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I'm just curious about this:

It's possible to create a Folder, in Windows Explorer, with the same Name as an Environment Variable (like %ProgramData%).

The same procedure in CMD.exe with mkdir prevents this and if i try to access this folder, i always get re-directed to the Environment Variable.

But is there any known way to access this kind of Folder with the command-line?

Are there any escape parameters for this, to prevent resolving the variable?

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2 Answers 2

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For accessing the directory (via cd), you could use the console's character replacement (aka wildcards), and replace one of (or both) the percent signs with a question mark. e.g.:

  • cd ?ProgramData%
  • cd %ProgramData?
  • cd ?ProgramData?

Alternatively, and for use with other commands like rename, md and such, you can escape the percentage with a caret (^). e.g:

  • md ^%ProgramData^%
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  • This works, so far. But for mkdir and rename, this is no solution. :/
    – Smartis has left SO again
    Sep 8, 2016 at 13:50
  • I assumed that when you asked about "Accessing" the folder, that you meant you wanted to navigate into the folder.
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 8, 2016 at 13:53
  • No problem; it was an interesting question. :)
    – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007
    Sep 8, 2016 at 14:00
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I was able to mkdir with

mkdir "%test%"

and then navigate to it with

cd "%test%"

Also works with rename

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    Is %test% a resolvable Environment Variable on your System?
    – Smartis has left SO again
    Sep 8, 2016 at 13:56
  • oh, good question. I'll set it and try that again.
    – J E Carter II
    Sep 8, 2016 at 13:57
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    Interesting. test is equal to value. When I mkdir "%test%" I get a directory named value. Should have seen that coming. hehe
    – J E Carter II
    Sep 8, 2016 at 13:59

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