up vote 5 down vote favorite
2
share [g+] share [fb]

I know that we can autocomplete paths in cmd prompt. I just wanted to know if we can autocomplete commands in cmd prompt like we do in bash.
Can we make it search through a list of builtin commands and all executable(exe,bat,cmd etc..) files in the %PATH% when tab is pressed?
Or is there a shell-like software that is having this feature?

link|improve this question
100% accept rate
1  
Only in the current directory ... – ldigas Feb 28 '10 at 18:37
feedback

1 Answer

up vote 4 down vote accepted

PromptPal

Highly configurable, and provides full Windows-style editing, command completion, command history, syntax help, a tabbed interface and much more.

Syntax Help: As soon as a command is recognized, PromptPal displays helpful information about its parameters, switches and effects in a resizeable toolbar.

Add You Own Commands: If you have command line utilities that aren't recognized by PromptPal, that's no problem - it's easy to add them to PromptPal's collection.

$29.99 - 30 days trial

alt text

PowerShell

The new command shell and extensible automation engine from Microsoft does autocomplete commands.

It's native in windows 7 and Server 2008 R2.

Win + R > powershell > Enter

To install it on other windows: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968929
And for more ressources about it: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/dd742419.aspx

Cygwin

A Linux-like environment for Windows. It consists of two parts:
  • A DLL (cygwin1.dll) which acts as a Linux API emulation layer providing substantial Linux API functionality.
  • A collection of tools which provide Linux look and feel.

And so, a bash shell that does autocomplete

There's also PowerCmd, It's a sort of GUI and not a shell replacement, so all the batch commands will be strictly the same. It extends visually the autocomplete feature (but as far as I know, only with commands in the active directory). And it's a shareware: $29.95

link|improve this answer
Are you sure that powershell autocompletes commands.. I just tried it it didnt work for me... Can we make it work in xp? Thanx.. – asdfg Feb 28 '10 at 18:57
@nsharish yes it does, and yes you can install it on xp, look at my updated answer – fluxtendu Feb 28 '10 at 19:04
Works for me here, I typed in 'disk' and hit tab and it cycled through a bunch of stuff that matched. – MrStatic Feb 28 '10 at 19:07
powershell doesn't accepts the same commands as the command prompt I think. – Jader Dias Feb 28 '10 at 19:15
Yes.. Its working fine for powershell builtin cmdlets.. Only after the word is typed upto the hyphen.. I am not used to powershell cmdlets yet.. Thanx for a useful answer – asdfg Feb 28 '10 at 19:30
show 3 more comments
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.