Ways to quickly input a filename into a command shell command

1

I need to input filenames into command prompt for commands. To date I either manually type the filenames or copy and paste by calling up the file's properties tab and copying the full name.

Here's a generic example:
move file_name_1.txt whatever_name_i_want.txt

So I need a method of quickly inputting this "file_name_1.text"

What are some other methods that could be used? I can use forfiles to display all the files in the folder, isn't there some kind of number calling I can substitute for the file I want or something short and easy. Like ideally a dnd, would require some other shell type which is fine, or some callup command I could use that could tie into things.

kite

Posted 2019-04-01T03:08:33.500

Reputation: 59

1Usually, tab completion helps. If there is a file called file_name_1.txt and you want to enter move file_name_1.txt, try typing move fil[tab]. – John1024 – 2019-04-01T04:55:04.033

Alternatively, consider use a command-line-friendly file manager like Midnight Commander. On a debian or Ubuntu-like system, install it via apt-get install mc.

– John1024 – 2019-04-01T04:57:16.077

It doesn't recognize move fil[tab], and im using the exact same filenames. move file_name_1.txt works fine. I don't know how to build Midnight Commander, and the windows binary is pretty sketchy looking. Is there a layman's guide to building such things? – kite – 2019-04-01T21:02:07.370

I opened a new question for the installation of MC: https://superuser.com/questions/1420164/how-to-build-midnight-commander-on-windows-8-1

– kite – 2019-04-01T21:11:11.623

I don't use Windows so I can't help with that. If mc is not readily available, there are probably some similar programs that are. Separately, if you want to become a command-line power user, as your question suggests, you might look at Ubuntu-for-Windows. Good luck. – John1024 – 2019-04-01T21:50:37.217

Hmm. I see from your other question that you are using Win8. I believe that Ubuntu-for-Windows requires Win10 so that's not a fit. – John1024 – 2019-04-02T04:44:17.680

No answers