Changing Directory at Command Line

Windows XP

[madcat]

An easy one. No matter what I try, I cannot change to directories that have spaces in them like 'Documents and Settings'.

The Microsoft website says that at the C:\> you can type:
cd \file1\file2\file 3 or cd "\file1\file2\file 3" and have it work...but not for me yet.

Any help is appreciated!

[digitalv]

Strange that you wouldn't be able to use long file names in XP ... Try this:

cd\docume~1

Continue this process for your other directories as you go up, use the first 6 letters and ~1 at the end.

to go to "Administrator"'s desktop you would do:

cd\docume~1\admini~1\desktop

[madcat]

Thanks, that got me into the Documents and Settings folder. There is a directory within that folder...I need to change the name of that directory. It has multiple words, for i.e, 'This is the file name'.

I think I use the 'ren' command, but I only see examples using ren for changing a file name, can I use this to change a directory name.

Thanks again.

[madcat]

Somebody told me that changing the name of a directory in 'Documents and Settings' can cause alot or problems. A freind of mine who was fixing my CPU and re-installed XP for me was trying to be funny and named one of those folders something undesirable...so I either have to rename that folder or re-install XP again.

What would you suggest?

[Sanenet]

If it's one of the directories installed by windows, don't touch them. If you created it, no problem.

ren olddirname newdirname

You know, there's a great little app in windows called file explorer... :)

[madcat]

You know, there's a great little app in windows called file explorer...

From what I understand (and that's not much;)) you have to use 'ren' at the command line. You can't change the name of this folder like that...

[Sanenet]

Sigh... what ever happened to tradition? These new fangled colour LCD screens just aren't the same as those good old "flashing cursor on a green screen". Kids today!