# PC printing Q: How do I print a list of files from Windows Explorer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276 "2002-11-23T00:48:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/1 "2002-11-23T00:48:11Z")
GIVEN: I’ve ripped a lot of my audio CDs into MP3 format and burned these files onto CD-ROMs so I can take 'em into the field and listen to 'em on a laptop. GIVEN: I have 14 CD-ROMs full of these things. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 9.8Gigs of music. GIVEN: I have a less than perfect labelling system (i.e. **Trip’s Music I, Trip’s Music II** etc. . . .) NEED: I can view all of these files easily in Windows Explorer (with the windows key - “e” function), but I need to print them so I don’t have to flip through 14 CD-ROMs just to find one particular freakin’ song. Is there a trick or some feature that will allow me to do this? I really want to catalog my music in a printout, so I don’t have to waste my time. . . Tripler Now if I can just find the CDs to begin with, but that’s another problem. ---
**Author:** ![Mac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Mac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/2 "2002-11-23T01:08:05Z")
There are a lot of programs out that work pretty well try this one [http://www.stgsys.com/fpp.asp](http://www.stgsys.com/fpp.asp) one of the few shareware programs I’ve actually bought. If that is not what you are looking for you can always try editing the registry. [http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,14312,00.asp](http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,14312,00.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/3 "2002-11-23T01:16:13Z")
When I want to print out a directory, I drop down to dos to pipe a directory command to a text file. eg; **DIR C:\MP3 /B \>list.txt** (The /B switch is for “brief” output-- filenames only, no extension or details.) Then just open the text file with whatever WP proggy you use, edit it if you want to, and print. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/4 "2002-11-23T01:19:57Z")
Oh yeah, the **\>** pipes to output to a text file, which you can name whatever you want, I just picked “list.txt” at random. If you are unfamiliar with DOS, you can get more detail on the DIR command [here](http://www3.sympatico.ca/rhwatson/dos7/z-dir.html). If you don’t have a shortcut to DOS on your desktop/start menu, select “RUN” from the start menu and enter COMMAND to get a DOS prompt. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/5 "2002-11-23T03:07:35Z")
**Larry** , I’m pretty familiar with DOS. Up until 5 years ago, I was still using DOS 2.06. Anyway, I assume I have to run the command within the directory of all the songs? Is there a batch command to cover multiple directories, or will this suffice? Tripler I’m gonna try it right now. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![BobbySuezQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@BobbySuezQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobbySuezQ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/6 "2002-11-23T03:15:53Z")
not sure if this would work for the type of print out you want, but with win explorer open to the files, you can press alt+prnt screen to capture the window. Open up word and do a paste command. Then Print as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/7 "2002-11-23T03:18:57Z")
Oh. My. God. \*\*Larry, \*\* I can use this. I just found that if I export it into a text file like you say, I can cut and paste it into Excel, aphabetize it, and do what I like. My next step? Importing it into Access so I have a single, solid database. You sir, are my new hero. :: salute :: Tripler My geek powers are no match for any mere mortal. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-printing-q-how-do-i-print-a-list-of-files-from-windows-explorer/138276/8 "2002-11-23T04:37:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tripler \* > **Anyway, I assume I have to run the command within the directory of all the songs? Is there a batch command to cover multiple directories, or will this suffice?** **DIR /S /B** will list files in the sub-directories as well as the current directory. Maybe that’ll be enough?