Making a Text-Based Inventory of Folder Contents in Windows 10
So, you need a list of everything inside a specific folder on your Windows 10 PC. It’s pretty straightforward using the built-in tools. You’ll use Command Prompt to grab all the file names and subfolders, and then save that info into a text file. It’s not complicated, but it can feel a bit clunky — typical Windows style. The method is simple: navigate to your folder, enter a command, and save the output to a text document. Here’s how to do it.
Getting Started with Command Prompt
First, open up the Command Prompt. Make sure to run it as an administrator. Press the Windows key, type “cmd”, then right-click on the Command Prompt result and choose “Run as administrator”. This ensures you have the permissions to save files where you need them. Windows can be a bit picky with permissions, so it’s safer to run it with admin rights.
Navigating to Your Folder
Once Command Prompt is open, you’ll want to navigate to the folder you’re interested in. Use the “cd” (change directory) command. For example, if your folder is at C:\YourFolderName, just type that and hit Enter. If your folder name includes spaces, enclose it in quotes like this: cd "C:\Path With Spaces". And if you need to switch drives, use cd /d D:\Data. Navigating properly ensures you get an accurate list of your folder’s contents.
Generating the List
Once you’re in the right directory, type dir > list.txt and press Enter. This command lists everything in the folder and saves it into a file called list.txt. For a more tailored list, you can add some switches:
- For just file and folder names without details, use
dir /b > list.txt. - To include all subfolders as well, type
dir /s > list.txt. - If you want to see hidden files, add /a:
dir /a > list.txt.
If you want to save the list somewhere specific, just specify the full path, like dir /b > C:\Users\YourName\Documents\folderlist.txt.
Checking the Output
After running the command, open File Explorer and find the list.txt file. Double-click it to see if everything looks right. It should show a neat list of all the items in your target folder. It’s a pretty handy step — if the list isn’t quite right, you might have missed something.
Edit Your List
If you want to tidy up the list — maybe remove some things or improve the format — just open list.txt in Notepad or your favourite text editor. You can then tweak it however you like, whether that’s adding notes, sorting, or just cleaning it up.
Tips to Keep in Mind
Here are a few handy hints while working with these commands:
- Use the Tab key to auto-complete folder names — saves time and avoids typos.
- Need to include files from subfolders? Add /s.
- For just filenames and paths, stick with
dir /b > list.txt. - You can combine switches, like
dir /s /b > list.txt. - If you’re feeling techy, you can save these commands in a batch script for quick repeats.
FAQs
Can I customise how the list looks?
Absolutely. For a simplified list with only filenames, use dir /b > list.txt. If you want more detail, just run dir > list.txt for a full overview.
How do I list files of a specific type?
Easy — use a wildcard such as dir *.extension > list.txt. For example, for JPEG images, type dir *.jpg > images-list.txt.
Are hidden files included?
Yes, just add /a: dir /a > list.txt. This will include hidden files in your list.
What should I do if I get “access denied” errors?
Try running Command Prompt as an administrator. If that doesn’t sort it out, choose a folder where you definitely have permissions — like your Documents folder — to save the file.
Final Tips
Pulling together a list of your folder contents in Windows 10 isn’t as tricky as it seems. Once you get the hang of the commands, it really helps with organising and backing up your files. If you’re keen to get more advanced, you can explore PowerShell or create automated batch files to make things even easier.
With these steps, you’ll have quick access to a full list of your folder’s contents whenever needed. It’s a handy trick to streamline your file management. Give it a go and see how much time it saves — with a bit of practice, it’ll become second nature!
And these methods have worked across multiple machines I’ve tested on.