CompletionChar Entry
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
CompletionChar
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
| Data type | Range | Default value |
|---|---|---|
REG_DWORD |
0x0 | 0x1–0x1F | 0x20 |
0x9 (the TAB key) |
Description
Specifies a character that activates the filename completion feature in Command Processor (Cmd.exe).
To specify a character, enter the hexadecimal value of an ASCII control character other than 0x20 (space). For example, 0x4 represents Ctrl+D and 0x6 represents Ctrl+F.
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
0x0 |
Disables completion. |
0x1–0x1F |
Corresponding ASCII control character. |
0xD |
Disables completion. |
0x20 |
SPACEBAR. Disables completion. |
Change Method
You can change the value of this entry by using Command Processor (Cmd.exe), but only for the duration of that Cmd.exe's execution. For all other changes, you must edit the registry directly.
To enable or disable file name completion and directory name completion for one use of the command processor, at the command prompt, type CMD /F:ON (to enable) or CMD /F:OFF (to disable). This command sets the completion character to CTRL+F (0x6).
Activation Method
If you make changes to the value of this entry by editing the registry directly, you must restart Cmd.exe to make the changes effective.
Notes
CompletionChar can appear in HKLM and HKCU. If both appear in the registry, the value of the entry in HKCU takes precedence over the value in HKLM. The command-line switches take precedence over the registry settings while using Command Processor (Cmd.exe).
Assigning the values 0x0, 0xD, or 0x20 to this entry disables file name completion rather than assigning a completion character.
If you use the console Paste function to enter text into a CMD window, you might trigger completion if the characters you paste contain completion characters.
Tip
For more information about the file name completion feature, at the command prompt, type: CMD /?
The datatype of this entry can be either REG_DWORD or REG_SZ.