In Windows 11, if I open file explorer to c:\temp\, is there a programmatic way to identify that c:\temp is open in file explorer?
I want to execute this batch:
xcopy "c:\templates\*.*" to %destination%
Whereby %destination% is defined by the currently opened folder in file explorer.
Your question is a little vague, I am assuming you are looking for a batch script or simple solution that doesn't require actual programming.
Use the "Open in Terminal" context menu item to open the command prompt in your current folder. The %CD% variable will contain the directory.
You can then create a batch script "C:\Windows\copytemplate.cmd" (it doesn't have to be C:\Windows, just any folder accessible to %PATH%) with the following code
xcopy C:\template\*.* "%CD%" /E /I /Y
Now inside the command prompt you opened, you can type copytemplate.cmd and it should execute the command.
You could also create a context menu item for your command, I don't know how to do it for Windows 11 and the new explorer UI, but you can use the older method and use Shift + Right Click to view the legacy context menu.
modifying the registry can cause issues if done wrong so proceed with caution
The following is a .reg file used to modify the registry adding a "Copy Template Here"
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\CopyTemplate]
@="Copy Template Here"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\CopyTemplate\command]
@="cmd.exe /c xcopy \"C:\\templates\\*\" \"%V\" /E /I /Y"
I'm assuming you need a portable solution than can run on Windows 11 without installing additional programs. If you need to run it only on one PC/laptop and you have admin rights, then creating a custom context menu (from NickSlash's answer) is easier.
The easiest way to get the folder is to use PowerShell which is built-in into Windows since Windows 7. Here's an example and another one which gets path from the topmost Explorer window.
However, it might be better to ask the user where they want to save files using a graphical dialog. PowerShell can do it.
