Add a command shortcut to Windows Explorer

[Rbreb13]

Add a command shortcut to Windows Explorer

If you spend a lot of time working from the command prompt window, you know how difficult it can be to move from one folder or directory to another by using the Change Directory (CD) command. It takes extra work to type long folder names on the command line, and if you make one typo, you have to start all over.

To make this task easier, Microsoft added the Open Command Window Here tool to the Windows XP PowerToys. Once you install the PowerToys, you can open a command prompt window from within Windows Explorer by right-clicking a folder and selecting Open Command Window Here from the shortcut menu.

Not everyone wants to install the entire XP PowerToys package just to get the Open Command Window Here shortcut. Fortunately, you can add this shortcut to Windows Explorer via a small registry edit. Here's how:

1. Launch the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\.

3. From the Edit menu, select New | Key, and name the new key cmd.

4. Double-click the Default value inside the cmd key.

5. Type Open Command Window Here in the Value Data text box and click OK.

6. Select the cmd key.

7. From the Edit menu, select New | Key, and name the new key command.

8. Double-click the Default value inside the command key.

9. Type cmd.exe /k "cd %L" in the Value Data text box and click OK.

10. Close the registry.

Note: Editing the registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before saving any changes.