Most advanced computer users will still need to use command prompt or DOS. Like me, there are some things that I still prefer to do it in command prompt. Some tasks are automated with batch scripts which I write myself. One of very annoying thing is typing the long file or folder names in command prompt. It takes slightly longer to type the long file/folder name and then the worst thing is when I get it wrong which will result me in getting the message “The system cannot find the path specified“. Then the second time I will have to type it carefully to avoid typos. Really a waste of time…
Without a doubt that most common mistype folder name in command prompt is “Documents and Settings”. Starting from Windows 2000, you can avoid typing the wrong file/folder names because you can hit the “TAB” key and it will auto complete the word.
Here’s an example of how auto-complete works in command prompt.
If you are at C:\ and type in:
C:\>cd doc
And then press the TAB key, Windows will automatically type in C:\cd “Documents and Settings”
The folders will switch by pressing the Tab key several times. This will work in Windows XP and Vista by default. As for Windows 2000, you’ll need to modify the registry.
1. Go to Start and then click Run.
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor
4. At the right pane of Registry Editor, look for CompletionChar and PathCompletionChar.
5. Double click the name and change the value to 9.
I think that this is an easy and good tip for me to share with you all 🙂
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