Current directory
 
The current directory is shown directly above the file window. If you move inside a packed file, this file and all subdirectories in this file are also shown here.
Hovering with the mouse over the path will underline the directory under the cursor, and show a button with a triangle below it (except when holding down the CTRL key). Clicking on the underlined directory will directly jump to that directory. Clicking on the button below the underlined directory will open a list of subdirectories of that directory. This allows you to jump quickly to a certain subdir. In that list you can move the mouse cursor to the right to open the subdirectories of the directory under the cursor. A small triangle will show you whether there is a subdir or not:
- no triangle: The directory has no subdirectory, or none is currently accessible
- filled triangle: There are directories which can be listed
- hollow triangle: Total Commander didn't determine whether there are subdirs or not, e.g. for virtual folders
 
The directory bar can also be used with the keyboard:
- Alt+F11 / Alt+F12 brings the cursor to the list
- The arrow left/right keys or Tab can be used to jump through the path elements
- Enter or arrow down allows you to open a directory or drop down the list of directories
- Escape closes a subdirectory list, or allows you to leave the directory bar
 
A single click outside of the path area makes this field editable, so you can copy the current path to the clipboard, or paste a different path. ENTER will switch to the new path. The edit box will stay open if the new path cannot be accessed. The edit box also supports auto-complete - it suggests directory names matching the already typed path. Choosing an entry from auto-complete will not close the edit box immediately, you will have to press ENTER again.
 
A double click on this line opens the directory hotlist, which allows you to quickly change to often used directories. A right click opens the context menu for the current directory, and a slow right click (one second) opens the history of already visited directories.