Move - Windows CMD - SS64.com (2024)

Table of Contents

Errorlevels Examples Related commands

Move a file from one folder to another.

Syntax MOVE [options] [Source] [Target]Key source : The path and filename of the file(s) to move. target : The path and filename to move file(s) to. options: /Y Suppress confirmation prompt, when overwriting files. /-Y Enable confirmation prompt, when overwriting files.

Both Source and Target can be either a folder or a single file.

The source can include wildcards (but not the destination).

Under Windows 2000 and above, the default action is to prompt on overwrite unless the command is being executed from within a batch script.
To force the overwriting of destination files use the COPYCMD environment variable:
SET COPYCMD=/Y

Errorlevels

If the File(s) were successfully moved/renamed %ERRORLEVEL% = 0
If the File was not found, could not be moved/renamed or bad parameters %ERRORLEVEL% = 1

Examples

Rename a file in the current folder, unlike the REN command this will replace the destination file if it already exists:

MOVE oldfile.wp newfile.doc

Move a file, specifying the full path:

MOVE g:\department\oldfile.wp "c:\Files to Convert\newfile.doc"
See Also
Open windows Maximized Command-line, Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A

Specify the drive and filename, assumes the current folder on both drives is correct:

MOVE a:oldfile.wp c:newfile.doc

Specify source only, will copy the file to current folder, keeping the same filename:

MOVE g:\department\oldfile.wp

Quiet move, no feedback on screen:

MOVE oldfile.docx newfile.docx >nul

Move a file, but do not overwrite if the destination file already exists, this technique only works for a single file, no wildcards
( /-y is required):

Echo n|MOVE /-y c:\file1.txt c:\dir\file1.txt

MOVE is an internal command.

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex...
It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction” ~ E.F. Schumacher

Related commands

COPY - Copy one or more files to another location.
INUSE - Replace files that are in use by the OS.
ROBOCOPY /MOVE - Robust File and Folder Copy.
XCOPY - Copy files and folders.
REN - Rename a file or files.
Move the CSC folder (client-side caching).
Equivalent PowerShell: Move-Item - Move an item from one location to another (move/mv/mi).
Equivalent bash command (Linux): mv - Move or rename files or directories.