Windows Linux File Management Expanded guide File System

Windows `tree` equivalent in Linux

Shows the directory structure as a visual tree. May need to be installed on Linux.

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

Windows tree

→

Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

tree

Fedora same command

tree

Arch same command

tree

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "tree" is used to display directory tree. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "tree". Shows the directory structure as a visual tree. May need to be installed on Linux. This reference is grouped under File Management → File System.

Migration tip: <code>tree</code> may not be installed by default. Run <code>sudo apt install tree</code>. As an alternative, <code>find . | sort | sed</code> can approximate it without installing anything.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Same name, different environment

The basic command name tree is familiar on both platforms, but Linux path rules, quoting, permissions and available options can still change the result.

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 filesystem for Windows users.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Display directory tree

Shows the directory structure as a visual tree. May need to be installed on Linux.

tree -L 2

Limit depth to 2 levels

tree -a

Include hidden files

tree -d

Show directories only

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

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

tree

tree -L 2

tree -d /home/user

sudo apt install tree

sudo dnf install tree

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows: tree /f /a
tree                           # show current directory tree
tree -L 2                    # limit to 2 levels deep
tree -d /home/user          # directories only

# Install if missing:
sudo apt install tree       # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install tree       # Fedora/RHEL

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`tree -L 2`	Limit depth to 2 levels
`tree -a`	Include hidden files
`tree -d`	Show directories only
`tree -h`	Show human-readable file sizes
`tree -I 'node_modules'`	Exclude a pattern

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "tree" 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	`tree`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`tree`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`tree`	Same command on this distribution.

Keep learning

What this command does

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Same name, different environment

Portable across the compared distros

Common use cases

Display directory tree

tree -L 2

tree -a

tree -d

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Related File Management commands