Want to print a directory (folder) listing in Windows 95 just like you used to be able to do so easily in DOS? If you have a few minutes to set up a batch file and do a little Registry tweaking, you can print a folder listing with ease.
Open Notepad and create a batch file by typing the following lines (substitute your printer port for LPT1, if necessary):
CD %1
DIR > LPT1
Name the file PRINTDIR.BAT, save it in your Windows\Command folder (assuming that C:\Windows is your Windows 95 directory), and close Notepad. In an Explorer or My Computer window, locate the batch file you just created, right-mouse click it and choose Properties. Select the Program tab, select Minimized under Run, and select the Close on exit option. Click OK.
Now, you'll need to run the Registery editor to add the command. At the run prompt, type "regedit" and press [ENTER]. Open "My Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell". With "Shell" highlighted, select EDIT | NEW | KEY from the menu. Type " Print Directory" for the name of this new key, then press [ENTER]. Highlight the new "Print Directory" key, and again select EDIT | NEW | KEY. Type "command" for the name of this new key and press [ENTER]. Now, double click on the (default) value in the right pane, and type "c:\windows\command\printdir.bat", then click Ok. Now close the registry window.
From now on, when you right-click on a folder icon, you can then click on Print Directory to print its contents. Note: This assumes that your printer is on LPT1. If not, change the batch file as necessary.
If you want to get to a file or folder in an open window the slow way, type the first letter of its name, such as 'P' for 'Personal,' and you'll jump to the first file or folder starting with 'P.' Continue pressing the same letter, and Windows rotates through all the files and folders starting with that letter. Eventually (zzz...), you'll get to the one you want. Want the quick way? Type the first two or three letters of that file or folder--P-E-R--and you'll get to that Personal folder from the start. But there's one catch---you have to be quick about it. If you type them slowly, you'll end up at the first file or folder that starts with 'P,' then the first one starting with 'E,' and finally, one that starts with 'R.' Type them quickly, and Windows goes right there. (Of course, this trick works in an Explorer window, too.)
Have a floppy disk full of information you'll never use again? Don't throw it away. Recycle it. Pop it in your floppy drive, and in an Explorer or My Computer window, click the drive with the right mouse button and choose Format. Select the Quick format type, which simply erases files on the disk; type in a label for your disk if you want (11 characters only, please), and click OK. Unless you've deselected the summary option, you'll see all the formatting results when it's through. Now all you need to do is stick a fresh label on that disk, and it's good as new.
Want to change the name of your hard drive? In a My Computer or Explorer window, right-click the drive you want to change and choose Properties. On the Label line, type a name of up to 11 characters, such as 'Sal's Drive,' and click OK.