How to run a command from specific directory in Windows? - windows

I want to run a command (say dir) from a specific folder. I tried following but it didn't work.
cd C:\Users\administrator\temp; dir;
I want to check all the directories present inside temp folder. How can I write a Windows batch script for that?

You don't need the semi-colon's. Just put each command on a new line.
cd C:\Users\administrator\temp
dir
The above works just fine for me.
Note, you can also use "pushd" and "popd" to change the current directory, perform some work and then return to where you were.

This can be done using "&"
Any number of commands can be executed separated with &
Example:
cd C:\Users\username & dir & cd C:\logs & dir

If you want run command window from a specific folder.
Click your folder then hold your shift key, then right click you will found option open command window here then click it.

Related

How to execute ubuntu.exe and navigate to direct folder with one command?

Windows 10 OS.
I'm want to setup phpstorm terminal to use ubuntu.exe "terminal".
When i change it - terminal opens "home" directory for current linux user.
I want to navigate to my certain folder "/var/www/" when terminal inits.
Maybe i should use some flags like this?
.../ubuntu.exe -e "cd /var/www"
So i created bat file with content:
C:\Users\Art4es\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\ubuntu1804.exe run /bin/bash
Then in phpstorm: Settings>Tools>Terminal in 'Shell path' field insert path to this bat file.
Now terminal 'knows' project's directory path.
Go to Settings>Tools>Terminal, make sure "Start directory" is set to the desired path:
C:\<path_to_ubuntu_filesystem>\var\www
Set "Sell path":
C:\<path_to_ubuntu_executable>\ubuntu.exe run

Activating a Python virtual environment & changing directory in one shortcut (with cmd)

I'm trying to do the following:
Open a CMD prompt
Activate a virtual environment
Change the current directory to my project folder
In essence, I need to execute the following commands sequentially:
C:\Envs\djangorocks\Scripts\activate
cd "D:\GitHub\steelrumors"
I've found this link, but creating a shortcut as follows gives me nothing (just a plain CMD prompt in the currently active directory):
cmd \k "C:\Envs\djangorocks\Scripts\activate" & "cd "D:\GitHub\steelrumors""
After quite a while of searching I'm still doing it manually, any help is appreciated.
"creating a shortcut as follows gives me nothing (just a plain CMD prompt in the currently active directory):"
cmd \k "C:\Envs\djangorocks\Scripts\activate" & "cd "D:\GitHub\steelrumors""
Observations:
cmd \k should be cmd /k.
& should be && when using a shortcut.
You dont need all the " characters.
Try the following as the shortcut target:
cmd /k C:\Envs\djangorocks\Scripts\activate && cd D:\GitHub\steelrumors
Consider creating a batch file (e.g. c:\scripts\launchEnv.cmd) that does something like the following:
#echo off
C:\Envs\djangorocks\Scripts\activate
cd /d "D:\GitHub\steelrumors"
Then create a shortcut that invokes cmd /k c:\scripts\launchEnv.cmd .
Some notes:
the #echo off will prevent the commands from showing up in the cmd windows. If you do want to see the commands, then omit that line from your batch file
you'll need the /d param when changing directories to make sure you actually change and navigate there, independent of where the script is currently executing from.
As an extension to the great answer from #DavidPostill I've added an additional step to run a command from the newly created python env.
In my example below, I'm launching a new instance of the awesome data mining program, orange, from an anaconda env called orange. I've also cd'ed to the directory containing my orange data files. Note that I had to use the quotation marks "" to make it work.
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k "F: && cd \Dropbox\IT\Python\Orange && C:\Users\dreme\Anaconda3\Scripts\activate.bat orange && python -m Orange.canvas"

The System cannot find the file specified error while deleting folder

Hi can some one suggest me how to delete below folder(abc) using a batch file?
%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\abc
I tried like RD %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\abc /Q /S
But it is not deleting and when I execute the same command in command line it is giving a message like "The System cannot find the file specified" even though it is exists.
Any solution?
I used "rm -rf PATH_TO_FOLDER" command line on Git Bash (not cmd), then I can delete the similar folder.
Note: Tested on Windows 10 (latest version).
Use 7-zip to "move" them.
When facing an inability to delete a file because of "the system cannot find the file specified" I've tried all the common tricks (verify permissions, command line, free unlocker tools, etc).
What finally got rid of them for me was 7-zip. Using 9.20 "7-zip File Manager" interface (not just the right click on file options) I was able to "Move" the folder which contained the problem files. Sure, that just moves the problem but there is the beauty, you move them to a disk you can format: a VMDK, a thumb drive, etc... problem solved ;)
Inspired by one of the answers, but instead of using 7-zip I used WinRAR to archive the empty folder. Before archiving the folder there is an option to delete the folder after archiving, select that option and once the folder is a zip file, the folder should be deleted, and you can go ahead and delete the zip file. I am not sure if it will work for you but it worked for me after spending hours on the internet trying to find a solution.
Here is what worked for me.
Open command prompt
Browse to parent directory of the folder you want to delete
run 'dir /x' (displays short names - xxxxxx~1)
run 'rd xxxxxx~1' substituting the folder name you want to delete.
I had a problem where two Pictures folders would show under my user profile, and windows wouldn't let me delete the second folder.
Try putting the directory name in quotes:
rmdir /q /s "%UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\abc"
Otherwise the spaces in the directory name will be interpreted as argument separators.
The only solution that worked for me was to put \\?\ in front of the path when running rd in command prompt.
For example, to delete D:\bad\folder
Open CMD and then type:
rd /s "\\?\D:\bad\folder"
At a command line run:
ECHO %UserProfile%
What does it return?
Open that directory in Windows Explorer and double check that a folder called AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\abc exists in it.
I'm thinking that maybe it doesn't exist, and the folder you're looking at that you said does exist, is in a directory with a root that is different from %UserProfile%.
Update
Open a new command window by doing the following, which ensures that it's in Administrator mode.
On a Shortcut to a command window, Right Click > Properties > Shortcut > Advanced and check the "Run As Administrator" checkbox, and click OK twice. Then run the command prompt via the shortcut. You'll know it worked if it looks like this, with the word "Administrator" in the title, see screenshot below. Then try running your RD command again.

How do I launch a Git Bash window with particular working directory using a script?

How can I launch a new Git Bash window with a specified working directory using a script (either Bash or Windows batch)?
My goal is to launch multiple Git Bash windows from a single script, each set to a different working directory. This way I can quickly get to work after booting the computer instead of having to open Git Bash windows and navigating each one to the correct working directory.
I am not asking how to change the default working directory, like this question does, but to launch one or more terminal windows with different working directories from a script.
Another option is to create a shortcut with the following properties:
Target should be:
"%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files (x86)\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login
Start in is the folder you wish your Git Bash prompt to launch into.
Try the --cd= option. Assuming your GIT Bash resides in C:\Program Files\Git it would be:
"C:\Program Files\Git\git-bash.exe" --cd="e:\SomeFolder"
If used inside registry key, folder parameter can be provided with %1:
"C:\Program Files\Git\git-bash.exe" --cd="%1"
Git Bash uses cmd.exe for its terminal plus extentions from MSYS/MinGW which are provided by sh.exe, a sort of cmd.exe wrapper. In Windows you launch a new terminal using the start command.
Thus a shell script which launches a new Git Bash terminal with a specific working directory is:
(cd C:/path/to/dir1 && start sh --login) &
(cd D:/path/to/dir2 && start sh --login) &
An equivalent Windows batch script is:
C:
cd \path\to\dir1
start "" "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files (x86)\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login
D:
cd \path\to\dir2
start "" "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files (x86)\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login
To get the same font and window size as the Git Bash launched from the start menu, it is easiest to copy the start menu shortcut settings to the command console defaults (to change defaults, open cmd.exe, left-click the upper left icon, and select Defaults).
Let yet add up to the answer from #Drew Noakes:
Target:
"C:\Program Files\Git\git-bash.exe" --cd=C:\GitRepo
The cd param should be one of the options how to specify the working directory.
Also notice, that I have not any --login param there: Instead, I use another extra app, dedicated just for SSH keys: Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent).
Start in:
C:\GitRepo
The same possible way, as #Drew Noakes mentioned/shown here sooner, I use it too.
Shortcut key:
Ctrl + Alt + B
Such shortcuts are another less known feature in Windows. But there is a restriction: To let the shortcut take effect, it must be placed somewhere on the User's subdirectory: The Desktop is fine.
If you do not want it visible, yet still activatable, place this .lnk file i.e. to the quick launch folder, as that dir is purposed for such shortcuts. (no matter whether displayed on the desktop) #76080 #3619355
"\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\"
In addition, Win10 gives you an option to open git bash from your working directory by right-clicking on your folder and selecting GitBash here.
Windows 10
This is basically #lengxuehx's answer, but updated for Win 10, and it assumes your bash installation is from Git Bash for Windows from git's official downloads.
cmd /c (start /b "%cd%" "C:\Program Files\GitW\git-bash.exe") && exit
I ended up using this after I lost my context-menu items for Git Bash as my command to run from the registry settings. In case you're curious about that, I did this:
Create a new key called Bash in the shell key at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
Add a string value to Icon (not a new key!) that is the full path to your git-bash.exe, including the git-bash.exe part. You might need to wrap this in quotes.
Edit the default value of Bash to the text you want to use in the context menu
Add a sub-key to Bash called command
Modify command's default value to cmd /c (start /b "%cd%" "C:\Program Files\GitW\git-bash.exe") && exit
Then you should be able to close the registry and start using Git Bash from anywhere that's a real directory. For example, This PC is not a real directory.
This is the command which can be executed directly in Run dialog box (shortcut is win+R) and also works well saved as a .bat script:
cmd /c (start /d "/path/to/dir" bash --login) && exit
I'm not familiar with Git Bash but assuming that it is a git shell (such as git-sh) residing in /path/to/my/gitshell and your favorite terminal program is called `myterm' you can script the following:
(cd dir1; myterm -e /path/to/my/gitshell) &
(cd dir2; myterm -e /path/to/my/gitshell) &
...
Note that the parameter -e for execution may be named differently with your favorite terminal program.
Using Windows Explorer, navigate to any directory you want, type "cmd" in the address bar it will open Windows command prompt in that directory.
Along the same lines, if you have the git directory in your path, you can type "git-bash" in the address bar and a Git Shell will open in that directory.
If using Windows OS :
Right click on git terminal > Properties
Properties>Under shortcut tab>Start in:
add your folder target path like below image

BAT file to open CMD in current directory

I have many scripts which I interact with from the command line. Everytime I need to use them, I have to open a command line window and copy+paste and CD to the path to the directory they are in. This is tedious (they are in a rather deep file system, so typing out the full path is a pain, copy+paste is better but not much). I tried to create a .BAT file that I could double-click on that would open a new command-line window in the folder the .bat file exists in but it does not work. It opens a new window, but the working directory is not the directory that .bat file is in. Here's what I've got after much googling (My cmd skills ain't so great):
cd %CD%
cmd.exe
I know from when I used Linux that Konqueror had a "Command-line window here" feature, and that's the effect I'm trying to get on Windows.
you probably want to do this:
cd /d %~dp0
cmd.exe
this will set your current directory to the directory you have the batch file in
Create a file named open_dos_here.cmd with the following lines:
%~d1
cd "%~p1"
call cmd
Put this file at any folder.
Then, go to your Send To folder (Win+E; Alt+D;shell:sendto;Enter).
Create a shortcut to point to this open_dos_here.cmd
Then, in any folder, select any file or sub-folder. Right-click and select "Send To" and then select open_dos_here.cmd to open the DOS in that folder.
You can just enter cmd into the address bar in Explorer and it starts up in that path. Likewise for PowerShell.
There's a simpler way -
start /d "folder path"
As a more general solution you might want to check out the Microsoft Power Toy for XP that adds the "Open Command Window Here" option when you right-click: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
In Vista and Windows 7, you'll get that option if you hold down shift and right-click (this is built in).
I'm thinking that if you are creating a batch script that relies on the Current Directory being set to the folder that contains the batch file, that you are setting yourself up for trouble when you try to execute the batch file using a fully qualified path as you would from a scheduler.
Better to add this line to your batch file too:
REM Change Current Directory to the location of this batch file
CD /D %~dp0
unless you are fully qualifying all of your paths.
Another solution is to use a shortcut file to cmd.exe instead of a batch file.
Edit the shortcut's start in property to %~dp0.
You achieve the same thing, except it has the Cmd icon (and you can change this).
Some people don't like clicking on batch files without knowing what's in them, and some corporate network drives have a ban on .bat files...
The simplest command to do this:
start
You can always run this in command line to open new command line window in the same location. Or you can place it in your .bat file.
Most simple way in explorer is to Shift + right mouse click on the folder or on an empty space in the folder and click on Open command prompt here.
CMD will then start in that folder
I must say, I'm not sure if it works for Windows Vista and below, but it surely works for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Referring to answer of #Chris,
We can also go to parent directory of batch file and run commands using following
cd /d %~dp0..
<OTHER_BATCH_COMMANDS>
cmd.exe
To understand working of command cd /d %~dp0.. please refer below link
What does it mean by command cd /d %~dp0 in Windows
You could add a context menu entry through the registry:
Navigate in your Registry to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Classes/Folder/Shell
and create a key called "Command Prompt" without the quotes.
Set the default string to whatever text you want to appear in the right-click menu.
Create a new key within your newly created command prompt named "command," and set the default string to
cmd.exe /k pushd %1
You may need to add %SystemRoot%\system32\ before the cmd.exe if the executable can't be found.
The changes should take place immediately. Right click a folder and your new menu item should appear.
Also see http://www.petri.co.il/add_command_prompt_here_shortcut_to_windows_explorer.htm
When you are in the desired folder , just type CMD in your address bar
A bit late to the game but if I'm understanding your needs correctly this will help people with the same issue.
Two solutions with the same first step:
First navigate to the location you keep your scripts in and copy the filepath to that directory.
First Solution:
Click "Start"
Right-click "Computer" (or "My Computer)
Click "Properties"
On the left, click "Advanced System Settings"
Click "Environment Variables"
In the "System Variables" Box, scroll down and select "PATH"
Click "Edit"
In the "Variable Value" field, scroll all the way to the right
If there isn't a semi-colon (;) there yet, add it.
Paste in the filepath you copied earlier.
End with a semi-colon.
Click "OK"
Click "OK" again
Click "OK" one last time
You can now use any of your scripts as if you were already that folder.
Second Solution: (can easily be paired with the first for extra usefulness)
On your desktop create a batch file with the following content.
#echo off
cmd /k cd "C:\your\file\path"
This will open a command window like what you tried to do.
For tons of info on windows commands check here: http://ss64.com/nt/
Create a new file startCmdLine.bat in your directory and put this line in it
call cmd
That is it. Now double click on the .bat file. It works for me.
You can replace call with start, it will also work.
this code works for me
name it cmd.bat
#echo off
title This is Only A Test
echo.
:Loop
set /p the="%cd%"
%the%
echo.
goto loop
you can try:
shift + right click
then, click on Open command prompt here
Inside given folder click on the top Adddress Bar and type cmd and click enter
It will open command prompt with current folder address.
You can simply create a bat file in any convenient place and drop any file from the desired directory onto it.
Haha. Code for this:
cmd

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