Drag and Drop For Easy Path Name Entry

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Drag and Drop For Easy Path Name Entry

Most Command Prompt commands require you, or have options, to specify full paths to files or folders, but typing out a long path can be frustrating, especially when you miss a character and have to start over.

For example, in Windows 10, the path to the Accessories group in my Start Menu is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories. Who wants to type that all in manually? I don't.

Fortunately there's a Command Prompt trick that makes this much easier: drag and drop.

Just navigate to the folder you want the path for in Windows Explorer. Once there, drag the folder or file to the Command Prompt window and let go. Like magic, the full path is inserted, saving you a considerable amount of typing depending on the length and complexity of the path name.

Note: Unfortunately, the drag and drop feature does not work in an elevated Command Prompt. At least you learned a few tricks back how to open one of those a bit quicker!