Change directory in batch file with PowerShell

Question

I need to changed directory using batch file in PowerShell.

Let's say the batch file named go.bat has the two lines of code. And I'm in q: directory.

   c:
   cd c:\abc\def

When I run go.bat, I'm still in q:

Answer 1

While I agree that what you're doing should work, you can always try the Powershell cmdlet "set-location". It basically works the same way:

set-location c:\abc\def

Answer 2

When you run a batch file, PowerShell creates a CMD.EXE process to run the file. If you change the working directory inside the CMD.EXE process, it won't affect the current working directory of PowerShell. This is by design.

Answer 3

Just encountered this problem, I wanted to have a script for jumping to a directory which works in Powershell and CMD.

I could solve it by creating a script with the same name, one is a powershell script and the other a bat file:

Powershell

Set-Location C:\abc\def

Batch

cd C:\abc\def

Let us say the script is just called "def". If I type def in Powershell, it will run the ps1 version, if I type it in cmd, it will run the bat. You have to have duplicate files but you get to use the same named command between shells.

Answer 4

Have you checked that C:\abc\def exists?

On my machine starting from the E: drive

• C:
• cd C:\windows\system32

works perfectly fine

Answer 5

Try:

   cd /D c:\abc\def

Use the /D switch to change current drive in addition to changing current directory for a drive -- although I'm not sure why what you tried isn't working...

If the folder doesn't exist you'll get an error message:

The system cannot find the path specified.

You can view some help on the cd command by typing cd /?.

Answer 6

In batch you can’t change to UNC path for example:

cd \192.169.10.15\work_dir

In that case powershell can do it.