Solved Cannot change directory (CD) to a directory with space in the name

[utnatw7f387]

Following the directions outlined in http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/144154-change-directory-command-prompt.html including enabling command extensions outlined in http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/41993-command-line.html does not permit the CD command to change the directory focus to a directory with a space in its name. I am trying to set the active directory prompt to C:\Users\Owner\My Documents. I can get to C:\Users\Owner but with command extensions enabled in administrator mode (CMD E:ON) the CD command will not accept My Documents as a valid directory name within Owner. The error I get is "The system cannot find the path specified." My goal is to get a directory tree (as a file) of the directories and files in My Documents with the DIR command when in that directory. The complete DOS line for that command would read C:\Users\Owner\My Documents>DIR /o:n /s > DirTreeList.txt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums utnatw7f387. I'm far from an expert, but will throw out something simple until the smart people see this. have you tried

C:\Users\Owner\My\ Documents>DIR /o:n /s > DirTreeList.txt

A Guy

 

[utnatw7f387]

Guy, I tried your suggestion just to see if the directory focus could be changed to My Documents, but I get the same error mentioned originally. Starting at C:> I can get to C:\Users\Owner> But the CD command cannot find the specified path when I try C:\Users\Owner>cd My\ Documents. Thank you for your suggestion, it was certainly worth a try. Freedom of wind in the face and ears a-flapping - Great sig.

 

[DavidE]

Try this command:
DIR C:\Users\Owner\Documents /o:n /s > DirTreeList.txt

 

[utnatw7f387]

Thank you David, that WORKED! I successfully got the directory list I was after. I will document this solution so I never lose it. Thanks again to you both. I have marked the problem as solved.

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome!
Glad you got it solved.

 

[A Guy]

Good one David. I considered that, but the whole library thing confuses me Glad you got it sorted utnatw7f387. A Guy

 

[utnatw7f387]

I checked and found this solution works for all User directories beginning with My. I also checked to see if it worked for User directory names like Saved Games, Start Menu, & Virtual Machines. In those cases, the full name with the space is accepted by the CD command. There is nothing quite as nice as consistency and adequate documentation of odd features, is there? I don't have a need for directory lists for system directories not related to a user, but it would be nice to know if this solution will work in those cases, too. Thanks again to both of you, you saved my day. Any further thoughts guys?

 

[DavidE]

The problem is with Win 7 "My Documents" is a Junction Point, and the directory (folder) name is Documents.
Yup, it makes it confusing because you see "My Documents" in Windows Explorer.
But, if you do a DIR command in a CMD window you will see "Documents" as the folder name in your User directory.

 

[utnatw7f387]

Thanks Dave, I think that clears this up quite a bit. In the meantime I checked some other directory names with spaces and the CD command accepts them all. I hate to keep asking questions, but are there other Junction Point situations other than those we see as My ...?
BTW are you aware of this odd but useful undocumented feature?
The "Include subfolders in search results..." switch in WE Tools > Folder Options > Search > How to search behaves differently for the two My Documents access points. Searches under Desktop > Libraries > Documents > My Documents always searches all sub-folders independent of this switch. That's probably a good idea for users who have no idea where their lost files might be. But, searches in C:\Users\Owner\Documents respond to the switch setting. That's kind of handy if you have a better idea of where your lost files might be located. Accident or deliberate, it's kind of a neat feature to know about.

 

[DavidE]

I'm not sure what other Junction Points there are that you might run into
Maybe one of the experts here will see this and have an answer...

I mainly use File Locator Lite for file searches, as it's easier for me and has always worked very well...
I do like the Start Search box for programs, and often use that.