Share via

Copy list of files from Windows explorer as text into an application...

Anonymous
2009-12-20T22:04:55+00:00

Will windows ever add a menu item or something, to copy list of files from Windows explorer as text into an application?  I would run a DOS command (dir /s c: >c-example.txt) like I have done years ago, but as I'm sure your aware, MS DOS command line has'nt been availible for years and your Windows Virtualization is incompatible with my new computer.... Any solutions would be grately appreciated.

Thanks'

Dave

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2009-12-21T00:54:39+00:00

    Hi Dave,

    Have I got good news for you:

    There are a couple of ways to do what you want:

    The first is the most straightforward, and is already in Windows 7 (and Vista for that matter):

    1.  Highlight one or more files for which you'd like to know the path in Explorer.

    2.  Hold down the shift key, and right-click any of the highlighted files. 

    3.  When the context menu pops up, left click on the Copy As Path entry that has magically appeared because you're holding the shift key down.

    A slightly better method, IMO, though it takes a little extra work is to add an extension to the Send To menu to allow you to right-click on a file or files and choose Send To -> Clipboard (as Name).  To me this somehow seems more convenient, as I got used to the PowerToys way back when.  One such extension, that also adds a nice control panel applet to help you manage the Send To menu, is a neat little freeware package called Send To Toys, by Gabriele Ponti, which can be downloaded from here:  http://www.gabrieleponti.com/software/index.html#sendtotoys

    A nice feature of the Send To Toys program is that you can even have it put quotes around any file path that contains blanks.  Handy indeed!

    Hope this helps!

    -Noel

    P.S., A DOS-like command line tool is still (and has always been) available.  In the Start menu choose:  Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt.  Or you can just run:  CMD.exe

    70+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

25 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-07-26T18:30:51+00:00

    To answer the subject of this question (which is why it came in google search) these are the steps to copy 'just the filename' to the clipboard and export it in a text file

    When you navigate in windows files and folders, Windows explorer sorts files by Filename in ascending order. So if you want to exactly copy the files in same order here are the steps;

    1. In Windows explorer navigate to the folder which has the list of files you want to copy
    2. Press Shift key and right click the folder and select the option of 'Open in Command Windows here'. It will open the command prompt with path of the directory already in the prompt.
    3. Type: dir /b /o. This will list just the filenames sorted by filename in the ascending order (as displayed in your Windows explorer)
    4. Now in the command prompt result you can either right click and select 'Mark' and press Ctrl-C to copy the filenames or use the above command to export the list to an external file with any name. example: dir /b /o > myfilenames.txt

    That's it.!!

    No more looking for third party apps or other stuff which loads onto windows and risky if it comes it adds/ malware or other unwanted toolbars etc.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-22T16:00:39+00:00

    Will windows ever add a menu item or something, to copy list of files from Windows explorer as text into an application?  I would run a DOS command (dir /s c: >c-example.txt) like I have done years ago, but as I'm sure your aware, MS DOS command line has'nt been availible for years and your Windows Virtualization is incompatible with my new computer.... Any solutions would be grately appreciated.

    Thanks'

    Dave

    The far better question is "How could Microsoft overlooked such basic functionality YET AGAIN?" It's like waiting two versions for "Deltree" all over again.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-23T13:46:39+00:00

    Thanks for the answers, but I too would like to print to the clipboard or to a text file, rather than to my system printer.  Is there a way to do that?

    Did you READ or TRY any of the info that's shown in green above?  The stuff I wrote about won't make a print.

    -Noel

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments