How can I find the short path of a Windows directory/file?

Question

I need to use shortened path names for an application that I am using. For example I need C:\PROGRA~1\ as opposed to C:\Program Files. The program can't handle spaces and won't accept quoted paths e.g. "C:\Program Files".

If it helps, I am using Windows 7. I can get access to any version since XP if necessary.

Answer 1

Start, and type cmd in the run box. Start cmd, and use cd to get to the folder you are interested in:

cd \

Then

dir /x

C:\>dir /x

13/10/2011  09:14 AM    <DIR>          DOCUME~1     Documents and Settings
13/10/2011  09:05 AM    <DIR>          PROGRA~1     Program Files

Answer 2

The "short name" is really the old DOS 8.3 naming convention, so all the directories will be the first 6 letters followed by ~1 assuming there is only one name that matches, for example:

C:\ABCDEF~1 - C:\ABCDEFG I AM DIRECTORY
C:\BCDEFG~1 - C:\BCDEFGHIJKL M Another Directory

here is the only exception

C:\ABCDEF~1 - C:\ABCDEFG I AM DIRECTORY
C:\ABCDEF~2 - C:\ABCDEFGHI Directory as well