Windows 7: Use of free form file names in Command Prompt

Can someone advise me how to specify files names that contains a space, e.g.



the name "this file" in Command Prompt.

I tried using " and ' to quote the file name, but none works

Thanks

Welcome ffrree, long file names with embedded spaces require a full set of quotes
starting and ending with no spaces at the front or end.

cmd "xxx readme.exe"
if this was an executable.

or
c:\> copy "file1 stuff.doc" "rrr is a file name.doc"

will work
notice the starting and ending quotes.

Rich

ffrree,

Actually, in win 7 we do have a couple of changes.

As an example, go to a cmd prompt and type help cd

Here is part of what your will see:

If Command Extensions are enabled CHDIR changes as follows:

The current directory string is converted to use the same case as
the on disk names. So CD C:\TEMP would actually set the current
directory to C:\Temp if that is the case on disk.

CHDIR command does not treat spaces as delimiters, so it is possible to
CD into a subdirectory name that contains a space without surrounding
the name with quotes. For example:

cd \winnt\profiles\username\programs\start menu

is the same as:

cd "\winnt\profiles\username\programs\start menu"

which is what you would have to type if extensions were disabled.

Try it out by doing a
cd \program files

===============================

now what is the specific example which is giving you problems?

There are some differences depending on which command line interpreter you are using. You can check the way your system behave by using the Tab key to fill in the rest of the file name (i.e. change your working directory to C:\ and type P then press the Tab key, or type D and press the tab key: the system will type the rest of the file (or folder) name automatically provided the name is unique). Do it once and you will know for sure.

On my PC I actively use two different prompts - the Windows command prompt and also the bash shell (powered by Cygwin). As you can see from the screnshot, the two handle spaces in the file names rather
differently.