How to change current working directory using a batch file

Question

I need some help in writing a batch file. I have a path stored in a variable root as follows:

set root=D:\Work\Root

Then I am changing my working directory to this root as follows:

cd %root%

When I execute this batch file from anywhere on the D drive this is done successfully. But when I execute the same batch file from some other drive, cd %root% doesn't work.

Is there a way I can get the drive letter from the root variable? I can then change the current directory to this drive first and then cd %root% shall work.

score 189 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 28 '11 at 05:27

189

Specify /D to change the drive also.

CD /D %root%

answered Feb 28 '11 at 05:27

Andriy M

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Other answers say `\d` (lowercase) is there a difference between either? Is the option just case-insensitive? – josch Feb 28 '17 at 12:41
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@josch: Yes, if we are talking about CMD's internal commands, then switch parameters like `/D` above are case-insensitive (`/D` = `/d`), just like the commands themselves (`CD` = `cd`). I believe that is also true for all external Windows command-line utilities (like `FINDSTR`, `SORT` etc.) Third-party tools, on the other hand, can use case-sensitive parameters. – Andriy M Feb 28 '17 at 13:36
not worth an own answer, but you can `set "root=/d D:\Work\Root"` and `cd %root%` or even `set "root=cd /d D:\Work\Root"` and just `%root%` – Stephan Feb 25 '20 at 14:47

Gabe · Answer 2 · 2013-12-05T16:11:53.143

Just use cd /d %root% to switch driver letters and change directories.

Alternatively, use pushd %root% to switch drive letters when changing directories as well as storing the previous directory on a stack so you can use popd to switch back.

Note that pushd will also allow you to change directories to a network share. It will actually map a network drive for you, then unmap it when you execute the popd for that directory.

score 37 · Answer 3 · edited Nov 01 '22 at 23:09

37

Try this

chdir /d D:\Work\Root

edited Nov 01 '22 at 23:09

Ryan M

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answered Sep 12 '14 at 12:07

stingray_

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It should be noted that before and after directory, " should be put like this; chdir /d "D:\Work\Root" – Ad Infinitum Mar 16 '17 at 14:06
@AdInfinitum No that's not true, that's only necessary if there's spaces in the path. Just qouting the spaced words works as well, like `C:\"Program Files"\Something\Something` – Zimano Nov 24 '20 at 12:49

score 22 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 15 '19 at 15:51

22

A simpler syntax might be

pushd %root%

answered Jul 15 '19 at 15:51

NapkinBob

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score 5 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 01 '22 at 21:54

In my batch file I needed to :

Change dir to other directory
run commands in bat file -- do some work in that directory
change back to my original directory

pushd solved this with the help of popd

bat file example

pushd <my-working-directory>
do command
do other command
...

popd

popd moved me back to original directory.

How to change current working directory using a batch file

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