How To Change Directory In Powershell

In Powershell, you may run automation scripts from particular folders or carry out particular duties in several file areas. However, it opens within the person account folder by default, and the Elevated model of it opens within the System32 folder.

So, to make use of the complete extent of PowerShell, you will want to vary directories and be capable to navigate them. To accomplish that, you may both use the built-in cmdlet made to navigate your present working listing (CWD) or its aliases like cd, sl, or chdir.

Change Directory Using Absolute Path

You can simply change your present working listing in PowerShell through the use of the Set-location cmdlet. Its syntax is Set-location “absolute file path”.

The “absolute file path” refers back to the full file location of the actual folder you’re attempting to navigate in direction of. For instance, the Set-location “C:WindowsTemp” will change your CWD to the Temp folder.

If you don’t know the way to get the complete file path of a selected folder, you may right-click that particular folder in File Explorer and choose Copy as path. Then, you may merely put the Set-location cmdlet and paste your copied file path into Powershell.

Additionally, the double citation marks enclosing the “absolute file path” isn’t obligatory. It is just mandatory to surround them inside double citation marks in case your file path incorporates areas. For instance, Set-location “D:Adobe Photoshopconfig files”.

Change Directory Using Relative Path

Changing the listing using relative file path additionally makes use of the identical Set-location cmdlet, however you received’t must enter the complete file path of a folder. In a nutshell, it’s merely altering to a subfolder from a folder you’re already in.

For instance, your present working listing is C:Windows and also you wish to get to the C:WindowsTemp folder. In such instances, as an alternative of using the above methodology, you need to use the Set-location cmdlet with the relative file path. The command ought to appear like this: Set-location Temp

Furthermore, you may keep including more subfolders within the relative file path to navigate to the subfolder’s subfolder, and so forth. For instance, Set-location TempCrashpadreports. (Make positive so as to add quotations in the event that they include areas.)

Additionally, should you don’t keep in mind the title of the subfolder you wish to navigate to, you need to use the dir cmdlet alias to view all of the information and folders current in your CWD. 

Change to Parent Folder in PowerShell

Using the Set-location cmdlet, you may also return to the mum or dad folder of a listing you’re at present in. For instance, should you’re in C:WindowsTemp, and also you wish to navigate back to C:Windows, you need to use the Set-location .. command to straight return to C:Windows.

Also, if you wish to bounce back to the basis folder of your present working listing, you need to use the Set-location command. For instance, in case your CWD is C:WindowsTempCrashpadreports, this command will straight take you to C:.

Set-location Aliases

You may also use Set-location aliases as an alternative of the complete Set-location cmdlet. A cmdlet alias is mainly a shortened model of a cmdlet that performs the identical perform as the unique cmdlet. The Set-location cmdlet has three aliases—cd, sl, and chdir.

You can use any of the three aliases as an alternative of the particular cmdlet. The syntax for using the three aliases in any situation is identical as Set-location.

However, the cd alias does differ barely in comparison with Set-location and its different aliases. When using the cd alias, you received’t want areas when navigating back to the mum or dad or root folder. For instance, cd.. and cd will work completely effective, however Set location.. And Set-location received’t work.

Lastly, you may also bounce on to a selected listing in PowerShell from File Explorer. All you might want to do is to navigate to that folder in File Explorer and enter powershell within the handle bar.