Mastering pushd and popd in Windows Command Line

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Tired of navigating back and forth between folders in Command Prompt like some kind of file system tourist?
Wish you could teleport to a directory, do your work, and snap right back to where you started — instantly?

Say hello to your new best friends: pushd and popd.

What Are pushd and popd?

In short:

  • pushd = Go to a new directory, but remember where you were
  • popd = Teleport back to the place you pushed from

They work together like a bookmark system for your terminal sessions.

Basic Syntax

cmd
pushd [path]

and then later:

cmd
popd

Example 1: Basic Usage

Let’s say you’re working in:

cmd
C:\Users\John\Documents

You need to quickly jump to:

cmd
D:\Projects\SuperApp\src

Instead of typing cd manually twice, you can do:

cmd
pushd D:\Projects\SuperApp\src

Now you’re in D:\Projects\SuperApp\src.

After you finish your work, just type:

cmd
popd

Now you’re in D:\Projects\SuperApp\src.

After you finish your work, just type:

cmd
C:\Users\Zaur\Documents

No need to remember the old path or type it again!

Example 2: Using in Batch Scripts

If you’re writing a batch file, pushd and popd are lifesavers for keeping your scripts tidy and avoiding messy directory changes.

Example:

BAT (Batchfile)
@echo off
pushd D:\Builds\ProjectX
echo Compiling ProjectX...
:: build commands here
popd
pushd D:\Builds\ProjectY
echo Compiling ProjectY...
:: more build commands here
popd

✅ Each pushd goes into a directory
✅ Each popd brings you back exactly where you were before
✅ No worries about “Where am I now?” errors

🔄 Bonus: pushd + Network Shares

Here’s something cool: If you pushd to a network path, Windows automatically maps it to a temporary drive letter!

Example:

cmd
pushd \\Server\Share

Windows might map it as:

cmd
Z: -> \\Server\Share

Super handy when scripting file copies or installs across network shares.

(And popd will clean up that temp drive mapping when you’re done. Beautiful.)

In a nutshell:

CommandWhat It Does
pushd C:\FolderJump to C:\Folder and save current path
popdReturn to the saved path
pushd \\Server\ShareMap network share and move into it
popd after network pushdDisconnect the temporary drive letter

💡 Why Should You Use Them?

  • Save time when bouncing between directories
  • Avoid messy manual cd navigation
  • Write cleaner, safer batch files
  • Automate scripts that interact with multiple paths
  • Feel like a command-line wizard ✨

📜 Cheat Sheet

BAT (Batchfile)
pushd C:\Temp\Work
:: do some work here
popd
:: you're back at your starting point
BAT (Batchfile)
pushd \\Server01\Shared
copy importantfile.txt .
popd

Final Thoughts

pushd and popd are tiny commands that pack a huge punch in daily scripting, troubleshooting, and workflow management.

Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this command-line teleportation magic.

💬 Have a favorite pushd trick or a network drive story? Drop it in the comments — or challenge yourself to go a full day without using cd!

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