Word only prints the document that’s open, but you don’t have to open and print a dozen files one by one. Windows can send several Word documents to the printer in a single step from File Explorer. This guide shows that method, its limits, and alternatives for large batches or when you want everything as one print job.
Quick Answer
Open the folder in File Explorer, select the documents (hold Ctrl and click each one, or Ctrl + A for all), right-click, and choose Print. On Windows 11, click Show more options first. Word opens each file and sends it to your default printer. Windows shows the Print option for up to 15 files at a time.
Print Multiple Documents From File Explorer
- Set your default printer first: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 11) or Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 10). The files print to the default printer with Word’s default settings.
- Open File Explorer and go to the folder with your documents.
- Select the files: Ctrl + click individual files, Shift + click a range, or Ctrl + A for everything.
- Right-click one of the selected files. On Windows 11, choose Show more options (or press Shift + F10).
- Click Print.
Word opens briefly for each document and prints it. Leave Word alone until it finishes. Files print in the order Windows processes them, usually the order they’re listed.
If Print is missing
- You selected more than 15 files. Select 15 or fewer at a time.
- Word isn’t the default app for .docx files. Right-click a file > Open with > Choose another app, pick Word, and check Always.
- You selected different file types together; select only Word documents.
Print Them as One Job
To print with specific settings (double-sided, stapled, page numbers across files), combine them first:
- Open a new blank document in Word.
- Go to Insert > Object (arrow) > Text from File.
- Select all the documents (hold Ctrl) and click Insert. Word adds them in the order they’re listed; rename files with numbers (01, 02…) to control the order.
- Add a page break (Ctrl + Enter) between documents if needed, then print once with the settings you want.
Other Options
- Print to PDF and combine: save each document as PDF (File > Save As > PDF), combine them in a PDF app, and print once.
- Mac: in Finder, select the documents and choose File > Print (or drag them onto a printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners if you’ve added the printer as a desktop app).
- Large batches: for dozens of files, a Word macro or PowerShell script can print every document in a folder. Test on a few files first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose settings like double-sided when printing from File Explorer?
Not per job. Set double-sided as a default in your printer’s preferences (Printers & scanners > your printer > Printing preferences), or combine the files and print from Word.
Does this work for PDFs too?
Yes, as long as your PDF app supports printing from the right-click menu.
Why did Word ask me questions during printing?
Documents with macros, tracked changes, or links may show prompts. Open and fix those files first, or print them individually.
Summary
- Set the default printer.
- Select up to 15 Word documents in File Explorer.
- Right-click and choose Print (Show more options on Windows 11).
- Combine files with Insert > Text from File for one print job.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.