Basic Commands - Windows: Changing Directories in the CLI

Opening PowerShell

  • Typically opens in the home directory.
  • The prompt displays the current directory.

PWD (Print Working Directory)

  • Command to display the current directory.
  • Example: PWD

CD (Change Directory)

  • Command to change the current directory.
  • Requires specifying the path to change to.
Types of Paths
  • Absolute Path: Specifies the complete path starting from the drive letter.
    • Example: C:\Users\Cindy\Documents
  • Relative Path: Specifies the path relative to the current directory.
    • Uses shortcuts to navigate.
Absolute Path Example
  • To change to the documents directory from C:\Users\Cindy, use:
    • CD C:\Users\Cindy\Documents
Relative Path: Navigating Up One Level
  • CD ..
    • Takes you to the parent directory (one level up).
  • Example:
    • Current directory: C:\Users\Cindy\Documents
    • CD ..
    • New directory: C:\Users\Cindy
Combining Relative Paths
  • Moving up one level and then into another directory.
  • Example:
    • From C:\Users\Cindy\Documents to C:\Users\Cindy\Desktop:
      • CD ..\Desktop
    • This is equivalent to first going to C:\Users\Cindy using CD .. and then to C:\Users\Cindy\Desktop using CD Desktop.
Tilde (~) Shortcut
  • The tilde represents the home directory path.
  • Useful for quickly navigating to directories within the home directory.
  • Example:
    • CD ~\Desktop takes you to the desktop directory in your home directory.

Tab Completion

  • Feature to auto-complete file names and directory names by pressing the Tab key.
Usage
  • Type the beginning of a file or directory name and press Tab.
  • If multiple matches exist, press Tab repeatedly to cycle through the options.
  • Example:
    • Typing d and pressing Tab may complete to Desktop if it's the first match.
    • Repeatedly pressing Tab cycles through matches like Desktop, Documents, Downloads.
  • .\ prefix
    • Means the current directory.
    • Example: . \Desktop refers to the Desktop directory in the current directory.
    • Typing de and pressing Tab will directly complete to Desktop if it's the only match.