How to Copy a Folder’s File List Into a Text File in Windows 11

Here is a straightforward technique to put a file listing right into a textual content file with minimal effort.

Home windows 11’s File Explorer lacks a built-in possibility for copying a folder’s file listing right into a textual content file. You possibly can manually choose all information in a folder and choose Copy as path to stick their listing paths right into a file. Nevertheless, that’s hardly a great technique to arrange a file listing for a folder.

There are two good Home windows 11 strategies for copying file lists from folders into textual content information. A technique entails getting into a Command Immediate command. One other methodology requires you to arrange a brand new context menu possibility for copying a folder’s file listing to the clipboard.

The best way to Copy a Listing of File Names For a Folder With the Command Immediate

The Command Immediate is one in every of two command-line interpreters in Home windows 11. You possibly can make the most of the Command Immediate to create a easy textual content doc that features all of the information inside a selected folder. No guide copying and pasting is required for this methodology. That is how one can extract a listing of information for a folder by way of the Command Immediate in Home windows 11.

1. Click on Home windows 11’s magnifying glass taskbar icon.
2. Sort cmd within the search device’s field.
3. Choose Command Immediate to open its window.
4. First, open the folder to acquire a file listing throughout the Command Immediate. To take action, enter cd adopted by a folder path and press Return.

5. Then enter this command within the Immediate’s window and press Enter:

   dir /b >filename.txt 

6. Press the Win + E key combo, and open the folder for which you arrange a file title listing.
7. You’ll discover the file listing textual content doc you arrange with the Command Immediate inside that folder. Double-click the textual content file to open it.

You possibly can change the filename textual content within the command specified above with a unique file title. Nevertheless, the file title should embody the .txt extension on the finish of it.

Learn additionally: Enjoyable Tips You Can Do in Command Immediate

The best way to Set Up a Copy File Listing to Clipboard Choice

The Command Immediate methodology above could be enough for some customers. Nevertheless, you may add a handy Copy File Listing to Clipboard choice to the context menu by tweaking the registry. Then you may merely copy a file listing for a folder to the clipboard by choosing an possibility on the right-click menu. These are the steps for including a Copy File Listing to Clipboard choice to Home windows 11’s context menu.

1. Begin Run by urgent the Win + R keyboard shortcut.
2. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit the Open field and clicking OK.
3. Open the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell key location with the left navigation pane.
4. Proper-click the shell registry key to pick New.
5. Subsequent, choose Key so as to add one to the registry.

6. Enter copylist for a key title.
7. Choose the brand new copylist key, and double-click (Default) on the best of the Registry Editor.
8. Sort Copy File Listing to Clipboard contained in the Worth knowledge field, and choose OK to use.
9. Now you’ll want so as to add a subkey to the copylist key. Proper-click copylist to pick the New > Key registry choices.
10. Enter command within the textual content field.

11. Click on the command key on the left of the registry editor to pick it.
12. Double-click the (Default) string for the chosen command key.
13. Enter cmd /c dir “%1” /a:-d /o:n | clip within the Edit String window’s textual content field.

14. Choose OK to use the worth and exit the window.
15. Shut the Registry Editor.

Now discover a folder in File Explorer to repeat a file listing from. Proper-click that folder and choose Present extra choices. Click on Copy File Listing to Clipboard on the basic menu.

You’ll nonetheless want to stick the copied listing right into a textual content file. Launch Run, sort Notepad within the Open field, and click on OK. Then press the Ctrl + V hotkey to stick the folder’s file listing into Notepad.

The Copy File Listing to Clipboard possibility offers a extra detailed file listing for a folder than the Command Immediate methodology. Other than itemizing file names, the listing consists of their date and measurement particulars. It additionally tells you what number of information there are within the folder. It can save you the listing by clicking File > Save as in Notepad.

You possibly can take away the Copy File Listing to Clipboard context menu possibility by deleting its key. Open the Registry Editor, and return to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell location. Proper-click copylist to pick its Delete possibility.

Learn additionally: What Is the Home windows Registry and How Do I Edit It?

Hold Observe of Your Folders’ Contents With File Lists

So, you don’t want any third-party Home windows 11 applications to generate folder file lists. The strategies above are fairly simple methods to repeat file lists from folders into textual content paperwork in Home windows 11. For those who solely want a primary listing of information, the Command Immediate methodology shall be advantageous. To repeat extra detailed folder file lists, add the Copy File Listing to Clipboard choice to the context menu.

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