How to Print a List of Folders From a Network Drive
The Windows operating system displays a directory listing for all folders, subfolders and drives that are accessible. However, the window commands don't include a Print function for the directory. Users who want to print a list of contents from a folder or network drive can generate a document in one of two ways, using Windows: screen capture option or MS-DOS commands. The operating system includes both basic functions. The screen capture option takes a snapshot of an active window, and the MS-DOS commands generate a text file. Both of these methods require a word processing application to generate a printout.
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Instructions
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Screen Captures
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1
Launch the word processing program (such as Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer) and open a blank document.
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2
Select "Computer" (Vista) or "My Computer" (XP) under the Start menu to display a directory.
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3
Double-click the desired network drive to open a new directory window.
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4
Select "Views" and choose "Details" or "List" in the top toolbar.
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5
Enlarge the window to fill your screen and to display as many items as possible.
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6
Press and hold the "Alt" key and press the "Print Screen" key to capture an image of the window to the Clipboard.
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7
Switch to the blank word processing document.
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8
Select "Paste" under "Edit" in the top menu bar to paste the screen capture of the directory window.
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9
Switch to the directory window and scroll to display the rest of the listing, if the network directory is extensive.
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10
Repeat steps 6 to 9 as needed to insert screen capture images of the directory contents.
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11
Select the "Print" function in the word processing application to print the contents of the network drive.
Text File List
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12
Select "Computer" (Vista) or "My Computer" (XP) under the Start menu and locate the network drive.
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13
Write down the assigned drive letter for the network drive.
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14
Select "MS-DOS Prompt" under "Programs" in the Start menu (Vista), or select "Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt" (XP).
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15
Type the following commands in the command prompt window, replacing [network drive] with the assigned drive letter identified in step 2:
"[network drive]:" then press the "Enter" key.
"dir > listfor[network drive].txt" then press the "Enter" key.For example, type the following commands for the network drive that is assigned as "H":
"E:"
Press the "Enter" key
"dir > listforE.txt"
Press the "Enter" key. -
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Launch the word processing program and select "Open" under "File" menu in the top menu bar.
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Browse to the network drive and select the file you created in step 4.
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Click the "Open" button to import the text file.
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19
Select the "Print" function in the word processing application to print the directory listing.
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Tips & Warnings
Expand the folder in the Windows directory to display more levels of detail in the window (such as subfolders).
The text listing outlines only one level of the directory. You must create a listing of the contents for each folder separately.
