How To “PowerShell Open File” and Manage them Using Command Prompt

Navigating through folders and files in Windows typically involves a graphical user interface (GUI) like Windows Explorer. However, sometimes, you might need to use a more powerful tool like Command Prompt or PowerShell.

These can be invaluable for advanced tasks, automating processes, or troubleshooting. This guide offers a comprehensive look at opening folders and files using Command Prompt, PowerShell, Explorer, and more on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Microsoft’s PowerShell is more than just a command-line shell. It’s a scripting environment that allows users to automate tasks, manage files, and perform advanced system functions.

But how do you harness this power when it comes to opening, reading, and executing files? Let’s deep dive into the intricacies of using PowerShell to manage and open files.

What is PowerShell Open File?

“PowerShell Open File” refers to the capability of the PowerShell environment to access, read, or execute files within the system. This encompasses simple text files, scripts, and more complex file types.

Opening Folders Using Command Prompt and PowerShell

Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a Windows command-line interpreter application available in most versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. To open a folder using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the search bar and selecting the application.
2. Navigate to the desired folder using the cd (Change Directory) command followed by the folder’s path. For example, to change to a folder named ‘Documents’ on the C drive, type cd C:\Documents and press enter.

PowerShell

PowerShell is a more powerful command-line shell and scripting language than Command Prompt. It is integrated with the .NET Framework, providing a myriad of functionalities. To open a folder using PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell by typing PowerShell into the search bar and selecting the application.
2. Similarly to Command Prompt, you can use the cd command to navigate to a folder. For example, cd C:\Documents.

Opening Files Using Command Prompt and PowerShell

Command Prompt

To open a file using Command Prompt:

1. Navigate to the folder containing the file using the cd command.
2. Type the name of the file with its extension and press enter. For instance, to open a file named ‘example.txt’, type example.txt and press enter.

PowerShell

To open a file using PowerShell:

1. Navigate to the folder containing the file using the cd command.
2. Type Invoke-Item filename.extension and press enter. Replace ‘filename.extension’ with your file’s name and extension.

Opening Folders and Files Using Explorer

Explorer, also known as File Explorer or Windows Explorer, provides a GUI for accessing the file system. To open a folder or a file, navigate through the directory tree in the left pane or double-click on folders in the right pane to move through directories. To open a file, simply double-click it.

Using the Open Dialog for Writing and Notepad

The Open dialog is commonly used in applications like Notepad for opening files. To open a file in Notepad:

1. Open Notepad by typing Notepad into the search bar and selecting the application.
2. Click on ‘File’ in the menu, then ‘Open’.
3. Navigate to the desired file in the Open dialog, select it, and click ‘Open’.

This file is now open for writing in Notepad.

Closing an Open File

Closing an open file depends on the application used to open it. In most applications, including Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Notepad, you can close an open file by closing the application itself, or in the case of Notepad or similar applications, by clicking ‘File’ > ‘Close’.

How Do I Run a File in PowerShell?

To run a script file in PowerShell:

1. Launch PowerShell.
2. Navigate to the directory where your file resides using the cd (Change Directory) command. E.g., cd C:\Users\YourName\Documents.
3. To execute the script, type .\filename.ps1 and press Enter. Replace filename.ps1 with the actual name of your script.

How Do I Open File Manager in PowerShell?

You can open the File Explorer or File Manager from PowerShell using a straightforward command:

This command will open File Explorer at your current location in PowerShell.

How Do I Run a File by Path in PowerShell?

If you know the full path of the script or file you want to run, you can execute it directly without navigating to its directory:

Ensure the path is inside single quotes, especially if it contains spaces.

How to Read a TXT File in Shell Script?

In PowerShell, reading the content of a text file is simple:

This command will display the contents of file.txt on the screen.

If you’re referring to a UNIX-like shell script (bash, sh, etc.), you can use the cat command:

Is PowerShell Open File Safe?

PowerShell’s capability to open and execute files is inherently safe. However, the safety depends on the nature of the files you’re working with:

• Script Source: Always ensure scripts you run come from trustworthy sources. Malicious scripts can cause damage, steal data, or compromise your system.
• Execution Policy: By default, PowerShell has an execution policy that prevents scripts from running without your explicit permission. You can check the current policy with Get-ExecutionPolicy and set it with Set-ExecutionPolicy. Be cautious about setting it to unrestricted modes.
• Administrator Mode: Running PowerShell as an administrator gives scripts elevated privileges. Only do this when necessary and with trusted scripts.
• Stay Updated: Ensure PowerShell and your OS have the latest security patches to prevent any known vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Explorer offer various ways to navigate the file system on Windows 10 and Windows 11. These tools can provide a powerful alternative to the typical GUI approach, enabling advanced users to automate tasks, manage files efficiently, or troubleshoot issues.

Whether you’re opening a folder for exploration, opening a file for viewing, or even launching a dialog for writing in Notepad, these tools can provide the control you need for effective file management.