Nowadays, almost everyone needs to select multiple files from once in a folder, be it for organizing the files, transferring them to other locations, or even deleting them. It can be quite time-consuming and a hassle if you need to manually select each file individually, as folders can contain hundreds of files or even more, depending on the user’s computer usage and habits.
However, there are simple, effective ways to select or deselect all files in a folder with a few clicks or keyboard shortcuts. Here are the best ways to do that:
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
The simplest and fastest way to choose all the files in a folder is to use the keyboard shortcuts ‘Ctrl + A’ or ‘Shift + A’. This will select all the files in the folder and make them ready for further actions.
Using the Mouse
If you feel like taking the route of the mouse cursor, then these steps will help you to choose all the files in a folder:
1.Go to the folder you want to select the files from
2.Right-click inside the folder
3.From the Context menu, click ‘Select all’
After performing the above steps, all the files in the folder should be selected.
Using the Checkbox Feature
The Checkbox feature is an easy method of selecting all the files in a folder when the files are listed in the Details view. Here’s how to do it:
1.Go to the folder with the desired files
2.Change the View of the folder to Details view
3.Look for a tiny, light-grey rectangular box in the top left corner of the window
4.Click this box
By clicking the box in the top left corning, all the files in the folder should be selected.
Using Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is a program that allows users to locate files on their computer. It also provides a way to select all files in any folder of your choice. Here’s the way to do so:
1.Open Windows Explorer
2.Navigate to the desired folder
3.Look for an option labeled ‘Select all’ in the ribbon
4.Click the button
This button will select all the files in the folder and allow you to perform further processes upon them.
Using a Command Prompt
Though intended mainly for more advanced Windows users, this method is useful for users of all levels. The command prompt allows you to choose all the files in a folder in subfolders too. Here’s how to do it:
1.Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges
2.Enter the following command:
3.dir /A /B > filename.txt
This will create a text file named ‘filename.txt’ which will contain a list of all the files within the folder, including files from subfolders.
Extra Tips
Apart from the methods mentioned above, you can use these tips to make sure your selection process is hassle-free:
-Make sure that the files you wish to select are visible on your screen. This can be done by clicking ‘Organize’ in the ribbon and then choosing ‘Folder and search options’. This will open the Folder Options dialog, where you can select ‘Show hidden files and folders’.
-You can also apply filters to the files in your folder. For example, you can search for text files, specific programs, etc. to only select these specific types of files.
-To deselect all the files, press the ‘Ctrl + D’ key combination. Alternatively, you can open the context menu, click on the ‘Select all’ option and then press ‘Ctrl + D’.
There are a few different ways to choose all the files in a folder. Keyboard shortcuts such as ‘Ctrl + A’ or ‘Shift + A’ can select all the files in a folder quickly. Similarly, clicking the ‘Select all’ button in the ribbon or the checkbox feature in the Details view can select all the files in a folder. Finally, you can also use the Command Prompt to create a text file containing the list of files. Apart from these methods, extra tips such as applying filters and showing hidden files can be utilized for enhanced ease when selecting multiple files.
