Windows Linux File Management Expanded guide File System

Windows `dir` equivalent in Linux

Lists files and folders in the current (or specified) directory.

Reference maintained by Win-Linux.com · How mappings are evaluated

Windows dir

→

Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

ls -la

Fedora same command

ls -la

Arch same command

ls -la

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "dir" is used to list directory contents. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "ls -la". Lists files and folders in the current (or specified) directory. This reference is grouped under File Management → File System.

Migration tip: In Linux, files beginning with a <strong>dot (.)</strong> are hidden. Use <code>ls -a</code> to show them — there's no separate hidden-file flag like Windows.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Equivalent task, different tool

Windows dir maps to ls -la for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.

Portable across the compared distros

The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.

Command-specific caution

Linux filenames are case-sensitive! 'File.txt' and 'file.txt' are two different files.

For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux filesystem for Windows users.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

List directory contents

Lists files and folders in the current (or specified) directory.

ls -l

Long listing (permissions, size, date)

ls -a

Show hidden files (dotfiles)

ls -h

Human-readable sizes (KB, MB)

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

ls

ls -la

ls -lh /home/user

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows equivalent: dir
ls                   # basic listing
ls -la               # detailed listing including hidden files
ls -lh /home/user    # human-readable sizes, specific path

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`ls -l`	Long listing (permissions, size, date)
`ls -a`	Show hidden files (dotfiles)
`ls -h`	Human-readable sizes (KB, MB)
`ls -t`	Sort by modification time
`ls -R`	Recursively list subdirectories
`ls -la`	Long + hidden — the most useful combo

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "ls -la" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.

Distribution	Package manager / base	Equivalent command	Difference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu	same command	`ls -la`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`ls -la`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`ls -la`	Same command on this distribution.

Important

What to watch out for

Linux filenames are case-sensitive! 'File.txt' and 'file.txt' are two different files.

Keep learning

What this command does

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Equivalent task, different tool

Portable across the compared distros

Command-specific caution

Common use cases

List directory contents

ls -l

ls -a

ls -h

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

What to watch out for

Related File Management commands