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Tech Tips / Windows NT / Tools and Tasks

Command-line happy!

Here's a cool shortcut for the command-line happy. In the registry, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor and add or modify the value CompletionChar of data type REG_DWORD with a data value of 9. The data value (9) is the ASCII value for the [Tab] key (but you can easily change it to any other keyboard key).

Now, when you enter a command, you just need to type in part of the file or directory name and then press [Tab]. Windows NT will automatically complete the file or directory name. For example, if you enter CD C:\ Prog and then press [Tab], Windows NT will complete the case directory name to CD C:\Program Files.

If more than one file or directory matches the partial name, you can browse the retrieved list by pressing [Tab] several times. For example, suppose you type Back and the filename C:\Backup appears, but you want the file C:\Backup1 instead. Just keep pressing [Tab] until that filename appears. This procedure is especially useful for long filenames and filenames containing spaces.

Note: As always, we'll remind you that editing your registry can be risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before you begin.