Print Folder Contents

The ability to print out the contents of a folder (directory) on your computer does not exist in Windows.

“Why would I need to print out a list of what is in my folders?”, you ask. A couple of reasons actually; 1) it can serve as a quick glance reference to your computer’s contents and 2) you might want to print a copy of file names that you backed up.

Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of programmers everywhere, you can print out those folders’ contents. One such program is called Folder Print 3. It is a FREE utility that you can download and install to satisfy this need.

Another program that works well…maybe even easier is called the JR Directory Printer. It is a zipped file that you can download here, then extract and use. In very little time, you can be printing out folder lists with either of these tools!

If using tools isn’t your style, you can use a command prompt trick to make a list of the files in any directory then open and print that list. Here’s how:

1. RIGHT click on the folder that you want the list of files (must be the exact folder, not a shortcut)
2. Highlight the location of the folder, starting with the drive letter
3. Push the Windows + R key on your keyboard (or click Start –> Run)
4. Type:   cmd
5. Presse Enter on the keyboard
6. Type:  cd 
7. Press the space bar ONE time
8. Click the small icon in the upper left hand corner of the command prompt window
9. Click Edit –> Paste
10. Type the name of the folder (directory)
11. Press Enter on the keyboard 
12. Type:   dir > list.txt
13. Presse Enter on your keyboard
14. Type exit
15. Presse Enter on your keyboard

Double-click on the folder you wanted the list for and you should find a “list.txt” file. This is a simple Notepad file that can be emailed or printed easily.