Here are a few ways you can get a list of files and folders on a computer. I won’t get into specifics on how to use them. I just wanted to give you the options. 😇
The DIR command (Simple way to list files and folders)
- Documentation: Microsoft Docs
- Articles: How-To Geek, SS64, Computer Hope, windows-commandline
- Advantages: Good if you just need list of files, types, sizes etc…
- Disadvantages: Not good if you need a visual representation of the file hierarchy.
- GUI Alternative: JR Directory Printer does pretty much the same with a GUI. Karen’s Directory Printer offers a little more options, but it is not portable. There is also DirLister that can export to Excel and other formats, but it is buggy and adds annoying text after each file/folder.
TREE command (Make a directory structure tree)
- Documentation: Microsoft Docs
- Articles: SS64, Computer Hope
- Advantages: Very simple and limited. Good if you just need a tree of the directory structure
- Disadvantages: Not good if you just need a list of files, advanced filtering or if you need something more visually pleasing.
Snap2HTML (Software to make dynamic HTML)
- Documentation: GitHub
- Download: Snap2HTML
- Advantages: A beautiful and eloquent way to share complex directory structures with other non-technical people. Also, the software is portable, free and allows you to export to CSV or JSON.
- Disadvantages: Requires HTML and a web browser. The template looks a bit outdated, but you can change it if you know HTML.