Print All PDFs at Once Without Opening Each One | September 2025

Trying to print several PDFs at once, but Windows won’t cooperate? You’re not alone. Every day, thousands of people waste time opening and printing PDF files one by one. The good news? You can batch print all your PDFs with just a few clicks – if you know the right tricks.

Whether you need to print 5 files or 50, this guide shows you exactly how to print multiple PDFs at once without the headache. We’ll cover simple built-in Windows methods, fix common problems like the missing print option, and share professional tools that make printing multiple PDFs at once as easy as selecting and clicking print.

Why Can’t I Print Multiple PDFs at Once? The Real Problem Explained?

Here’s what’s really happening when you can’t print multiple PDFs from a folder at once:

Windows 11 Changed the Rules

Microsoft made a frustrating change in Windows 11. The right-click print option for PDFs is now hidden by default. This means when you select multiple PDF files and right-click, you won’t see the print option anymore.

The 15-File Limit Nobody Talks About

Windows has a secret limit – you can only print several files at once if you select 15 or fewer. Select 16 files? The print option disappears. This catches many people off guard when they’re trying to print large batches.

Your PDF Reader Matters

Not all PDF readers support batch printing. If you’re using Microsoft Edge or the basic Windows PDF viewer, you might be out of luck. You need a proper PDF reader installed to print all PDFs at once.

Method 1: The Hidden Right-Click Trick (Works in 30 Seconds)

This is the fastest way to print multiple PDFs at once – once you know where to look.

For Windows 10 Users:

1. Open File Explorer and find your PDF files
2. Select up to 15 PDFs (hold Ctrl and click each one)
3. Right-click on any selected file
4. Click “Print” from the menu
5. Your default printer will start printing immediately

For Windows 11 Users:

1. Select your PDF files (remember: 15 or fewer)
2. Right-click on the selection
3. Click “Show more options” at the bottom
4. Now you’ll see “Print” – click it
5. All selected files will print in order

Pro Tip: If you still don’t see the print option, you need to fix your printer settings or install a proper PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Method 2: Using the Windows Print Queue (No Software Needed)

This method lets you print multiple files at once Windows 11 without any extra software. It’s perfect for sending multiple PDFs to printer when the right-click method doesn’t work.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click “Bluetooth & devices” (Windows 11) or “Devices” (Windows 10)
3. Select “Printers & scanners”
4. Click on your printer name
5. Click “Open print queue”
6. Keep this window open

Now Add Your PDFs:

1. Open File Explorer in another window
2. Select all the PDFs you want to print
3. Drag and drop them into the print queue window
4. Click “Yes” when asked to print multiple files

This method works great for printing multiple files in bulk and has no file limit!

Method 3: Combine PDFs First, Then Print (Best for Large Batches)

When you need to print all PDFs at once from a folder with dozens of files, combining them first makes everything easier.

Using Windows Built-in Tools:

1. Select all your PDF files
2. Right-click and choose “Print to PDF”
3. This creates one combined PDF
4. Open and print the single file

Using Free Online Tools:

Many free websites let you merge PDFs:

1. Search for “merge PDF online”
2. Upload your files
3. Download the combined PDF
4. Print it normally

Important: Never upload sensitive documents to online tools. For private files, use desktop software or the Windows method above.

Method 4: Professional PDF Software (For Regular Use)

If you regularly need to print several PDFs at once, professional software saves hours of time.

Popular Options Include:

• Adobe Acrobat – The industry standard, includes batch printing
• PDFelement – More affordable, great batch features
• Print Conductor – Specifically designed for bulk printing

These programs let you:

• Print hundreds of files at once
• Set custom print orders
• Print different file types together
• Schedule printing jobs
• Print to multiple printers

Method 5: The Command Line Method (For Tech-Savvy Users)

Power users can print multiple PDFs from folder using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Navigate to your PDF folder
3. Use this command: for %f in (*.pdf) do print /d:”Your Printer Name” “%f”
4. Replace “Your Printer Name” with your actual printer

This method works for unlimited files and can be saved as a batch script for repeated use.

Troubleshooting: Fix Common Printing Problems

“Print Option Missing” – Quick Fix

If you can’t see the print option when selecting PDFs:

1. Install Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
2. Set it as your default PDF program
3. Restart your computer
4. Try again – the print option should appear

“Can’t Print More Than 15 Files” – Registry Edit

To print multiple files at once Windows 11 goes beyond the 15-file limit:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3. Find or create “MultipleInvokePromptMinimum”
4. Set value to 50 (or higher)
5. Restart your computer

“PDFs Print in Wrong Order”

Files print alphabetically by default. To control order:

1. Rename files with numbers (01-filename, 02-filename)
2. Or use PDF software with custom ordering
3. Or combine PDFs in the correct order first

Best Practices for Batch PDF Printing

Before You Print:

• Check your printer has enough paper and ink
• Close other programs to free up memory
• Put all PDFs in one folder for easy access
• Check your computer specs if printing is slow

Organize Your Files:

• Create a “To Print” folder on your desktop
• Move files there when ready to print
• Delete or move files after printing
• Keep file names short and simple

Save Time with Shortcuts:

• Create a desktop shortcut to your printer queue
• Use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+A to select all)
• Set up printer presets for common jobs
• Enable quick access to print functions

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Printing multiple PDFs doesn’t have to be a time-wasting nightmare. Whether you use the simple right-click method, the unlimited print queue technique, or professional software, you now have several ways to print several PDFs at once quickly and efficiently.

Start with Method 1 if you need a quick solution. For regular batch printing, invest in proper PDF software. And remember – if one method doesn’t work, try another. Different computers and printers sometimes need different approaches.

Ready to save hours of printing time? Pick your favorite method above and start batch printing your PDFs today. Your future self will thank you for learning these time-saving tricks!