Whether you're trying to re-create, move, transfer, delete, or perform whatsoever other activity on multiple files, it's more convenient to select more than one at a time. For example, a common manner to practise this is by holding downwards the Ctrl button and clicking on the files to highlight them. However, sometimes, Windows glitches out, and you're unable to select several files at once.

While this is frustrating, we're hither to help. Here are seven troubleshooting steps you can take to restore your ability to select multiple files in Windows 10 and 11.

ane. Restart Your Calculator

The first affair you'd want to do is restart the computer and meet if that solves the trouble. Click on the Beginning and and so on the Power button. From the list of options, select Restart.

2. Make Sure It's Not a Keyboard Trouble

There are 2 keys that people use to select multiple files at in one case on Windows: the Shift and Ctrl keys. And so the side by side thing you should practise is make sure there'south cypher wrong with them. To see if the keys are working, bring up the on-screen keyboard and examination them.

To open the on-screen keyboard in Windows 10 or 11, press Win + R, enter osk in the Windows Run dialogue box, and then hit the Enter central. This will bring upward the virtual keyboard.

Windows Run with

To exam if the Shift key works, printing it and see if the respective key lights upwardly on the on-screen keyboard. If information technology doesn't bear witness that you're pressing the key on the virtual keyboard, then something might be incorrect with it. Exercise the aforementioned with the Ctrl key after yous're washed testing the Shift cardinal.

On-screen keyboard in Windows 11.

If you're not expert with fixing computers on the hardware side of things, you lot'll have to call a professional person to set the malfunctioning keys. If you're using a desktop computer, yous tin just go a new one.

3. Reset Folders Views in File Explorer

You might not be able to select multiple files because y'all've made some customizations to your Folder views in File Explorer, and all y'all have to practice is reset information technology and restore the default view settings.

Before resetting Folder views, be sure to create a system restore point. That mode, yous tin roll back to your previous customizations if the reset didn't fix the issue.

The start step here is to open up Folder Options. In Windows 10, open File Explorer and head click on the View tab on the top menu and select Options on the far correct.

View tab in Windows 10 File Explorer.

To open up Folder Options in Windows xi, open up File Explorer and click on the three dots on the right end of the top bill of fare and so select Options.

Selecting view options in File Explorer in Windows 11.

One time you've opened Binder Options, click on the View tab. Then, click the Reset Folders button. You'll get a prompt asking you if you desire to get ahead with resetting the folders, then click Yes.

Folder Options

iv. Delete Your Temp Files

Sometimes, temp files, which Windows creates to concur temporary information for a file that it or an installed program is currently creating or modifying, can interfere with your PC's operations, including selecting multiple files. Deleting them is completely safe, and it volition empty your desktop enshroud (the internet cache will remain untouched). So information technology'due south worth a try if you're unable to select multiple files in Windows.

To open the folder containing the temporary files, printing Win + R to open Windows Run. Type %temp% and hit Enter on your keyboard to open the Temp folder.

To delete all the temp files in Windows 10, await for the Select sub-menu on the far right and click on Select all.

Temp folder in Windows 10.

Then, click on Delete (the big scarlet X) in the Organize submenu to delete everything.

Deleting temp files in Windows 10.

In Windows 11, click on the three dots on the right of the top menu and click on Select all. Then, click on the trash bin icon in the master carte to delete the temp files.

Selecting all through the menu in Windows 11.

5. Use the File and Folder Troubleshooter

Y'all'll have to download the File and Folder Troubleshooter and install it (Microsoft doesn't pre-install information technology in Windows). After yous've downloaded the tool, double-click on information technology to open it. Then, just follow the instructions, and the File and Folder Troubleshooter volition automatically observe and fix whatsoever bug it finds.

file and folder troubleshooter in Windows 11.

6. Try Using Check Boxes

Using check boxes doesn't solve the problem, as it is more of a workaround, but it volition allow you to select multiple files before you endeavour whatsoever of the nuclear options. If you lot want to enable check boxes in Windows ten, open File Explorer and select the View tab. In the Testify/hibernate menu, tick Item cheque boxes.

Show/hide sub menu in File Explorer on Windows 10, with

To enable bank check boxes in Windows 11, open up File Explorer and and then click on View > Show > Item bank check boxes.

Enabling item checkboxes in Windows 11.

Now when yous hover over a file in either Windows x or 11, you will encounter a check box appear either on the left side or the top corner. To select multiple files that way, just click on their respective check boxes (non the files themselves).

seven. Reset Your Windows System

If you've tried everything and using check boxes isn't what you want, maybe resetting your Windows installation will assistance solve the problem. When y'all reset Windows, you'll return the Os to its factory default settings. Doing this volition help become rid of any rogue settings that are preventing you from selecting multiple files.

The dazzler about resetting your PC is that while information technology will delete all settings and apps, yous get the option to keep all your files and folders. You tin read our guides on how to reset Windows 10 or reset Windows 11. Y'all can also choose to just delete everything, but be sure to back up every important file and folder first so y'all don't lose everything.

Now You Tin can Select Multiple Files Again

Selecting multiple files by belongings down the Ctrl or Shift key is something that every Windows user should be able to do, as information technology'south fast and convenient. If you suddenly find yourself unable to do it, and so the above troubleshooting steps should help y'all restore that ability.

And if all else fails because you accept a corrupted Windows installation, you lot can just reinstall the entire OS.