Question : Cmd prompt - is there an easier way?

I had something come up yesterday that caused me to have to use the cmd prompt in Windows 7 (elevated cmd prompt).  It had been some time since I had used cmd prompt and it immediately brought to my attention some of the attributes of cmd that are not as pleasant as they might be.  I just wondered if there is another way, or perhaps I just need to know my cmd prompt options better.

First thing is I had to run an exe from a certain directory.  The directory where the exe existed was several levels down in a chain of long folder names.  I had to do a dir on each folder to see the sub folders and then try to type "cd name of big long hairy folder" to get down to the next level.  Is there a better way?  Is there a better tool? Is it possible to easily get the cmd prompt to open on a directory you're already in, in Windows explorer for example?

Next, it was necessary to copy and past some text from my cmd prompt window.  I did it, and it worked but copying and pasting cmd text is not as pleasant as it might be.

Could be that this is just the way things are (still) and I need to accept it.  On the other hand I am always amazed at tools and ways of doing things that are out there that one might not know anything about.  FileZilla is a good example which I discovered last week.  Maybe I just need a good cmd prompt instruction book.  I don't know.  Is there one out there or is there an altogether different and better soltuion?

Answer : Cmd prompt - is there an easier way?

to switch fast beetwend directories in CMD type lets say 4 firts letters of taht folder and press TAB button. It resolves rest folder name. You can press TAB button few times if it's necessary. You can use TAB without any letters to check what is in a directory :)