Select Files using Check Boxes in Windows Vista

Windows Vista has a new feature in Windows Explorer that is very useful.. checkboxes! Instead of holding down the Ctrl key and clicking a bunch of different files to select them, you can just click the checkboxes… no more accidentally copying the files or getting to the bottom and losing the selection. The only caveat is that it isn’t turned on by default.

To enable this feature, go to the Organize menu and choose “Folder and Search Options” from the menu. From there, click the View tab, and you should see this near the bottom:

Just check the “Use check boxes to select items” checkbox, and you will now be able to use the checkboxes. (It works best in detail mode)

Note that you can click the checkbox next to Name to select all files. Or Ctrl+A.