Want to merge two or more folders in Windows? It is pretty easy to do using the File Explorer and nothing else. Here’s how.
Windows makes it easy to manage files and folders using the File Explorer application. For example, you can create new files, copy and move files & folders, create folders, delete files, and more. Basically, you can do almost anything to manage all your files and folders better.
It’s not every day, but there will be situations where you need to merge folders in the Windows operating system. For example, I recently downloaded a copy of photos from Google Drive. I got them as two ZIP files due to the number of files and the overall size. So, I needed to extract the ZIP files to a folder and merge them so that all the files are there where they should be.
Though the task is simple, it is not obvious if this is your first-time merging folders. After all, there is no visible option you can click to get the job done. The good thing is that it is pretty easy, and you don’t have to use any third-party software. You can use the good old File Explorer to merge folders in Windows.
So, let me show you the steps to merge folders using File Explorer in the Windows operating system without much delay.
Important note: The steps shown are in Windows 11, but they work the same in Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Merge folders in Windows
To merge folders in Windows, you don’t have to use any third-party software. You can use File Explorer. Let me show you how.
- First, find the folder you want to merge.
- Open one of the folders of your choice.
- Select all files and folders with the “Ctrl + A” shortcut.
- Press the “Ctrl + C” shortcut to copy the selected content.
- Go to the second folder.
- Paste the content with “Ctrl + V.”
- Windows will now start the transfer.
- If you see duplicate files prompt, choose to replace or skip.
- Once the transfer is done, the two folders are merged.
- Verify the contents and delete the second folder if needed.
The first thing to do is find both folders you want to merge. You can do that using File Explorer. Next, open one of the folders, and press the “Ctrl + A” shortcut to select all the files and folders. You can also use your mouse to choose the content.
Press the “Ctrl + C” to copy all the selected files and folders.
After copying the files, go to the second folder and press the “Ctrl + V” shortcut. This action will paste the files you copied earlier.
If there are duplicate files, Windows will show a prompt. Choose to replace or skip according to your use case.
Once done, all the files are merged in the second folder. Verify the contents and delete the other folder, if needed.
That is it. With that, you have merged folders in Windows.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
