How to list files in windows using command prompt (cmd). I've tried using ' ls ' as in Linux but it shows an error?

Question

When I tried to use list ls on a Windows command prompt, the system doesn't recognize it. I already added C:\Windows\System32 in the path.

Since this is the first Google hit for `ls windows`: for those who don't want to learn Windows commands, I downloaded the GnuWin32 [CoreUtils package](http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/coreutils.htm) and added the `bin` dir to my `PATH`. There are lots of other good gnu utils on that site. Cheers! — ipetrik, Nov 28 '17 at 21:30
`ls` is a Unix command, not Windows. But if you still want `ls` in Windows, you can download it from http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/ — , Apr 12 '18 at 04:00
Stack Overflow is for _programming_ questions. Trivial interactive use of a CLI is not programming. — tripleee, Apr 25 '21 at 07:18
Actually, ls is also Windows PowerShell command that try to mimic unix ls. — Ding-Yi Chen, Dec 09 '21 at 04:42

score 423 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 10 '17 at 20:35

423

Use the command dir to list all the directories and files in a directory; ls is a unix command.

answered Mar 10 '17 at 20:35

Manan Mehta

57

`echo @dir %* > %systemroot%\system32\ls.bat` will allow you to use `ls` instead of `dir`, similarly to an alias – Neil Jun 22 '18 at 23:27
3

it is possible to make `dir` dsplay text horizontally ? – Webwoman Sep 28 '18 at 13:06
this is helpful, just type dir in the cmd not the filename and dir. – CodeConnoisseur Dec 21 '18 at 00:51
@Webman, I was able to open dir horizontally when I opened it in the bash terminal rather than just the Windows CMD – CodeConnoisseur Dec 21 '18 at 00:52
5

@Webwoman To show text horizontally, you can use `dir /w`. – Louis Yang Jun 19 '20 at 22:27
and "ls -al" How does this work out in windows? – Tomás Tapia Barría Dec 11 '20 at 13:37
I did `echo @dir %* /OG /W > %systemroot%\system32\ls.bat`, so when I type `ls` it will display directory horizontally sorted by "folders first" – GooDeeJAY Jul 03 '21 at 18:53
Downvote it because Windows powershell actually have ls, just not cmd. – Ding-Yi Chen Dec 09 '21 at 04:44

1 Answers1