Command line path completion seems to be randomly enabled or disabled depending on which version of Windows 2000 or XP you are using, according to Windows IT site IntelliAdmin. The author was convinced path completion was an XP-only feature until he found a familiar looking key while wading around in the Win 2K registry one day. Here’s how to enable path completion on the command line in Windows 2000 and XP:
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type regedit
- Press OK
- Browse to the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- SOFTWARE
- Microsoft
- Command Processor
- Change CompletionChar to 9
- Change PathCompletionChar to 9
- Close the Registry Editor
If you are unfamiliar with path completion, it is a very helpful feature on the command line (the DOS prompt, if you will). When you are typing the path to a file, you can press the TAB key to have operating system fill in the names of matching files and folders. Path completion saves a heck of a lot of time for people who frequently use the command prompt. For more information and screen shots, visit “Update the Windows Path Completion Feature” by IntelliAdmin.
