How to start/open a file/folder that contains space in its name through command-line?

up vote
21
down vote

favorite

I'm trying to use the start command in the command prompt to open files and folders, but I'm unable to open files and folders that contain space(s) in their name.

I have tried the following queries (testing on C:Program Files):

start C:Program Files

start C:/Program Files

start C:/"Program Files"

start C:"Program Files"

start "C:Program Files"

start "C:/Program Files"

start C:/Program_Files

start C:/Program%20Files

But none of them work.

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

4

Not strictly speaking the answer you're looking for (hence posted as a comment), but start c:progra~1 will do the trick.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:21

add a comment |

up vote
21
down vote

favorite

I'm trying to use the start command in the command prompt to open files and folders, but I'm unable to open files and folders that contain space(s) in their name.

I have tried the following queries (testing on C:Program Files):

start C:Program Files

start C:/Program Files

start C:/"Program Files"

start C:"Program Files"

start "C:Program Files"

start "C:/Program Files"

start C:/Program_Files

start C:/Program%20Files

But none of them work.

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

4

Not strictly speaking the answer you're looking for (hence posted as a comment), but start c:progra~1 will do the trick.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:21

add a comment |

up vote
21
down vote

favorite

I'm trying to use the start command in the command prompt to open files and folders, but I'm unable to open files and folders that contain space(s) in their name.

I have tried the following queries (testing on C:Program Files):

start C:Program Files

start C:/Program Files

start C:/"Program Files"

start C:"Program Files"

start "C:Program Files"

start "C:/Program Files"

start C:/Program_Files

start C:/Program%20Files

But none of them work.

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

I'm trying to use the start command in the command prompt to open files and folders, but I'm unable to open files and folders that contain space(s) in their name.

I have tried the following queries (testing on C:Program Files):

start C:Program Files

start C:/Program Files

start C:/"Program Files"

start C:"Program Files"

start "C:Program Files"

start "C:/Program Files"

start C:/Program_Files

start C:/Program%20Files

But none of them work.

windows command-line path filenames whitespace

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

asked Nov 27 '12 at 20:18

amiregelz

5,570103752

4

Not strictly speaking the answer you're looking for (hence posted as a comment), but start c:progra~1 will do the trick.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:21

add a comment |

4

Not strictly speaking the answer you're looking for (hence posted as a comment), but start c:progra~1 will do the trick.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:21

Not strictly speaking the answer you're looking for (hence posted as a comment), but start c:progra~1 will do the trick.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:21

add a comment |

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

up vote
22
down vote

accepted

You would use:

start "" "c:program files"

That is because the first parameter is used as the title of the window, and is oddly enough, enclosed in double quotes.

Edit:

Here is a source about it: SS64

As an example, if you just type start "title" it opens a new cmd window with the title "title" in the title bar.

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

3

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

1

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

3

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

2

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

|
show 3 more comments

up vote
12
down vote

Do you specifically need to use start?

You can use explorer "c:program files" to give you the effect you are looking for.

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

1

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

2

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

1

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

If you are already in the current directory, you could always do this.

C:>cd "C:Program Files"



C:Program Files>start .



C:Program Files>

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

Type cd space and press Tab it will give you the directory items list, simple.

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

add a comment |

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4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

up vote
22
down vote

accepted

You would use:

start "" "c:program files"

That is because the first parameter is used as the title of the window, and is oddly enough, enclosed in double quotes.

Edit:

Here is a source about it: SS64

As an example, if you just type start "title" it opens a new cmd window with the title "title" in the title bar.

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

3

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

1

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

3

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

2

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

|
show 3 more comments

up vote
22
down vote

accepted

You would use:

start "" "c:program files"

That is because the first parameter is used as the title of the window, and is oddly enough, enclosed in double quotes.

Edit:

Here is a source about it: SS64

As an example, if you just type start "title" it opens a new cmd window with the title "title" in the title bar.

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

3

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

1

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

3

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

2

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

|
show 3 more comments

up vote
22
down vote

accepted

You would use:

start "" "c:program files"

That is because the first parameter is used as the title of the window, and is oddly enough, enclosed in double quotes.

Edit:

Here is a source about it: SS64

As an example, if you just type start "title" it opens a new cmd window with the title "title" in the title bar.

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

You would use:

start "" "c:program files"

That is because the first parameter is used as the title of the window, and is oddly enough, enclosed in double quotes.

Edit:

Here is a source about it: SS64

As an example, if you just type start "title" it opens a new cmd window with the title "title" in the title bar.

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

edited Nov 27 '12 at 20:29

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:23

nerdwaller

12k12739

3

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

1

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

3

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

2

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

|
show 3 more comments

3

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

1

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

3

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

2

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

What's with the empty one?
– Cole Johnson
Nov 27 '12 at 20:25

+1; interesting, would love to know how this works?
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:26

It's a title for the window, the parameter is enclosed in double quotes for some stupid reason. I rarely use Windows, especially when they do this stuff that makes little sense to me. In linux the CLI would be -t or whatever for title.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:27

Wow, trust who else but Microsoft to come up with something like that!
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:28

Yes, it is obvious why quotations are needed. However, why that is not an optional parameter is not. That's the question.
– nerdwaller
Nov 28 '12 at 1:08

|
show 3 more comments

up vote
12
down vote

Do you specifically need to use start?

You can use explorer "c:program files" to give you the effect you are looking for.

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

1

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

2

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

1

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Do you specifically need to use start?

You can use explorer "c:program files" to give you the effect you are looking for.

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

1

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

2

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

1

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

add a comment |

up vote
12
down vote

Do you specifically need to use start?

You can use explorer "c:program files" to give you the effect you are looking for.

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

Do you specifically need to use start?

You can use explorer "c:program files" to give you the effect you are looking for.

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

answered Nov 27 '12 at 20:24

Bryan

1,32321635

1

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

2

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

1

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

add a comment |

1

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

2

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

1

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

Didn't know about this one. Is there any difference between start and explorer?
– amiregelz
Nov 27 '12 at 20:38

Start is built to run a command through, so it would build a window and run a script. Explorer opens explorer, plain and simple.
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:40

This article details some command line switches (work on Win 7, despite it specifying Win XP) that do funky things, such as open an explorer window and highlight a specific file, e.g. explorer /select,c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:42

@nerdwaller, explorer, will also launch an app, e.g. explorer c:WindowsSystem32calc.exe.
– Bryan
Nov 27 '12 at 20:43

I apologize for omitting that. Documents and such as well explorer Documentsexample.xlsx Thank you for pointing it out! I always wonder how people can work in the normal CMD, after working through the linux terminal... Haha. Autocomplete is a joke for commands...!
– nerdwaller
Nov 27 '12 at 20:45

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

If you are already in the current directory, you could always do this.

C:>cd "C:Program Files"



C:Program Files>start .



C:Program Files>

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

If you are already in the current directory, you could always do this.

C:>cd "C:Program Files"



C:Program Files>start .



C:Program Files>

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

If you are already in the current directory, you could always do this.

C:>cd "C:Program Files"



C:Program Files>start .



C:Program Files>

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

If you are already in the current directory, you could always do this.

C:>cd "C:Program Files"



C:Program Files>start .



C:Program Files>

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

answered Dec 3 '12 at 18:45

dmcgill50

248314

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

Type cd space and press Tab it will give you the directory items list, simple.

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

Type cd space and press Tab it will give you the directory items list, simple.

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

add a comment |

up vote
0
down vote

Type cd space and press Tab it will give you the directory items list, simple.

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

Type cd space and press Tab it will give you the directory items list, simple.

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

edited Dec 27 '12 at 12:53

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

answered Dec 27 '12 at 12:04

vishal sharma

1171210

add a comment |

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