Set-Location

Sets the current working location to a specified location.

Syntax

Set-Location
   [[-Path] <String>]
   [-PassThru]
   [-UseTransaction]
   [<CommonParameters>]
Set-Location
   -LiteralPath <String>
   [-PassThru]
   [-UseTransaction]
   [<CommonParameters>]
Set-Location
   [-PassThru]
   [-StackName <String>]
   [-UseTransaction]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Set-Location cmdlet sets the working location to a specified location. That location could be a directory, a sub-directory, a registry location, or any provider path.

You can also use the StackName parameter of to make a named location stack the current location stack. For more information about location stacks, see the Notes.

Examples

Example 1: Set the current location

PS C:\> Set-Location -Path "HKLM:"

PS HKLM:\>

This command sets the current location to the root of the HKLM: drive.

Example 2: Set the current location and display that location

PS C:\> Set-Location -Path "Env:" -PassThru



Path

----

Env:\

PS Env:\>

This command sets the current location to the root of the Env: drive. It uses the PassThru parameter to direct Windows PowerShell to return a PathInfo object that represents the Env: location.

Example 3: Set location to the C: drive

PS C:\> Set-Location C:

This command sets the current location C: drive in the file system provider.

Example 4: Set the current location to a named stack

PS C:\> Set-Location -StackName "WSManPaths"

This command makes the WSManPaths location stack the current location stack.

The location cmdlets use the current location stack unless a different location stack is specified in the command. For information about location stacks, see the Notes.

Required Parameters

-LiteralPath

Specifies a path of the location. The value of the LiteralPath parameter is used exactly as it is typed. No characters are interpreted as wildcard characters. If the path includes escape characters, enclose it in single quotation marks. Single quotation marks tell Windows PowerShell not to interpret any characters as escape sequences.

Type: String
Aliases: PSPath
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName)
Accept wildcard characters: False

Optional Parameters

-PassThru

Returns a System.Management.Automation.PathInfo object that represents the location. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

Type: SwitchParameter
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False
-Path

Specify the path of a new working location. If no path is provided, Set-Location will default to the current user's home directory.

Type: String
Position: 1
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName, ByValue)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-StackName

Specifies the location stack name that this cmdlet makes the current location stack. Enter a location stack name. To indicate the unnamed default location stack, type $Null" or an empty string ("").

The Location cmdlets act on the current stack unless you use the StackName parameter to specify a different stack.

Type: String
Position: Named
Default value: None
Accept pipeline input: True (ByPropertyName)
Accept wildcard characters: False
-UseTransaction

Includes the command in the active transaction. This parameter is valid only when a transaction is in progress. For more information, see Includes the command in the active transaction. This parameter is valid only when a transaction is in progress. For more information, see

Type: SwitchParameter
Aliases: usetx
Position: Named
Default value: False
Accept pipeline input: False
Accept wildcard characters: False

Inputs

System.String

You can pipe a string that contains a path, but not a literal path, to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None, System.Management.Automation.PathInfo, System.Management.Automation.PathInfoStack

This cmdlet generates a System.Management.Automation.PathInfo object that represents the location, if you specify the PassThru parameter. Otherwise, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

Notes

  • The Set-Location cmdlet is designed to work with the data exposed by any provider. To list the providers available in your session, type Get-PSProvider . For more information, see about_Providers.

    A stack is a last-in, first-out list in which only the most recently added item can be accessed. You add items to a stack in the order that you use them, and then retrieve them for use in the reverse order. Windows PowerShell lets you store provider locations in location stacks. Windows PowerShell creates an unnamed default location stack. You can create multiple named location stacks. If you do not specify a stack name, Windows PowerShell uses the current location stack. By default, the unnamed default location is the current location stack, but you can use the Set-Location cmdlet to change the current location stack.

    To manage location stacks, use the Windows PowerShell Location cmdlets, as follows:

  • To add a location to a location stack, use the Push-Location cmdlet.

  • To get a location from a location stack, use the Pop-Location cmdlet.
  • To display the locations in the current location stack, use the Stack parameter of the Get-Location cmdlet. To display the locations in a named location stack, use the StackName parameter of Get-Location .
  • To create a new location stack, use the StackName parameter of Push-Location . If you specify a stack that does not exist, Push-Location creates the stack.
  • To make a location stack the current location stack, use the StackName parameter of Set-Location .

    The unnamed default location stack is fully accessible only when it is the current location stack. If you make a named location stack the current location stack, you cannot no longer use Push-Location or Pop-Location cmdlets add or get items from the default stack or use Get-Location to display the locations in the unnamed stack. To make the unnamed stack the current stack, use the StackName parameter of Set-Location with a value of $Null or an empty string ("").

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