how to open a folder within Powershell

Question

Use the Invoke-Item cmdlet, or its alias: ii.

PS> ii c:\windows # open the windows directory in windows explorer
PS> ii c:\book.xls # open book.xls in Excel
PS> ii . # open the current directory in windows explorer

For Powershell and cmd compatible way ( and I think the most common way):

start .
start c:\

To open the current folder within the powershell type:

PS>> explorer.exe $(pwd)

Use Invoke-Item, alias ii:

ii d:\temp\

you can use the explorer.exe to open the folder:

explorer.exe c:\temp\
explorer.exe <YourFolderPathHere>

I realize the question is old but folks finding this via google may find this useful even now:

I created a cmd script with:

@REM Open directory
@REM Version 1.0
@echo off
if [%1]==[] (powershell ii .
    ) Else (
        powershell ii %1
        cd %1
    )

This will also open a document such as a text file or a MS Word document, as well as opening a folder.

Just to add as well to the mix:

PS C:\> ii -path c:\directory\directory\directory

If your file name has two words with a separation consider single quotation marks:

PS C:\> ii -path 'c:\directory\directory\directory directory\'

The following work [note -path is optional]

   1. ii or invoke-item
   2. explorer.exe
   3. start