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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Enable Directory Completion (Windows 2000/XP)
Category: Home > Windows > Accessories > Command Processor

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Directory completion allows you to specify a key, that when pressed, completes the remainder of a directory name, you can press the key multiple times to scroll through the choices.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'PathCompletionChar' and set it to equal the hex value of the required control character. For example to use the TAB key set the value to '9', to use Ctrl-D set the value to '4' and for Ctrl-F set the value to '6'.

Now when you are using a command prompt and type the first part of a directory name then press the specified key, Windows will complete the remainder of the path for you.

Registry Editor Example
|NameTypeData|
|(Default)REG_SZ(value not set)|
|PathCompletionCharREG_DWORD0x00000009 (9)|
-
|HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor|
-

Settings:
User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor]
Name: PathCompletionChar
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: Hex Control Character

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Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: August 5, 2002

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