Move to a Different Directory

Maintained on October 21, 2026

Table of Contents

To move a file to another folder, use the move command.

This page focuses on the common case of “just move this file to another folder”. For all move options and moving folders, see the detailed article.

move - Move files and folders

Learn how to move files and folders using the move command in the command prompt or batch files. This guide covers basic

The Most Basic Move

This moves disposable.txt in the current directory to the Documents folder.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

C:\users\user>move disposable.txt "%USERPROFILE%\Documents"

1 file(s) moved.

C:\users\user>

In a batch file:

move-one-file.cmd

@echo off
setlocal

set "TARGET=%USERPROFILE%\Documents"
set "FILE_NAME=disposable.txt"

move "%FILE_NAME%" "%TARGET%"

endlocal
exit /b

Quote paths that contain spaces

If a path may contain spaces, wrap it in double quotes, as in "%USERPROFILE%\My Documents".

Moving Multiple Files at Once

move also accepts wildcards.

For example, this moves every file starting with done_ to the Completed folder.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

C:\users\user>move done_* "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Completed"

5 file(s) moved.

C:\users\user>

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move-many-files.cmd

@echo off
setlocal

set "TARGET=%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Completed"

move "done_*" "%TARGET%"

endlocal
exit /b

Renaming While Moving

To give the file a different name at the destination, specify the destination including the file name.

－ □ ×

Command Prompt

Microsoft Windows [Version xx.x.xxxxx.xxx]

C:\users\user>move report.txt "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\archive\report_2026.txt"

1 file(s) moved.

C:\users\user>

An existing folder versus a path with a file name

If the destination is an existing folder, the file is moved into it with the same name. If the destination is a path that does not exist, it is treated as a move combined with a rename.

Beware of overwriting existing files

If a file with the same name exists at the destination, Command Prompt asks whether to overwrite it. Add the /Y option to overwrite without asking. When run from inside a batch file, move overwrites without asking unless you specify /-Y, so take care when moving into a location that holds important files.

Use an existing folder as the destination for multiple files

When moving multiple files with wildcards, specify a destination folder that already exists. A path that does not exist causes an error, so create it first with mkdir if necessary.