How to select or highlight multiple files and folders

Updated: 08/sixteen/2021 past Computer Promise

When working with Microsoft Windows, macOS, (or any operating system with a GUI), you may want to select multiple files to copy, delete, or movement them all at in one case. The following sections depict unlike methods of selecting multiple files or folders.

Select all the files or folders in the current directory

"Select all" with shortcut keys

In nearly operating systems and programs, the shortcut key Ctrl+A (Command+A on macOS) selects all available text in the electric current text expanse, or all files in a file navigator window.

"Select all" using menus

Note

In Windows 8 or Windows 10, the File/Edit/View carte is not available in File Explorer. Utilize Ctrl+A instead.

  1. Open up a binder or directory in File Explorer or My Computer.
  2. Click Edit in the bill of fare bar at the top of the window.
  3. Click Select All on the drop-down menu.

Once the files or folders are highlighted, right-click one of the highlighted files or folders to view bachelor options to cut, re-create, or delete. For additional assistance and information, encounter the beneath department on what can be done after the files or folders are highlighted.

Mouse drag and select multiple files or folders

Tip

If yous accept many files to select, the drag-and-select method is the easiest way to select a lot of files.

Drag and select files

You can click-and-drag a box around the files or folders you want to select. Doing then selects all files and folders in that box, as shown in the animated picture.

To practise this, click and hold your left mouse button on the top-left portion of where you want to start highlighting. Next, drag the box until the terminal file or folder is highlighted. Once the files are selected, they can be copied, cutting, or dragged to some other window to move them. They tin also exist dragged to the Trash/Recycle Bin to exist deleted.

Once the files or folders are highlighted, right-click one of the highlighted files or folders to view available options, including cut, copy, or delete. For boosted help and data, come across the below section on what tin can be done subsequently the files or folders are highlighted.

Select multiple files or folders grouped together

  1. Click the beginning file or folder, so press and hold the Shift primal.
  2. While holding Shift, click the concluding file or binder.

Tip

See the other tips section on how you lot tin can select grouped and non-grouped files or folders at the same fourth dimension.

In one case the files or folders are highlighted, right-click 1 of the highlighted files or folders to view bachelor options to cut, copy, or delete. For additional assistance and data, see the below section on what can be done subsequently the files or folders are highlighted.

Select multiple files or folders that are not grouped together

  1. Click the first file or folder, and then press and hold the Ctrl key.
  2. While holding Ctrl, click each of the other files or folders y'all want to select.

Tip

See the other tips section on how you tin can select grouped and non-grouped files at the same fourth dimension.

Once the files or folders are highlighted, right-click i of the highlighted files or folders to view bachelor options to cut, copy, or delete. For additional assistance and information, see the below department on what can be done after the files or folders are highlighted.

How to select without using the mouse

  1. Press Windows central+E to open File Explorer.
  2. Press Tab until yous're in the department of the window containing the files or folders yous want to select.
  3. Use the arrow keys to move to the file or folder you want to select.
  4. Y'all tin can select more than i file or binder by holding down the Shift key and use the arrow keys highlight them.

In one case the files or folders are highlighted, press the shortcut central Ctrl+X to cut or Ctrl+C to copy, or press the Delete fundamental to delete. For additional help and information, see the beneath section on what tin can be done afterward the files or folders are highlighted.

Other tips

You can use a combination of selecting multiple files or folders and unmarried files or folders at the same time by post-obit the steps below.

  1. Click the first file or folder you want to select.
  2. Hold down the Shift key, select the concluding file or folder, and so let go of the Shift central.
  3. Concord down the Ctrl key and click any other file(south) or binder(s) you would like to add together to those already selected.

Tip

Holding Ctrl and clicking a file or folder a second time deselects the file or folder.

What can be done once the files or folders are highlighted?

After the files or folders are highlighted, they tin exist copied, moved, deleted, or compressed into a single archive file.

  • How to copy files.
  • How to move files and folders on the figurer.
  • How to delete a file, directory, or folder.
  • How to compress or make files into ane file.