WSL open command

 

In Cygwin I have a nice open command that I can use to open directories or files.  What are the options in WSL ubuntu to replicate this?

I can use the explorer.exe cmd for example I can run

> explorer.exe .

And that will open the folder you are in windows explorer.

This will also work on files

> explorer.exe file.pdf

And it will open in pdf viewer

You can even open a web site

> explorer.exe https://www.google.com

I prefer using open vs explorer.exe, so let’s add it to ~/.bashrc

> vi ~/.bashrc

And add in

alias open='explorer.exe'

Source ~/.bashrc to pick up the changes

> source ~/.bashrc

 

Now try it out

> open . > open file.pfd > open https://www.google.com

That all worked fine.

 

Side Journey

 

I had an idea to make another alias to open https://www.google.com/search?q=speed+test

 

 

It’s a tool I use a lot to quickly diagnose my internet speed.

However, that full length does not work with explorer.exe

> explorer.exe https://www.google.com/search?q=speed+test

DOES NOT WORK!!

 

Install wslview, a better tool than explorer.exe

> sudo apt update && sudo apt install wslu

Now let me test

> wslview https://www.google.com/search?q=speed+test

 

That worked!

Now let me make an alias in ~/.bashrc

> vi ~/.bashrc

And add in

alias open='wslview' alias speedtest='wslview https://www.google.com/search?q=speed+test'

 

Source ~/.bashrc to pick up the changes

> source ~/.bashrc

Now try and run the speedtest command

> speedtest

 

Hey that worked!

References