Whether you are selecting multiple files to:

• open them simultaneously,
• attach them to an email,
• use during the Add Words from Documents feature in Dragon,
• or other reasons,

there are several ways in which you can accomplish this task. Windows 7 provides a new way to select multiple files, but I find more often than not, I lose the list of selected files all too easily. However, you may have more success.

Windows 7 allows you to hover to the left of the file name and check off the box (invisible until hovered over with your mouse) to select the file. Again, this is useful for selecting files in or out of sequence, but may be unselected all too easily.

[click image for larger view]

Thankfully you can still employ the old tried and true methods of selecting files, although be aware of a few Windows 7 features that changes this method a little.

To select all files in a folder, simply press < Ctrl + a > on the keyboard for those of us who prefer our keyboard shortcuts. In Windows 7 you can also click on the topmost box next to the header “Name”. This is very convenient for the mouser.

[click image for larger view]

To select files in sequence, first select the first file desired (do not double-click, and in Windows 7 click the box to the left of the file name). Hold down the < Shift > key on the keyboard and select the last file desired in sequence (do not double-click, and in Windows 7 click the file’s name rather than the box). With respect to the latter, you may also hold down the < Shift > key on the keyboard while pressing the < Page Down > or the < Down/Right Arrow > key until you have selected all files desired in sequence.

[click image for larger view]

To select individual files that are not in sequence, hold down the < Ctrl > key on the keyboard and select each file desired (do not double-click, and in Windows 7 click the file’s name or the box). With respect to Windows 7, you may also click the box next to each file’s name of those you wish to include in your selection.

[click image for larger view]

To recap, select multiple files in a file dialog box as follows:

All Files — < Ctrl + a > or in Windows 7 click the box at the top of the list next to “Name”

Sequenced Files — Click first file, then < Shift> click last file or in Windows 7 click the box next to each file name

Individual files — < Ctrl > click each file or in Windows 7 click the box next to each file name

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