Using the Convert-Path Cmdlet
Translating a Windows PowerShell Path
The Convert-Path cmdlet converts a Windows PowerShell path to a system path. What does that mean, and does it even matter? Well, suppose you’ve created a new Windows PowerShell drive (drive X). That drive letter is valid only in Windows PowerShell; you can’t switch to Windows Explorer and access drive X. Convert-Path, however, can tell you the “real” path of drive X. In other words, if you run this command:
Convert-Path x:
You’ll get back information similar to this:
C:\Scripts
This is particularly useful with registry drives. Windows PowerShell has its own syntax for indicating registry paths; for example, to use the Set-Location cmdlet to switch to the registry you would use a command similar to this:
Set-Location hkcu:\software\microsoft\windows
That’s fine, but outside of Windows PowerShell a path like hkcu:\software\microsoft\windows is meaningless. If you need to reference that path outside of Windows PowerShell, then just ask Convert-Path to lend you a hand:
Convert-Path hkcu:\software\microsoft\windows
That command gives you the actual path within the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows
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