Can't Select mutiple folders in Windows Explorer

[millhouse123]

So I transfered a bunch of files from my external hard drive to my primary drive and now I can't select multiple folders using the CTL or Shift keys. I need to move a bunch of files and don't want to do it one by one. I can select multiple individual documents or pictures just not folders.

 

[Mellon Head]

Welcome millhouse123.

Have you rebooted since moving the files from your external drive? Can you select even one folder?

 

[millhouse123]

Yes I have rebooted and I can select 1 folder at a tme

 

[whs]

See whether this works.

 

[ThrashZone]

Right click a couple of them,
Click on Properties,
General section see if there's a Unblock button on the bottom ?

 

[millhouse123]

WHS: The only place it added the check box was at the file level not the folder level.

ThrashZone: So such option was available.

I did notice that the files were marked as read only - and when I uncheck and apply each one and close and open they are back to read only. Not sure if that is relevant or not.

 

[whs]

WHS: The only place it added the check box was at the file level not the folder level.

That is strange indeed. I don't know what to say. On all my systems, folders have checkboxes.

 

[lehnerus2000]

System File Checker

Have you tried running sfc?

Open the Command Prompt (Use the "Run as administrator" option in the context menu).
Type:

sfc /scannow
​

Tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[millhouse123]

I gave up on this but now i need to move a bunch of files around and I don't want to do it one by one. I did try running the sfc and it found no violations.

Any other ideas - I am on my knees begging at this point

 

[strollin]

You do realize that you can only select multiple folders on the right-side of the Windows Explorer panel and not on the left-side which is referred to as the Navigator pane, right?

 

[millhouse123]

LOL - I am very aware of that limitation. Thanks

 

[strollin]

Sorry to have asked such a basic question but sometimes these things turn out to be as simple as that.

 

[zombiex1]

And for me it was as simple as that. Been a computer nerd for 40 years but did not know you cannot select multiple files in the navigator pane... obviously I've still got lots to learn.
Thanks Al

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there


I think this method is actually easier !!! and you are less likely to make a mistake when selecting multiple (folders) but not a contiguous block - i.e selections throughout the entire list with gaps.

I can't check on W7 at the moment as I'm on a Windows 8.1 VM but W8 works (I think) the same.

there should be a little square box - just click the ones you want to process.

(Sorry in advance if this doesn't work on W7 - but AFAIK there haven't been any changes in Windows explorer in Windows 8 / 8.1 - other than it's now called File explorer !!). Ensure the item check box is clicked in Folder view.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[zombiex1]

Thanks for this, yes its the same for w7. My problem was deleting lots of photographic folders which I had duplicates of or did not need any longer. I've never tried to do multiple deletes from the navigation panel previously, now I know why, so I was on a loser from the start. You'd have thought that in the last 40 years I would have tried this but no. I'm from a system programming mainframe background so these pesky little things should not cause me much of a problem..but hey you live and learn. Thanks again

 

[Indianatone]

zombiex1 Glad you found an interesting tweak on here. You should check out the 100's of tutorials to make life easier and get your system set up the way you want it not the way it arrived from the manufacturer. There is something for everyone.
Tutorials - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[zombiex1]

Thanks for this I'll have a read through.

 

[Scoutshouse]

In the interest of others who have read this, as old as it is, a possible workaround would be to put the files you want to select in bulk into a single folder you select and open in the browser where you can select multiple files.

Worked for me! it's just an extra step that can be easily undone.

 

[barleymow]

Millhouse123: Did you ever get this figured out? I believe I can help.