How to get and change the current directory of the file system in Windows PowerShell?

You can use the following cmdlets to get or change the current directory in a file system:

"Get-Location" cmdlet (or "pwd" alias) returns an object that represents the current directory, much like the pwd (print working directory) command.

"Set-Location" cmdlet (or "cd" alias) sets the working location to a specified directory in a file system.

"Push-Location" cmdlet adds ("pushes") the current location onto a location stack. If you specify a path, Push-Location pushes the current location onto a location stack and then changes the current location to the location specified by the path. You can use the Pop-Location cmdlet to get locations from the location stack.

"Pop-Location" cmdlet changes the current location to the location most recently pushed onto the stack by using the Push-Location cmdlet.

Here is a sample script on how to use cmdlets to manage the current location:

"I am here: "+(pwd)
Push-Location
Set-Location "C:\Windows\System32"
"Now I moved to: "+(Get-Location)
dir "*.hlp"
Pop-Location
"I am back: "+(pwd)

If you run the script, you will get:

PS C:\fyicenter> .\Test.ps1

I am here: C:\fyicenter
Now I moved to: C:\Windows\System32

    Directory: C:\Windows\System32


Mode                LastWriteTime     Length Name
----                -------------     ------ ----
-a---         6/10/2009   5:42 PM      10790 EDIT.HLP

I am back: C:\fyicenter

⇒ Get Directory Entries in Windows PowerShell

⇐ What Is File System in Windows PowerShell

⇑ Work with File System in Windows PowerShell

⇑⇑ Windows PowerShell Tutorials