In the Windows command prompt (CMD), we use the cd command to change from one directory to another. However, it only changes the path inside the current drive by default.
If you want to change to a different drive in CMD, you need to use the /d switch.
cd /d D:For example, I am working on the command prompt, inside the C:\Users\user1 folder. Now I want to move into a folder called data which is in the D: drive.
In the above screenshot, you can see that the command didn’t work. The solution is to use the /d switch.
Alternatively, simply enter the drive letter followed by a colon, as follows:
D:However, this method only changes to the root of the drive. If you want to go to a folder, you have to use the CD command.
on July 2, 2010
In command prompt we can switch from one drive to another drive by just typing the drive letter name suffixed with the character ‘:’
For example if you are working in C: drive and if you want to switch to E: drive just type ‘E:’ at command prompt and press ‘Enter‘.
Example:
C:\> E: E:\>
If you want to switch and also move to some particular directory in the new drive then you can use ‘cd’ command with /D switch. For example to move to e:\dir1 from the above C: drive folder you need to run the below command.
cd /D E:\dir1
This will place you in E:\dir1 folder. Just doing cd without /D switch will not change the drive.
As you use Windows, there are times you will need to execute commands in the Command Prompt (CMD) to perform certain tasks. There are commands that will only work when they are executed in the right directory. This short guide will show you how to change the directory or drive in CMD on Windows 11.
The commands to change directory or drive can also be used in the Windows Terminal (a new command-line tools and shells similar to CMD) in Windows 11.
Change directory or drive in Command Prompt
In Command Prompt, you can use the CD command to change the current directory to any other directory you want. This is provided if you have access to the directory and if the directory you want to change to does exist.
For example, the command below will change the current directory to “C:\test” in CMD.
cd C:\test
If the directory or path name contains spaces, it’s recommended to use quotes around the directory. For example, the command below will change the directory to “C:\New folder” in CMD.
cd "C:\New Folder"
To change the current directory to a different drive in CMD, simply enter the drive letter. For example, the command below will change to D: drive.
d:
Tip: To view a list of all folders (sub-directories) in the current directory in CMD, enter “dir” in Command Prompt.
dir
Can’t change directory in CMD
If the CD command does not work to change directory or drive in CMD, it is because CD is usually used for changing directory in the same drive. If you want to change the directory to a different drive, for example, from C: to D: drive, just type D: in the command prompt.
D:
After changing the drive, you can then continue using the CD command to change the directory in that drive in CMD.
Alternatively, you can force use CD with a switch “/d” to tell the command prompt you are switching to another drive using the CD command. For example, the command below will change from any directory or drive to “D:\folder\sample” using CD command.
cd /d d:\folder\sample
The system cannot find the path specified error in CMD
Note that if the directory you are changing to does not exist, command prompt will return an error that says “The system cannot find the path specified“. Check the path name and try again.
Unable to change directory in CMD because “Access is denied”
If you receive the “Access is denied” error when you try to CD to a directory, it means that you do not have the privileges required to access the folder or directory. If you are an administrator in the system and you do own the folder, take ownership of the folder and try again. Read: How to Take Ownership of a File, Folder or Drive in Windows 11.
Change default directory in CMD on Windows 11
By default, if you open Command Prompt from the Start menu or Run window, it will usually open in your Windows profile directory which is something like C:\users\alvin. Or, if you run CMD as administrator, it will always start in C:\Windows\system32.
There is no setting that allows you to change the default directory if you start CMD from Start or Run. However, there is a workaround to force CMD to start in any directory you want it to. You can create a shortcut pointing to cmd.exe and configure the Start in field to any directory you want the command prompt to start in. Here’s how to do it.
First, right-click anywhere on the desktop and select New > Shortcut to create a shortcut.
In the Create Shortcut wizard, enter the path to cmd.exe, in most cases, it should be in “C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe“. Change the C: drive if your Windows is installed on a different drive. Click Next to continue. Give your shortcut any name you like and click Finish to complete the wizard.
Next, right-click the newly created shortcut and select Properties. Then, go to the Shortcut tab. In the Start in field, enter the default directory where you want CMD to start in when you open this shortcut. Click OK to save the changes.
Whenever you open CMD through this shortcut, Command Prompt will automatically start in the directory you’ve entered in the “Start in” field earlier.
To change the current drive in Windows Command Prompt, simply type the drive letter followed by a colon and press Enter.
D:
Understanding CMD Commands
What is CMD?
CMD, or Command Prompt, is a command-line interpreter in Windows operating systems that allows users to execute commands for various tasks, such as file manipulation, system configuration, network management, and program execution. It serves as a powerful tool for users seeking to perform advanced processes without relying on the graphical user interface (GUI).
Basic Structure of CMD Commands
Understanding the basic structure of CMD commands is crucial for efficient usage. Commands typically consist of the command itself, options (if any), and parameters. The syntax is sensitive to spacing and formatting, making it essential to adhere strictly to the rules. For instance, if you forget a space or misplace a directory path, you may encounter errors when trying to run your commands.
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How to Change Drive in CMD
Switching Between Drives
One of the primary functions in CMD is the ability to switch between different drives. This feature is especially useful in systems with multiple drives or partitions, allowing you to easily navigate your file structure.
To switch to a different drive, simply type the drive letter followed by a colon and then hit Enter. For example, if you wish to switch from drive C: to drive D:, you would enter:
D:
This command will take you directly to the root of drive D:, allowing you to continue executing further commands.
Displaying Current Drive
Knowing which drive you are currently in is just as important as being able to switch drives. You can easily check your current drive and directory by executing the following command:
cd
This command will display the current working directory, which includes the drive letter and path.
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CMD Change Directory: The Essentials
What is Changing Directory?
Changing directories is essential for managing files effectively within CMD. When you change directories, you’re navigating to a different folder on your current drive, enabling you to access files and execute commands in that directory.
How to Change Directory in CMD
Using the `cd` Command
To change to a specific directory within the current drive, you’ll use the `cd` command (short for «change directory»). This command requires the path of the folder you wish to access.
Basic Syntax:
cd [directory_path]
Example Usage: If you want to change to a folder named ‘Documents’ located at the root of the current drive, you would write:
cd \Documents
This command effectively navigates you into the Documents folder.
Going Back One Directory Level
If you need to move back one level in the directory structure, use the following command:
cd ..
This command will take you up to the parent directory, allowing you to navigate back through your folder hierarchy. Understanding this concept is particularly useful when you’re nested deeply within a directory.
Changing Directory with Full Path
When dealing with more complex file structures, you may need to specify the full path to change directories. This approach is useful if the directory is on the same drive or even on a different one.
For example, to navigate directly to a folder named ‘Projects’ located in ‘D:\MyFiles’, you would execute:
cd D:\MyFiles\Projects
Here, each part of the command is significant; it specifies exactly where in the file system you want to navigate.
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Combining Drive and Directory Change
CMD allows you to change both the drive and the directory in one command, making navigation even quicker. The `/d` switch enables you to switch to a different drive while also specifying a directory.
Example Command:
cd /d D:\NewFolder
In this case, the command not only switches to the D: drive but also navigates directly into the ‘NewFolder’ directory. Using this technique can save time, especially when working on extensive projects.
Utilizing Environment Variables
Environment variables are a powerful way to create flexible commands in CMD. These variables can dynamically point to specific directories or settings, adapting to different user profiles or configurations.
For instance, if you want to navigate to your Documents folder, you can use the following command:
cd %USERPROFILE%\Documents
This command automatically directs you to the Documents folder of the currently logged-in user, regardless of the specific username or system setup. This versatility is invaluable for scripting and automation.
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Troubleshooting Common Issues
Error Messages
As you work with CMD, you may encounter various error messages when changing drives or directories. Common errors include «The system cannot find the path specified» or «Access is denied.»
Understand that paths must be exact, and any discrepancies will result in these errors. Double-check the spelling and directory structure if you face such issues.
Permissions Issues
Sometimes, you may encounter permissions issues, especially when attempting to navigate to system directories or other users’ files. When running into such errors, consider:
- Running CMD as Administrator: Right-click on Command Prompt and select «Run as administrator.»
- File Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the directory in question.
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Conclusion
Mastering how to change drives and directories via CMD is essential for efficient file management in Windows. With the commands and techniques discussed in this guide, you will be able to navigate your file system more effectively, enhancing your overall productivity. Practice these commands regularly to build your confidence and improve your skills. Consider joining our community for more tips and further insights into CMD usage.
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Additional Resources
For further reading and hands-on practices, explore tutorials and video resources aimed at CMD proficiency. Understanding these basic commands can pave the way to more advanced command-line skills in the future.
Last Updated :
30 Sep, 2020
Cd is the abbreviation or synonym for chdir. It is a command found inside the Windows Command Processor (cmd) that allows for change of the current working directory of a shell instance. The CWD (Current Working Directory) is a path (of a directory) inside the file system, where the shell is currently working. The current working directory is essential for resolving relative paths. Cd is a generic command found in the Command Interpreter of most operating systems.
Description of the Command :
Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHDIR [/D] [drive:][path] CHDIR [..] CD [/D] [drive:][path] CD [..] .. Specifies that you want to change to the parent directory.
Type CD drive: to display the current directory in the specified drive.
Type CD without parameters to display the current drive and directory.
Use the /D switch to change the current drive in addition to changing the current directory for a drive.
- Some of the output is truncated due to its large length.
- In order to obtain the above text execute the cd /? command on cmd.
- It should be noted that chdir is an alias for cd, and therefore can be replaced for all of its occurrences.
Using the Command :
- Displaying the Current Working Directory :
Displaying the current working directory is not generally not required on cmd. This is because the default prompt in cmd displays the Current drive and path (CWD) along with the greater than sign ( > ) at all times ($P$G code). But for the sake of completeness, we would be describing it as well. To display the Current Working Directory, execute the cd command without any arguments.Syntax :
cd
Apparent from the above output, it is not necessary for us to print the cwd as it is already being displayed by the prompt. Throughout the article, we will be using C:\Users as our CWD.
- Changing the CWD :
We can change the Current Working Directory to different paths in the system. The following are the options –1. To a Directory of Current Drive :
To change the working directory, execute command cd followed by an absolute or relative path of the directory you are wanting to become the CWD. Where the path should qualify the following criteria –- The Path should be of a Directory.
- The Directory should be existing.
- Path can be absolute or relative. If a relative path is used, then the path should be relative to the CWD.
Syntax :
cd [Path]
2. To a Directory of Another Drive :
To change the working directory to another drive, execute command cd /D followed by a path to a directory. The path should qualify the following criteria –- The path should be absolute.
- The path should contain the drive letter followed by a drive qualifier (DRIVE_LETTER & COLON).
Syntax :
cd /d [Path]
3. An additional way to change the CWD to another drive without the usage of the cd command is to execute the drive letter followed by a colon.
Syntax :
(Drive_Letter):
