# How to open a default set of files located in different directories
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [May 28, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643 "2025-05-28T18:20:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MP3TaggingJ](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MP3TaggingJ)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/1 "2025-05-28T18:20:12Z")
Running version 3.29 under Windows 10, as well as with previous versions, I am unable to open the app and have it display the universe of files contained in multiple different directories. I can select them with the "add directory" option, but the next time I open the app, it will not display the files in all of them, and I have to add them again.
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/2 "2025-05-28T18:57:49Z")
You can open an M3U playlist that contains the paths to the various directories you want to load.
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### Author:  [@MP3TaggingJ](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MP3TaggingJ)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/3 "2025-05-28T20:06:32Z")
I launch MP3Tag by opening the executable at C:\Program Files\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe from a shortcut in my Windows Start Menu. As soon as I do, it starts "reading directory," and defaults to my entire "My Music" folder, and not the last open directory, or the set of directories with files I want to work with.
Are you suggesting that I can create an M3U playlist, and add the file path as an argument for the startup command, so that MP3tag will read the file and open those directories instead? If so, can you provide a link to an article or post that would explain how to create such an M3U file?
Finally, I just noticed something that I had not realized previously. Even after opening the program, and cancelling the initial scan, I can't get the interface to display the contents of various directories. It will only show one at a time. I thought I'd been able to do that at some time in the past, but probably was wrong.
So, that raises a different, but related, question. Regardless of what is displayed immediately when I open the app, once open, how can I show the contents of multiple directories?
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/4 "2025-05-28T20:18:07Z")
> [@MP3TaggingJ](#):
>
> Are you suggesting that I can create an M3U playlist, and add the file path as an argument for the startup command, so that MP3tag will read the file and open those directories instead?
Yes, you can just create a file in Notepad with one directory path per line, e.g.,
```plaintext
C:\Users\florian\Music\Folder 1
C:\Users\florian\Music\Folder 2
C:\Users\florian\Music\Folder 3
```
and save it as `Folders.m3u8` using UTF-8 encoding.
You can then use `Mp3tag.exe /fn:""` to load that playlist.
> [@MP3TaggingJ](#):
>
> Regardless of what is displayed immediately when I open the app, once open, how can I show the contents of multiple directories?
You can either use **File → Add directory…** Ctrl+H or use drag and drop while holding the Ctrl key down.
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### Author:  [@MP3TaggingJ](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MP3TaggingJ)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2025, 5:44am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/5 "2025-05-29T05:44:03Z")
Although you expected it would, I'm happy to report that this worked. Thanks very much for your help, and particularly for providing it so promptly and in such a clear and well-written way.
Since I've used MP3Tag for years, even though not frequently, I've decided that I should take this opportunity to express my appreciation for what you've created, so you should, if PayPal doesn't fail us, find a new donation awaiting you. It's not much, but then again, I don't have much.
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2025, 6:32am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/6 "2025-05-29T06:32:41Z")
Excellent — glad you got it working!
> [@MP3TaggingJ](#):
>
> find a new donation awaiting you
Thank you! I've just sent a personal thank you via email 🙂
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2025, 6:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-to-open-a-default-set-of-files-located-in-different-directories/68643/7 "2025-06-28T06:33:25Z")
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