Windows Command Line: File System & Navigation

🏴‍☠️ Becoming a Cap10 of the Command Line: Windows File System & Navigation

Objective: Teach absolute beginners how to confidently navigate and manage files in Windows using the command line (Command Prompt and PowerShell).

Part 1: Understanding the Windows File System

Before we dive into the command line, let’s get the big picture of how Windows organizes files.

Key Concepts:

• Drives (C:\, D:\, etc.): Windows organizes storage into drives.
• Folders (Directories): These are containers inside drives—just like on your desktop.
• Files: Individual items stored inside folders (e.g., .txt, .exe, .png).
• Paths: A file’s location on the system (e.g., C:\Users\John\Documents\report.txt).

Example Structure:

C:\
 ├── Users\
 │   ├── John\
 │   │   ├── Documents\
 │   │   ├── Downloads\
 │   │   ├── Desktop\
 │   │   ├── Pictures\
 ├── Program Files\
 ├── Windows\
 ├── Temp\
            

⏩ Now, let’s navigate this like a pro using the command line!

Part 2: Navigating the File System with CMD & PowerShell

First, open the Command Prompt or PowerShell:

• Command Prompt (cmd.exe): Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
• PowerShell: Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell.

1. See Your Current Location

CMD:

echo %CD%
            

PowerShell:

pwd  # Returns the current directory
$PWD  # PowerShell object way, same result as `pwd`
            

When to use: In CMD, echo %CD% prints the current directory, and in PowerShell, pwd gives the current directory. The $PWD object is handy for scripts and interactive use.

2. List Files and Folders

CMD:

dir
            

PowerShell:

ls
            

When to use: Both commands list files in the current directory. Use dir /w in CMD for wide format or apply filters in PowerShell.

3. Move Around (Change Directory)

CMD:

cd C:\Users\John\Documents  # Move to Documents folder
cd ..                       # Move up one level
cd /d D:\Projects           # Switch to another drive
            

PowerShell:

cd C:\Users\John\Documents  # Move to Documents folder
cd ..                       # Move up one level
cd /d D:\Projects           # Switch to another drive (works like CMD)
Set-Location C:\Users\John  # Alternative PowerShell cmdlet
            

When to use: Use cd in CMD and PowerShell; for clearer scripts in PowerShell, consider Set-Location.

4. Create New Folders

CMD:

mkdir MyFolder
            

PowerShell:

mkdir MyFolder
New-Item MyFolder -ItemType Directory  # Alternative in PowerShell
            

When to use: Both approaches create directories; PowerShell’s New-Item provides extra control when needed.

5. Create Files

PowerShell:

New-Item myfile.txt -ItemType File
            

CMD:

echo "Hello World" > myfile.txt
            

When to use: PowerShell’s New-Item is ideal for scripted workflows, while CMD’s redirection is great for quick file creation.

6. Delete Files and Folders

CMD:

del myfile.txt
rmdir MyFolder
            

PowerShell:

Remove-Item myfile.txt
Remove-Item MyFolder -Recurse
            

When to use: CMD uses del and rmdir, while PowerShell’s Remove-Item can handle both files and folders with additional options.

7. Copy and Move Files

CMD:

copy myfile.txt C:\Backup\
            

PowerShell:

Move-Item myfile.txt C:\Backup\
Copy-Item myfile.txt C:\Backup\
            

When to use: Use CMD’s copy or PowerShell’s Copy-Item and Move-Item for file operations with added flexibility.

Part 3: Intermediate Command Line Power Moves

Once comfortable, let's move to more intermediate commands.

1. Open Programs

CMD:

start notepad.exe
            

PowerShell:

start notepad.exe
            

2. Check Your Disk Space

CMD:

wmic logicaldisk get size,freespace,caption
            

PowerShell:

Get-PSDrive
            

3. Find Files Containing Specific Text

CMD:

findstr "error" log.txt
            

PowerShell:

Select-String -Path log.txt -Pattern "error"
            

4. Copy Multiple Files at Once

CMD:

copy *.txt C:\Backup\
            

PowerShell:

Copy-Item *.txt -Destination C:\Backup\
            

5. Clean Up Temp Files

CMD:

del /q C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Temp\*
            

PowerShell:

Remove-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Temp\*" -Force -Recurse
            

Final Challenge: Prove Your Command Line Captaincy

Try these:

• Create a new folder called Projects inside Documents.
• Create a file called readme.txt inside Projects and write "Hello, Cap10!" inside it.
• Rename the file to info.txt.
• Move info.txt to the Desktop.
• Delete info.txt from the Desktop.
• List all .txt files in your C:\Users\YourName\Documents\ folder.

Master these, and you're a Cap10 of the Command Line! 🏴‍☠️

Would you like a cheat sheet with all these commands for quick reference? 🚀

Key File Locations & Tools Available in the CLI

Now that you've learned how to navigate and manage files in the command line, it's important to understand where to find key system files and the tools you have access to in the CLI. Here's a breakdown of the most commonly used directories and utilities that will be helpful when you're working with files in Windows:

Key File Locations

Here are some important file locations in Windows that you will frequently interact with through the command line:

• C:\ - The root directory of the system. This is where your Windows installation resides, along with important folders like Program Files, Windows, and Users.
• C:\Users\YourName\ - Your personal user directory. This is where your documents, desktop files, and settings are stored.
• C:\Program Files (x86)\ - Contains installed programs (32-bit applications are usually stored here, while 64-bit apps are in C:\Program Files\).
• C:\Windows\ - The system directory containing all operating system files. Handle with care.
• C:\Temp\ - A folder for temporary files. Regular cleanup can free up space.
• C:\ProgramData\ - Stores application data shared between users (this folder is hidden by default).
• C:\Users\YourName\AppData\ - A hidden folder where applications store user-specific data like settings and cache.

Note: Use the cd command with these paths (e.g., cd C:\Users\YourName\) to quickly navigate.

Essential Command Line Tools

Here are some useful tools and utilities available in the Windows command line:

• dir - Lists the contents of a directory. Use dir /s or dir /b for additional formats.
• cd - Changes the current directory.
• mkdir - Creates a new directory.
• del - Deletes files (use del /f for force deletion).
• copy - Copies files from one location to another.
• move - Moves files from one location to another.
• xcopy - Copies entire directories including subdirectories.
• robocopy - An advanced tool for copying files with options for resuming and network copying.
• findstr - Searches for text within files (similar to Linux's grep).
• choco - The Chocolatey package manager for installing or updating software.
• wmic - Retrieves system information, such as disk usage.
• tasklist - Displays all running processes.
• taskkill - Terminates a running process by name or PID.

Note: Most tools work in both CMD and PowerShell, though PowerShell cmdlets may offer extra features.

File Path Environment Variables

Environment variables let you access common directories without typing full paths. Examples include:

• %USERPROFILE% - Your personal user directory (C:\Users\YourName\).
• %APPDATA% - Application settings directory (C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\).
• %TEMP% - Temporary files directory (C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp).
• %PROGRAMFILES% - Directory for installed programs (C:\Program Files).
• %WINDIR% - Windows system directory (C:\Windows).

Using these variables (e.g., cd %TEMP%) can save you time.