How in the Tech

Selecting files by checkboxes in Windows Explorer

By Adam Myers ⋅ March 15, 2010 ⋅ Tags: File Management, Windows 7

One of the many attractions to the Apple platform is centered around easy of use and usability in general. Windows is commonly thought of as not being easy to use to new users – with multiple or confusing ways to accomplish a single goal, there is some truth to the matter. If it’s possible for you to step back for a moment, imagine you were placed in front of Windows 7. Would you know to click the Orb on the Start Menu to launch applications? It’s a random and silly example but these situations are rampant throughout Windows, even though Microsoft has improved the experience on many fronts.

Windows Explorer is another rather complicated critical application for novice users. If you’ve grown up with Windows, or even computers in general, you wouldn’t believe the random bits of info you’ve acquired along the way. Perhaps it exists somewhere in the user interface, but a new user would have no idea how to select multiple files or folders in Explorer. You are probably aware on how holding down CTRL while you click on each file will select them in mass. The CTRL+Select method is functional, assuming you know about it, but it’s also prone to errors, generally by miss-clicking or letting up on CTRL too soon and losing your entire selection.

In Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft added another ability to select, or should I say check, multiple files – checkboxes. Unfortunately, and perhaps predictably, the option is disabled by default and buried a few levels deep within the options. Here’s how to uncover it.

1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer. Microsoft has hidden the File, Edit, View options from the toolbar but they can be restored temporarily by hitting ALT.



2. Click on Tools->Folder Options.



3. Select the View tab on the Folder Options dialog window. Under Advanced settings scroll down until you find the option titled Use check boxes to select items. Check it and click Apply.



4. You will now notice a new column in your Explorer view that allows you to check a file one at a time as necessary!