Post by drcard on May 3, 2020 10:06:48 GMT -5
Going thru my archives of tips and instructions for the book I'm creating I ran across this old tip that I don't think I've ever posted it. I use this a lot and forget that many users have never heard of it, so here you are.
Tab AutoComplete
Applies To: Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Overview:
Tab AutoComplete is a very powerful command used in a Command Prompt window that few command line users are aware of. Tab AutoComplete can go thru a complete list of all files and folders (one at a time) at the current prompt location. Tab AutoComplete can open files with a different application than the default application for that file type. What follows are instructions for how to use Tab AutoComplete, examples of how using Tab AutoComplete, and using Tab AutoComplete to open a file with a non-default application.
Tab AutoComplete
❗ The Tab AutoComplete command will only work in a Command Prompt window. The Command Prompt window does not have to be ran as an administrator for Tab AutoComplete to work.
1️⃣ Open a Command Prompt window (WinKey + R, type in cmd, and press Enter key).
2️⃣ Tab AutoComplete will work on the current folder indicated by the command prompt location. Example: For a Prompt location of C:\Users the Tab AutoComplete will show the files and folders of the Users folder. You will need to use the CD (change directory) command to move the prompt location to the folder you wish in order to see all the files and folders in that folder. Following my example above I would change the prompt location to the C:\Users folder with the following command at the prompt (replace the underscore {_} with a space):
cd_C:\Users
Replace C:\Users with the PATH to your folder (PATH must be in quotes if the PATH address has any spaces in the address). If you want to change the directory to another drive you have to use the change drive switch (/d) as follows: cd_/d_D:\Documents
3️⃣ Once the prompt location is at your folder you can use the TAB AutoComplete function. Tab AutoComplete is not a type in command, but a built-in command of the Command Prompt. To activate: press the Tab key when the cursor is at the prompt. The alphabetically first file or folder in that folder at the prompt will be listed at the prompt. Each time you press the Tab key the next file/folder, alphabetically, will display. Once all the files and folders displayed the list will start again.
Uses for Tab AutoComplete
☝ Tab AutoComplete will show all files and folders in a folder regardless of the attributes of the files or folders. This means that even hidden system files that don’t show in Explorer/File Explorer will show. Great way to find hidden malware files.
✌ You can start Tab AutoComplete anywhere in the alphabetical list of files/folder by entering the first letters of the name of the file/folder. Example: By typing H at the prompt and then pressing the Tab key will cause the first file/folder in the alphabetical list that starts with H to display and each Tab press will display the next file in the alphabetical order from that point. This helps you narrow your search for a file. If you have a file that you just can’t remember the file’s name but your know what folder it should be in and that the name started with a B…..at the command prompt for that folder type B followed by a space and press the Tab key to quickly view all the files/folders whose name starts with a B.
👌 If you press the Enter key when a file is displayed, that file will open using the default application for that file type.
✊ You can have Tab Autocomplete display only files of a specific file type using a wildcard at the prompt. Example: Entering *.jpg* followed by a space at the prompt. Pressing the Tab will display only the files with a .jpg file type one at a time and in alphabetical order. Great to find that one .jpg file in a sea of .png files.
🖐 You can use Tab AutoComplete to open a file using a different application from default application. The application must be able to handle the file type for the application to display the file properly. Example: Using NotePad to view a .jpg file will display meaningless symbols; however, using NotePad to display a .html file will display the HTML coding for that file. To have another application open a file: At the prompt for that folder, enter the name of the application follow by a space. Use Tab AutoComplete to cycle to that file and press the Enter key when the file displays.
There are other uses for Tab AutoComplete. Experiment and you’ll find a function that helps you in your endeavors.
Tab AutoComplete
Applies To: Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Overview:
Tab AutoComplete is a very powerful command used in a Command Prompt window that few command line users are aware of. Tab AutoComplete can go thru a complete list of all files and folders (one at a time) at the current prompt location. Tab AutoComplete can open files with a different application than the default application for that file type. What follows are instructions for how to use Tab AutoComplete, examples of how using Tab AutoComplete, and using Tab AutoComplete to open a file with a non-default application.
Tab AutoComplete
❗ The Tab AutoComplete command will only work in a Command Prompt window. The Command Prompt window does not have to be ran as an administrator for Tab AutoComplete to work.
1️⃣ Open a Command Prompt window (WinKey + R, type in cmd, and press Enter key).
2️⃣ Tab AutoComplete will work on the current folder indicated by the command prompt location. Example: For a Prompt location of C:\Users the Tab AutoComplete will show the files and folders of the Users folder. You will need to use the CD (change directory) command to move the prompt location to the folder you wish in order to see all the files and folders in that folder. Following my example above I would change the prompt location to the C:\Users folder with the following command at the prompt (replace the underscore {_} with a space):
cd_C:\Users
Replace C:\Users with the PATH to your folder (PATH must be in quotes if the PATH address has any spaces in the address). If you want to change the directory to another drive you have to use the change drive switch (/d) as follows: cd_/d_D:\Documents
3️⃣ Once the prompt location is at your folder you can use the TAB AutoComplete function. Tab AutoComplete is not a type in command, but a built-in command of the Command Prompt. To activate: press the Tab key when the cursor is at the prompt. The alphabetically first file or folder in that folder at the prompt will be listed at the prompt. Each time you press the Tab key the next file/folder, alphabetically, will display. Once all the files and folders displayed the list will start again.
Uses for Tab AutoComplete
☝ Tab AutoComplete will show all files and folders in a folder regardless of the attributes of the files or folders. This means that even hidden system files that don’t show in Explorer/File Explorer will show. Great way to find hidden malware files.
✌ You can start Tab AutoComplete anywhere in the alphabetical list of files/folder by entering the first letters of the name of the file/folder. Example: By typing H at the prompt and then pressing the Tab key will cause the first file/folder in the alphabetical list that starts with H to display and each Tab press will display the next file in the alphabetical order from that point. This helps you narrow your search for a file. If you have a file that you just can’t remember the file’s name but your know what folder it should be in and that the name started with a B…..at the command prompt for that folder type B followed by a space and press the Tab key to quickly view all the files/folders whose name starts with a B.
👌 If you press the Enter key when a file is displayed, that file will open using the default application for that file type.
✊ You can have Tab Autocomplete display only files of a specific file type using a wildcard at the prompt. Example: Entering *.jpg* followed by a space at the prompt. Pressing the Tab will display only the files with a .jpg file type one at a time and in alphabetical order. Great to find that one .jpg file in a sea of .png files.
🖐 You can use Tab AutoComplete to open a file using a different application from default application. The application must be able to handle the file type for the application to display the file properly. Example: Using NotePad to view a .jpg file will display meaningless symbols; however, using NotePad to display a .html file will display the HTML coding for that file. To have another application open a file: At the prompt for that folder, enter the name of the application follow by a space. Use Tab AutoComplete to cycle to that file and press the Enter key when the file displays.
There are other uses for Tab AutoComplete. Experiment and you’ll find a function that helps you in your endeavors.