Command Processor\PathCompletionChar

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor

Data type Range Default value

REG_DWORD

0x0 | 0x1–0x1F | 0x20–0xFF

0x40 (Completion disabled)

Description

Specifies a character that activates the directory name completion in the command processor (Cmd.exe).

To specify a character, enter the hexadecimal value of an ASCII control character. For example, 0x4 represents CTRL+D and 0x6 represents CTRL+F. To disable the directory name completion, set the value of this entry to 0x0 or to a value greater than or equal to 0x20.

Value Meaning

0x0

Disables completion.

0x1–0x1F

Corresponding ASCII control character activates completion.

0x20 or greater

Disables completion.

Change Method

To change the completion character in Windows Server 2003, use the registry editor Regedit.exe. You can also change the value of this entry by using Cmd.exe, but only for the duration of that Cmd.exe's execution.

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.

Note

  • PathCompletionChar can appear in HKLM and HKCU. If both appear in the registry, then the value of the entry in HKCU takes precedence over the value in HKLM.

Tip

  • To enable or disable directory name completion for one use of Cmd.exe, at the command prompt, type CMD /F:ON (to enable) or CMD /F:OFF (to disable). This command sets the completion character to CTRL+D (0x4).

  • For more information about the path completion feature, at the command prompt, type CMD /?

See Also

Concepts

CompletionChar Entry
PathCompletionChar Entry