Although there is no built-in way to print a directory listing (all the filenames in a folder), there is a way to add this functionality to Windows 95. Here's how you do it:

Open a text editor, such as Notepad, and type the following two lines into a new document: (assuming the printer you wish to use is connected to printer port #1).

CD %1 DIR >LPT1

Save the two-line file into your Windows\Command folder, and call it PRINTDIR.BAT.

Find the file in Explorer, right click on it, and select Properties.

Click on the Program tab, turn on the Close on Exit option, choose Minimized from the Run list, and click OK.

Next, run the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE).

Open My Computer\ HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ Folder\ shell.

Select New from the Edit menu, and then select Key.

Type "Print" for the name of this new key, and press Enter.

Highlight the new Print key, select New from the Edit menu, and then select Key again.

Type "command" for the name of this new key, and press Enter.

Double-click on the (default) value in the right pane, and type "C:\Windows\Command\PRINTDIR.BAT %1" (assuming that C:\Windows\ is your Windows 95 directory).

From now on, when you right-click on a folder icon, you can click Print to print its contents.

Note: this assumes that your printer is connected to the LPT1 port, which is true for most users. However, if your printer is connected over a network or you have more than one printer, you need to change LPT1 to the correct port. The command shown above can also work to print your directory listing to a file instead of sending it to the printer. Simply substitute a path and textfile name for LPT1, for example:

DIR >C:\windows\desktop\dir.txt.

Using this syntax, the directory listing text file will automatically be created.

WARNING!! This is a REGISTRY HACK! And as such, you MUST FIRST make a backup of your Registry so that you can recover from any mistakes you might make. The Registry is a very unforgiving place if you don't know EXACTLY what you are doing. An incorrect Registry entry can render your entire system INOPERABLE. DO NOT attempt to change Registry settings without a Backup. Don't say we didn't warn you...

The Configuration Backup Utility is one of the CD-Extras, so if you don't have the CD-ROM version of Windows 95, CLICK HERE to download it now.