How to set the Default Directory when CMD.exe

[spricks]

Hi,

I am used to launching DOS by:

1) clicking on START
2) click on RUN
3) type CMD, then <ENTER>

The command prompt opens by default on C:\DOCUMENTS AND
SETTINGS\SPRICKS. How can I change this to another
directory? I know you can use the "START IN" field in
its SHORTCUT. But I don't want to use the SHORTCUT.

Thanks
Spricks

 

[R. C. White]

Thank you, Sir_George. And Thanks, spricks, for asking the question.

Maybe I can add a tidbit out of gratitude:

Put the Command Prompt on your Desktop and in the Quick Launch toolbar.
Then set up a hotkey, perhaps Ctrl+Alt+M - for MS-DOS. Much quicker than
Start | Run | CMD <Enter>.

In Properties for the shortcut, mine is set to Run in a Normal window, with
Display Options (on the Options tab) set to Full screen, and Colors set to
my preference (Bright White on Blue). Now, no matter what I'm doing in
what program, Ctrl+Alt+M pops up the "DOS" window on my screen - and it
looks just like the DOS screen that I became so familiar with decades ago.
I feel right at home. To search for a file, for example, I can hit
Ctrl+Alt+M, then type dir *.ini /s /a and get a full listing of all such
files, even the hidden ones in subdirectories, much more quickly than by
firing up a Search window.

RC

 

[Remludar]

The Quick and Easy Answer to your actual question

You don't have to mess with regedit, and besides: you can really screw things up in there.

To change the default path of the cmd.exe (also works for the console for visual studio 2008 ) simply:

1. Create the shortcut as R.C.White described.
2. Right click the shortcut
3. Left click properties
4. Click in the field "Start In:"
5. Change the path to what you want.

Simple as that.


NEXT!