How to Use the Equivalent of the "ls" Command in Windows

Linux users have a wide range of commands under their belt, but not all of them work in Windows. Fortunately, the "ls" command is an exception to this

Linux has a very powerful and valuable command-line terminal that is used and loved by its users. As such, if you have previously used Linux's Command Line Interface (CLI) and have only recently started using the Windows Command Prompt, you're bound to feel underwhelmed by the latter's lack of features.

There are many commands that are supported on the Linux terminal that does not exist on Windows 10 and 11. Luckily the “ls” command is one that is supported on the Windows Command Prompt. Read on as we explore how to use the "ls" command in Windows 10 and 11.

What Is the “ls” Command?

The “ls” command (that's LS, not IS) is one of the first terminal commands that veterans teach Linux beginners. It allows users to list files and directories from the Command Line Interface. You can think of it as a File Explorer, but without the user-friendly icons and navigation buttons. By using the “ls” command, Linux users can list the contents of the current working directory.

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How to Use the “ls” Command in Windows Command Prompt

Windows is an entirely different ecosystem when compared to Linux. As a result, many Linux CLI commands are not supported by the Windows Command Prompt tool. If you try using the “ls” command in Command Prompt, you will get the following error ”ls' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.”

However, you can use the “ls” command functionality in Windows using the equivalent dir command in Command Prompt.

To list files and directories using the Command Prompt in Windows 10 and 11:

1. Click on the Start menu icon, search for Command Prompt, right-click the Best Match, and select Run as administrator.

2. Once the Command Prompt window is open, navigate to the directory you want to view and type dir.

3. Command Prompt will now list all of the files in the current working directory, along with their sizes and last modified date.

How to Use "ls" Command in Windows PowerShell

While the "ls" command does not work on the Windows Command Prompt, it does work within Windows PowerShell. Windows PowerShell is a very powerful utility, and even allows you to carry out complex file management tasks such as creating, removing, and copying files and folders straight through the terminal.

The Get-ChildItem cmdlet script of PowerShell allows users to easily list file directories using any of the aliases such as ls, dir, and even gci.

To view a file directory using the "ls" command on Windows using Windows PowerShell:

1. Launch Windows PowerShell using the Start menu and select the Best match.

2. Navigate to your target directory using the cd command.

3. Type the ls command and press enter to view all of the listed files and folders within your target directory.

4. Similarly, you can even use the dir or gci command to view the contents of a folder.

A Handy Tool for Both Linux and Windows Users

If you love using Linux, you'll likely find that Microsoft's own command prompt is a bit weaker in comparison. Fortunately, the "ls" command is also on Windows; it just uses a different name within Command Prompt. If you're using PowerShell you can use any of the alias commands to get the required file directories.

If you haven't explored them yet, the Windows Command Prompt and PowerShell utility are a handy gateway to using more advanced Windows tools. It is always a good idea to be familiar with Windows CMD commands so you can make full use of your copy of Windows.