cmd | Dir command

The dir command is one of the most useful commands while navigating the command line, and is present in its different forms in several operating systems. In this article, we will look at the Dir command and learn several use cases for it.

What is the dir Command

dir command in Windows OS is a built-in function that allows the user to do the following task:

• View the contents of any directory
• Check file attributes (both hidden and read-only)
• Filter search results based on date or file type.

Basic Syntax

The general syntax of the dir command is:

dir [path] [options]

• Path: specifies the location
• Options: modifies to filter the output

1. List Files & Directories

This command is used to list all files and directories in the current one:

help dir

Output :

Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.

DIR [drive:][path][filename] [/A[[:]attributes]] [/B] [/C] [/D] [/L] [/N]
 [/O[[:]sortorder]] [/P] [/Q] [/R] [/S] [/T[[:]timefield]] [/W] [/X] [/4]

 [drive:][path][filename]
             Specifies drive, directory, and/or files to list.

 /A          Displays files with specified attributes.
 attributes   D  Directories                R  Read-only files
              H  Hidden files               A  Files ready for archiving
              S  System files               I  Not content indexed files
              L  Reparse Points             O  Offline files
              -  Prefix meaning not
 /B          Uses bare format (no heading information or summary).
 /C          Display the thousand separator in file sizes.  This is the
 .
 .

Usage explanation:

The command is mainly used for displaying the list of files and subdirectories in a directory. This could be done by executing the Dir command without any arguments.

Dir

Which would produce an output similar to this.

Output

Directory of C:\Users

09/26/2020  11:34 AM    <DIR>          .
09/26/2020  11:34 AM    <DIR>          ..
09/02/2020  07:07 PM             1, 000 applese
09/24/2020  08:59 PM    <DIR>          Public
10/20/2020  06:39 PM    <DIR>          Soap
              1 File(s)          1, 000 bytes
              4 Dir(s)  13, 879, 459, 840 bytes free

2. List Content of a Specific Directory

The output of the dir command in this enable users to specify a directory to view its contents. The syntax for this command is as follows:

Input

dir C:\Users\gfg19310\Documents

Output

Directory of C:\Users\gfg19310\Documents

20-03-2023  13:02    <DIR>          .
20-03-2023  13:02    <DIR>          ..
20-03-2023  13:02    <DIR>          Custom Office Templates

3. Show Hidden Files

Here, we will use /A option with the H attribute to include hidden files along with it. Here's the syntax:

Input

dir  /A:H

Output

07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          AppData
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Application Data [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Cookies [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Local Settings [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Local]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     My Documents [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Documents]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     NetHood [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
11-12-2024  05:46         3,670,016 NTUSER.DAT
07-06-2023  16:36           688,128 ntuser.dat.LOG1
07-06-2023  16:36         1,085,440 ntuser.dat.LOG2
02-01-2025  10:40         1,048,576 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.0.regtrans-ms
18-12-2024  09:56         1,048,576 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.1.regtrans-ms
18-12-2024  09:56         1,048,576 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.2.regtrans-ms
18-12-2024  09:56            65,536 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.blf
07-06-2023  16:36            65,536 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e88-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TM.blf
07-06-2023  16:36           524,288 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e88-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms
07-06-2023  16:36           524,288 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e88-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TMContainer00000000000000000002.regtrans-ms
07-06-2023  16:36                20 ntuser.ini
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     PrintHood [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Recent [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     SendTo [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Start Menu [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu]
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Templates [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates]

4. List Files with Specific Extensions

To display files with a specific extension (e.g., .txt): Here's a sample

Input

dir *.txt

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt

5. View Subdirectories

To include all subdirectories and their contents, use the following command:

Input

dir /S

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Saved Games

07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          .
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          ..
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Searches

07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          .
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          ..
08-11-2022  16:52               855 winrt--{S-1-5-21-1623517014-2252875782-278851815-1404}-.searchconnector-ms
07-06-2023  16:37               859 winrt--{S-1-5-21-2245693176-3959787992-2909979321-1244}-.searchconnector-ms
               2 File(s)          1,714 bytes

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Videos

07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          .
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          ..
26-12-2024  13:37    <DIR>          Captures
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Videos\Captures

26-12-2024  13:37    <DIR>          .
26-12-2024  13:37    <DIR>          ..
26-12-2024  13:37           185,053 File Explorer 26-12-2024 13_37_47.png
11-10-2023  15:51            23,668 Network Connections .png

6. Sort by Date, Size, or Name

We can fetch data based on date, size or name. Let's check them out:

By Date:

Input

dir /O:D

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Saved Games
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:37    <DIR>          OneDrive
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Searches
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Videos
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
18-04-2024  12:51         2,635,835 get-pip.py
18-04-2024  16:16         2,635,835 get-pip.p
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
30-12-2024  18:34    <DIR>          Pictures
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop

By Size:

Input

dir /O:S

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Searches
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Saved Games
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Videos
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
07-06-2023  16:37    <DIR>          OneDrive
30-12-2024  18:34    <DIR>          Pictures
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt
18-04-2024  12:51         2,635,835 get-pip.py
18-04-2024  16:16         2,635,835 get-pip.p

By Name:

Input

dir /O:N

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
18-04-2024  16:16         2,635,835 get-pip.p
18-04-2024  12:51         2,635,835 get-pip.py
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
07-06-2023  16:37    <DIR>          OneDrive
30-12-2024  18:34    <DIR>          Pictures
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Saved Games
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Searches
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Videos

7. View Results Page by Page

This command is used where too many files exists, we can use the /P option to get results one page at a time. Here's the command:

Input

dir /P

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
18-04-2024  16:16         2,635,835 get-pip.p
18-04-2024  12:51         2,635,835 get-pip.py
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
07-06-2023  16:37    <DIR>          OneDrive
30-12-2024  18:34    <DIR>          Pictures
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Saved Games
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Searches
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Videos

8. List File Attributes

We can also include attributes such as read-only files and archives using the following command:

Input

dir /A

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          AppData
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Application Data [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming]
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Cookies [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies]
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
18-04-2024  16:16         2,635,835 get-pip.p
18-04-2024  12:51         2,635,835 get-pip.py
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     Local Settings [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Local]
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     My Documents [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\Documents]
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
07-06-2023  16:36    <JUNCTION>     NetHood [C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts]
11-12-2024  05:46         3,670,016 NTUSER.DAT
07-06-2023  16:36           696,320 ntuser.dat.LOG1
07-06-2023  16:36         1,003,520 ntuser.dat.LOG2
02-01-2025  10:40         1,048,576 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.0.regtrans-ms
18-12-2024  09:56         1,048,576 NTUSER.DAT{53b39e87-18c4-11ea-a811-000d3aa4692b}.TxR.1.regtrans-ms
18-12-2024  09:56         1,048,57 ..

9. Display File Size

You can also check the file size (in bytes) using the following command:

Input

dir /-C

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          .
18-12-2024  09:56    <DIR>          ..
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          3D Objects
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Contacts
31-12-2024  16:02    <DIR>          Desktop
07-06-2023  16:40    <DIR>          Documents
26-12-2024  10:02    <DIR>          Downloads
14-11-2024  15:32                 3 example.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Favorites
20-11-2024  14:44                 0 filename.txt
18-04-2024  16:16           2635835 get-pip.p
18-04-2024  12:51           2635835 get-pip.py
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Links
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Music
12-12-2024  18:45    <DIR>          my-node-project
07-06-2023  16:37    <DIR>          OneDrive
30-12-2024  18:34    <DIR>          Pictures
20-11-2024  14:45                 0 Rapture.txt
14-11-2024  15:35                 3 Rqapture.txt
07-06-2023  16:36    <DIR>          Saved Games
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Searches
07-06-2023  16:38    <DIR>          Videos

Advanced Syntax

The above-mentioned syntaxes is for general usage. Now, let's see some of the advanced usage syntax along with their examples.

10. Save Output to a File

We can redirect the output to a text file (dir command) using the syntax below:

Input (file name: rapture.txt)

dir /S > rapture.txt

Output

A file name with the provided name will be created containing the directory list.

11. Search for any Specific File

You can search for any file by its name (or even partial name), following this syntax:

Input (file name: rapture - taken as a partial name "rapt")

dir *rapt*

Output

Directory of C:\Users\GFG19310.GFG

03-01-2025  11:03         7,854,908 Rapture.txt
               1 File(s)      7,854,908 bytes
               0 Dir(s)  116,168,089,600 bytes free

12. Check the Total Number of Files

This syntax will summarise the total count of a file including directory:

Input

dir /W

Output

Bonus: Useful cmd Options (Summarization)

The dir command is vastly used among users for managing and exploring directories through different ways and patterns in Windows OS. You can give it all a try and organize your work smoothly.