How to Open Files and Folders in CMD on Windows

Quick Tips

• Open CMD, enter cd followed by the folder path to change the directory to the folder you want to open.
• Enter start to open the folder after you change the directory.
• To open a file, change the directory, and then enter the file path to open the file.

How to Open a File Using Command Prompt on Windows

Here’s how you can easily open Command Prompt on your PC and use it to access a file. However, you must know the file’s path on your PC before proceeding with the steps.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt app from the start menu.

Step 2: Now, type cd, followed by folder path, and hit enter.

cd "folder_path"

To copy the path of any folder, right-click on the folder and click on ‘Copy as Path’. Our folder path here is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Desktop\Sample Folder”.

Note: Ensure to enter all the paths within double quotes.

Step 3: Next, enter the file name and its extension in double-quotes.

The name of the file we are using is “Sample Image” and its extension is “.png”.

Step 4: Hit the enter key, and the file will open.

Also Read: Create a folder or file from Windows Command Prompt

How to Open a Folder Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt app from the start menu.

Step 2: Now, type cd and paste the path of the folder you want to open. Once done, hit enter.

cd "folder_path"

To copy the path of any folder, right-click on the folder and click on ‘Copy as Path’. Our folder path here is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Desktop\Sample Folder”.

Note: Ensure to enter all the paths within double quotes.

Step 3: Next, enter the following command to open the folder on your PC. Hit the enter key.

start .

How to Delete Files Using CMD on Windows

You can also delete files using simple commands on CMD in Windows. However, this permanently deletes the file, so proceed with caution.

1. Delete Individual File

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt app from the start menu.

Step 2: Now, type cd, followed by the file’s path you want to delete. Hit the enter key.

cd "folder_path"

To copy the path of any folder, right-click on the folder and click on ‘Copy as Path’. Our folder path here is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Desktop\Sample Folder”.

Note: Ensure to enter all the paths within double quotes.

Step 3: Type del followed by the name of the file you want to delete. Hit the enter key.

Ensure to enter the filename and its extension within double quotes. The name and extension of the file we are using are “Sample Image” and “.png”.

2. Delete All Files Within a Folder

You can also permanently delete a folder’s contents at once using a single command. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt app from the start menu.

Step 2: Now, type del and paste the path of the folder whose contents you want to delete. Hit the enter key.

del "folder_path"

To copy the path of any folder, right-click on the folder and click on ‘Copy as Path’. Our folder path here is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Desktop\Sample Folder”.

Step 3: Type ‘Y’ to confirm your action or ‘N’ to abort the process and hit the enter key.

Also Read: How to view Command Prompt (CMD) history on Windows.

Bonus: Copy or Move Files to Different Locations Using CMD

You can also copy or move files from one destination to another on your Windows PC within CMD. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt from the start menu.

Step 2: Now, type cd and paste the path of the file you want to copy or move. Hit the enter key.

cd "folder_path"

To copy the path of any folder, right-click on the folder and click on ‘Copy as Path’. Our folder path here is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Desktop\Sample Folder”.

• To copy a file to a different location, type copy and the source file’s name and the destination folder’s path. Once done, press enter.

copy "filename.extension" "destination_path"

Our file is “Sample Image.png” and the destination path is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Documents”.

Note: Ensure to enter all the paths, the filename, and its extension within double quotes.

Note: If a file of the same name exists in the destination folder, you will receive a prompt whether you want to overwrite the file or abort the process. Type Y (yes) to overwrite or N (no) to abort, and hit enter.

• To move a file to a different location, type move, followed by the source file’s name and the destination folder’s path. Now, hit enter.

move "filename.extension" "destination_path"

Our file is “Sample Image.png” and the destination path is “C:\Users\rsupr\OneDrive\Documents”.

Note: Ensure to enter all the paths, the filename, and its extension within double quotes

Note: If a file of the same name exists in the destination folder, you will receive a prompt whether you want to overwrite the file or abort the process. Type Y (yes) to overwrite or N (no) to abort and hit enter key.

That is everything you need to know on how to open files and folders using CMD on Windows. If you have any further questions, move to the following section.

FAQs on Opening Files Using Command Prompt