Clip.exe console utility which is built-in in Windows Vista helps you capture command-line output to the Clipboard. For example, typing the command dir | clip in a Command Prompt window copies the current directory listing to Clipboard. We’ve earlier used Clip.exe to add Copy as Path and Copy Target URL commands to the context menu. Here is how to add another useful option Print Directory (Clipboard) to the context menu for file system folders.

Instructions in this article works fine in Windows XP and Windows Vista, and may work in Windows 2000 as well.

Important: If you’re using Windows 2000/XP, you need the Clip.exe file for the following tip to work. You can download Clip.exe from the Microsoft FTP site and save the file to your Windows directory.

Add Print Directory (Clipboard) to the Context Menu

Note: When using the Print Directory (Clipboard) command after following the steps in Method 1, you’ll see a Command Prompt window opening and closing briefly. Method 2 uses a VBScript which launches the Command Prompt window in invisible mode.

Method 1

Download dirclip.reg and save it to the Desktop. Right-click on the file and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation.

Method 2

1. Download dirclip.vbs and save it to your Windows directory.

2. Double-click dirclip.vbs to run it.

3. Press ENTER when you see the following prompt:

After following one of the methods above, Print Directory (Clipboard) option will be added to the context menu. To copy directory contents to the Clipboard, press and hold the SHIFT key, right-click on a folder and click Print Directory (Clipboard).

Undo Information

To remove the Print Directory (Clipboard) context menu option, double-click the dirclip.vbs file, type UNINSTALL and press ENTER. Then delete the file dirclip.vbs manually from your Windows directory.

Additional Tip

To make the Print Directory (Clipboard) command always available (without needing to use the SHIFT key), simply delete the value named Extended in the registry location below, using the Registry Editor:

More Information

Below is the command that’s run when you click the Print Directory (Clipboard) context menu item.

Which is equivalent to running the following command at the Command Prompt:

SEE ALSO

How to add the Print Directory feature for file system folders in Windows Vista

Related Posts

• How to Add Icons to Custom Right-Click Menu Options in Windows 7
• Add “Copy as Path” Option to the Context Menu in Windows XP
• Copy Text File Contents to the Clipboard Using the Context Menu
• “Copy Target URL” Context Menu Option for Internet Shortcut (.Url) Files
• Print Search Results in Windows Vista

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