How to open files and folders from the Windows command prompt

In this way, the file will be opened with the default application of the operating system.

4. Command "explorer"

The "explorer" command allows you to open a folder using Windows File Explorer. For example, if you want to open the "Documents" folder, type the following command:

This will open the folder in Windows File Explorer.

5. Command "notepad"

The "notepad" command allows you to open a text file using Windows Notepad. For example, if you want to open the "document.txt" file with Notepad, type the following command:

This will open the file with Windows Notepad.

• Remember that file and folder names must be typed correctly, otherwise the command prompt will not be able to locate the desired file or folder.
• You can use your keyboard to automatically complete file and folder names. For example, if you want to access the "Documents" folder, you can type "cd Doc" and press Tab to automatically complete the folder name.

Open files with a specific application

If you want to open a file with a specific application, you can use the "start" command followed by the file path and application name.

For example, if you want to open a text file with Notepad, type:

• start notepad C:\path\to\file\file_name.txt

This will open the text file with the Notepad application.

You can use the same command to open other types of files with their respective applications. For example, if you want to open a photo with Paint, type:

• start mspaint C:\path\to\file\file_name.jpg

This will open the photo with the Paint application.

Remember to specify the correct full file path and application name. Otherwise, you may receive an error message.

Open a folder in File Explorer

The Windows command prompt can also be used to open a folder in File Explorer. Here's how:

1. Open the Windows command prompt.
2. Type "explorer" followed by the folder path you want to open. For example, if you want to open the "Documents" folder in your personal directory, type "explorer C:\Users\Username\Documents".
3. Press Enter and the folder will be opened in File Explorer.

Alternatively, you can simply type "explorer ." (period) to open the current folder.

Remember that the folder path must be typed correctly and without typos. Otherwise, the command will not work.

This is a useful solution when you need to navigate between different folders or if you need to quickly access a specific folder without having to manually search for it in File Explorer.

Conclusion

Knowing how to use the Windows command prompt may seem complicated, but in reality there are many operations that can be performed more quickly and efficiently than using the mouse and graphical windows. Learning to use the command prompt can therefore be very useful for improving productivity and saving time.

With the information provided in this article, you are ready to start using the Windows command prompt. Experiment with various commands and discover how they can simplify your life!