Console Window Host, or conhost.exe allows you to drag a file or folder into

Question

Asked: May 31, 20262026-05-31T00:51:45+00:00 2026-05-31T00:51:45+00:00

Console Window Host, or conhost.exe allows you to drag a file or folder into a cmd.exe window, instead of typing the path.

If the path contains any spaces then it is wrapped in double quotes, eg

"C:\Program Files"

Problems

If you happen to have a path with & dragging it will fail

cd C:\foo&bar
The system cannot find the path specified.
'bar' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program
or batch file.

If you happen to be using Bash on Windows then any path without a space will
fail.

$ cd C:\Windows\System32
sh: cd: C:WindowsSystem32: No such file or directory

Is there a way to make conhost always apply the quotes to dragged files?

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Editorial Team · Answer 1 · 2026-05-31T00:51:46+00:00

Editorial Team

One alternative is to use Tab to complete the path.

I had to edit my ~/.inputrc to add this.

"\t": complete-filename