Create multiple folders and subfolders at once on Windows - Notepad + CMD

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Published on Jan 06, 2025 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Creating multiple folders and subfolders manually can be a tedious task, especially when organizing files on your Windows 10 PC. This tutorial will guide you through the process of using Notepad and the Command Prompt to create multiple folders and subfolders at once, enhancing your productivity and saving you time.

Step 1: Open Notepad to Create a Folder Structure

  1. Open Notepad on your computer.

  2. Write down your desired folder structure using the following format:

    • Use the backslash \ to denote subfolders.
    • Each folder and its subfolders should be on a new line.

    Example:

    ParentFolder1
    ParentFolder1\Subfolder1
    ParentFolder1\Subfolder2
    ParentFolder2
    ParentFolder2\Subfolder1
    
  3. Save the file with a .txt extension, for example, folder_structure.txt.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and hit Enter to launch the Command Prompt.

Step 3: Navigate to the Desired Directory

  1. In the Command Prompt, use the cd command to change directories to where you want to create your folders.

    Example:

    cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents
    

Step 4: Run the Command to Create Folders

  1. In the Command Prompt, type the following command to execute the structure you created in Notepad:

    mkdir < folder_structure.txt
    

    Make sure to replace < with the actual path to your folder_structure.txt file.

  2. Press Enter. This will create all the folders and subfolders listed in your text file.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Ensure that your folder structure in Notepad is correctly formatted; otherwise, the command may not work as intended.
  • Double-check the path you are in before running the command to avoid creating folders in the wrong location.

Practical Tips

  • Use descriptive names for your folders to make file organization easier.
  • You can edit your folder_structure.txt file at any time to modify the folder structure.
  • Consider backing up important folders before making bulk changes.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to efficiently create multiple folders and subfolders on your Windows 10 PC using Notepad and the Command Prompt. By following these steps, you can save time and streamline your file organization process. For further organization, consider learning about file management tools or additional Command Prompt commands.