Print a Listing of Files in any Directory or Drive Using the Windows Command Prompt

Sometimes you may find it useful to print a list of files in a directory. And we know there are several software applications that perform this task. But you don’t have to download or install anything to create a directory listing – all you need is a little time and the command prompt.

Step #1:  Using Windows Explorer navigate to the directory (folder) which contains the files of which you which you wish to print a list. In the example below, we’ve navigated to our G:\ drive – because that’s the directory (folder; drive) we want to print a listing of:

Step #2: We put our cursor in the address line until just the just the Directory G:\ shows then type CMD over it (see below):

Step #3: Press “Enter” and the command prompt will open to G:\ drive. It does not have to be a drive; it could be any folder – like Pictures or Music or Program Files, capiche?

Step #4: With the command prompt opened to the directory we want to print we type the following command:

DIR G:\ > MY_DIRECTORY_LIST.TXT 

You don’t have to call your file MY_DIRECTORY_LIST.TXT you can call it anything you want – as long as the name has no spaces in it (and no special characters like $, &, %, etc.)

Step #5: Press “Enter”

You won’t see anything happen. But it’s time to look at your handiwork anyway. So navigate to the directory you want to print and you’ll see the text file you created above.

Locate the file you just created

Double-click to open it.

And there’s your text file – all ready to print (see below).

You can do this with any folder (directory) or drive. And though it looks like it’s a lot of work it took less than two minutes to print the directory list of drive G.

This tip works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.x, and Windows 10. Try it – you just might like it – and even if you don’t you’ve learned something new.