TeacherTabletPC

You know the annoyance of trying to select multiple files with a pen (or touchscreen or other such interface), especially on a device with no option to “convert” and use a keyboard? Microsoft seems to have provided a solution in Vista, though it’s not on by default and not necessarily easy to find.

From GottaBeMobile.com (since, you know, I still use XP and haven’t even touched a Vista machine):

Here is how to turn on checkbox file selection:

1. Go to Start, Computer
2. Next, go to Organize, Folder and Search Options
3. Then, Go to View, and scroll down to “Use checkboxes to select items” and check it.
4. Click Ok
5. Now, when you hover over a file name with your pen or mouse, a checkbox will appear that will let multi-select items much easier ( see image below ). For touch users, you “just have to know” that the checkboxes are on the upper left hand corner or beside the folder – another nuance of not having hover in touch. By touching in that empty area, the checkboxes will work. It just takes a little practice to figure out where they are.