Windows start (open file/URL) equivalent in Linux
Opens a file, folder, or URL with the appropriate default application — like double-clicking in the file manager.
start (open file/URL)
xdg-open
xdg-open
xdg-open
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "start (open file/URL)" is used to open files with default application. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "xdg-open". Opens a file, folder, or URL with the appropriate default application — like double-clicking in the file manager. This reference is grouped under Terminal & Shell Scripting → Terminal.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows start (open file/URL) maps to xdg-open 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.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux command-line basics.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Open files with default application
Opens a file, folder, or URL with the appropriate default application — like double-clicking in the file manager.
xdg-open file.pdf
Open PDF in default viewer
xdg-open .
Open current directory in file manager
xdg-open https://url
Open URL in default browser
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
xdg-open document.pdf
xdg-open .
xdg-open https://google.com
xdg-open photo.jpg
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: start file.pdf
xdg-open document.pdf # open in default PDF viewer
xdg-open . # open current folder in Nautilus/Dolphin
xdg-open https://google.com # open in Firefox/Chrome
xdg-open photo.jpg # open in image viewerReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
xdg-open file.pdf | Open PDF in default viewer |
xdg-open . | Open current directory in file manager |
xdg-open https://url | Open URL in default browser |
xdg-open image.png | Open image in viewer |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "xdg-open" 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 | xdg-open |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | xdg-open |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | xdg-open |
Same command on this distribution. |
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