212 Computer Basics Training

Lesson 8-11: Selecting Multiple

Files and Folders
Figure 8-24
To select several files that
are next to each other,
hold down the mouse
button and drag a
rectangle around the files
you want to select.
Figure 8-25
When you want to select a
group of adjacent files,
Figure 8-24 1. Move the pointer to 2. Hold down the mouse button
select the first file you an empty area in the and drag a rectangle around
want to select, hold down window. the files you want to select.
the <Shift> key, and click
the last file.
Figure 8-26
Use the <Ctrl> key when Click the first Press and hold
you want to select non­ file you want to down the
select, press <Ctrl> key
adjacent files. and hold down while you click
the <Shift> key each file you
and click the want to select.
last file you
want to select.
Figure 8-25 Figure 8-26

By now, you know that you must select a file or folder before you can do anything to it, such
as move or delete it. In this lesson, you will learn how to select more than one file and/or
folder at a time, so you can move, copy, or delete a group of files simultaneously.

1. Navigate to and open your Practice folder.

If necessary, follow your instructor’s directions to select the appropriate drive and
folder where your practice files are located.
First, let’s review how to select a single file.
2. Click the Paris file to select it.
The Paris file is highlighted, indicating that it is selected. Now you could delete, move,
or copy the Paris file. To deselect a file, just click in any empty area of the window.
3. Click any empty area of the window to deselect the Paris file.
Other Ways to Move or The Paris file is no longer selected.
Copy a file:
You can select more than one file or folder at a time, so you can delete, move, or copy
• Click the file to select it a whole bunch of files at once. Like so many Windows functions, there are several
and select Edit → methods to select multiple files. If the files you want to select are next to each other,
Move to or Copy to you can move the mouse pointer to an empty area of the window, hold down the mouse
from the menu. button, and drag a rectangle around the files you want to select, as shown in Figure
8-24.

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 Chapter Eight: Working with Files and Folders 213

4. Move the pointer to any empty area in the folder window, click and hold
down the mouse button, and drag a rectangle around several files, as
shown in Figure 8-24.
The only problem with this method is that it only works when you want to select files
that are next to each other.
5. Click any empty area of the screen to deselect the files.
Another method of selecting adjacent files and folders is to click the first file you want
to select, hold down the <Shift> key, and then click the last file of the group of files
you want to select.
6. Click the Carbrake file to select it, then press and hold the <Shift> key
as you click the Paris file.
You’ve selected the Carbrake file, the Paris file, and all the files that are in between the
two.
7. Click any empty area of the screen to deselect the files.
To select non-adjacent files and folders, hold down the <Ctrl> key and click each item
you want to select.
8. Click the Carbrake file to select it, press and hold down the <Ctrl> key,
click the Paris file and the Trade Show folder, then release the <Ctrl>
key.
Remember, you can move, copy, or delete any selected files all at once. Holding down
the <Ctrl> key also lets you click and deselect any selected files.
9. With the files still selected and the <Ctrl> key still pressed, click and Quick Reference
drag one of the selected files (the Carbrake or Paris files, or the Trade
To Select Multiple Items:
Show folder) from the folder window to your Desktop.
All the selected files are copied to the desktop. • If the items are next to
10. With the newly copied files still selected on your Desktop, press the
each other, you can click
and drag a rectangle
<Delete> key. around the items you
The selected files are all deleted from the desktop. want to select.
To select all the files and folders in the window, select Edit → Select All from the Or…
menu.
• If the items are next to
11. Select Edit → Select All from the menu. each other, you can click
All the files in the window are selected. the first item you want to
12. Close the window to end this lesson. select, press and hold
down the <Shift> key,
and click the last item you
want to select.
• If the items aren’t next to
each other, you can select
non-adjacent items by
holding the <Ctrl> key
and clicking the items you
want to select.
To Select All Files at Once:
• Select Edit → Select All
from the menu.

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