enter to open Command Prompt. Step 3: Type move [<source>] [<target>] and hit Enter.

      How to move the files and folders from one place to another place in computer? ›

      Go to the location where stores your file or folder. Click the name of the file or folder you wish to move. Hold down the right mouse button and drag the file or folder to the location you wish to move.

      How does Xcopy work? ›

      XCOPY copies files or groups of files to and from directories. Especially useful for copying data to and from a fixed disk. The first path designation specifies the source file(s); the second path designation specifies the target file(s).

      How do I move a folder down in terminal? ›

      We'll use "cd" to move down as well as up the directory structure. The second way to list files in a directory, is to first move into the directory using the "cd" command (which stands for "change directory", then simply use the "ls" command.

      How do I move between folders in terminal Mac? ›

      The cd command is used to change the current working directory in the Terminal on a Mac. Here's how you can use it: Open the Terminal application on your Mac. Type cd followed by the path of the directory you want to change to.

      How do I move a directory in Linux terminal? ›

      Using the "mv" Command to Move the Directory in Linux

      The most common and versatile command for moving directories in Linux is mv. The mv command is primarily used for renaming files and directories, but it can also be utilized to move directories from one location to another.

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