Windows – Non-alphanumeric character folder name auto-completion problems

command linepowershellwindows 7

I have been working with Windows 7's command line and have some folders that begin with non-alphanumeric characters. When I try to use tab completion to complete the folder name, the initial character is not included inside of the quotation marks.
Example: C:\Users\username\!example is the folder I want to get into, but when I type:

cd !

and press <Tab> to autocomplete, it will complete to 

cd !"!example"

instead of the expected 

cd "!example"

Any ideas on how to fix this besides changing the folder names?

EDIT: I realize I could just tab through the entire list after entering cd, but I'm looking for a way to speed up the process. I have been spending a significant amount of time navigating these folders.

UPDATE: This also happens if there is a space in the directory. For example: "c:\Program Files". In order to continue using tab to complete, first the second quote has to be deleted.

C:\Program

press Tab

"C:\Program Files" is what appears. To navigate to a subdirectory, first the quote after Program Files has to be deleted before the next directory can be spelled out.

Best Answer

After much searching, I have a solution: Use Powershell. It is an advanced command-line tool with scripting language and is available on Windows 7.

Just type power into search on start and click the powershell icon (as illustrated). It might take a second to boot but it is a good utility.

enter image description here

Here is tabbing (cycling) through alphnumeric folders...

Power 2

P.s. Changing the functionailty of the command-line completion on ordinary CMD does not seem to be an option. You can only turn it on or off. The other alternative is to download a different SHELL (Console2 for instance) but Powershell works fine and should do all you need. For the name alone "PowerShell", it is pretty cool ;-)

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