# Loading multiple folders on launch
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [January 3, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690 "2009-01-03T02:25:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/1 "2009-01-03T02:25:23Z")
I use **mp3tag.exe /fp:** to launch loading a single folder but is there a way of loading multiple, e.g. an commandline equivalent of menu command **Add directory**? Thanks.
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/2 "2009-01-03T06:40:30Z")
I've read somewhere on the forum a proposal like this (not tested):
mp3tag.exe /fp:folder1
mp3tag.exe /fp:folder2
mp3tag.exe /fp:folder3
DD.20090103.0840.CET
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2009, 11:07am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/3 "2009-01-03T11:07:50Z")
Thanks, but that gives only what's expected - one folder at a time.
BTW, I find for even that to work one must include the folder path e.g. **mp3tag.exe /fp:c:\parentfolder\folder1**.
In general I use **"c:\program files\mp3tag\mp3tag.exe" /fp:"[folderpath]"**.
Any other suggestions for multiple folders? I see that ther4e is a solution for the Explorer right-click, but I cannot find the mp3tag command in Explorer File Types.
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2009, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/4 "2009-01-03T12:12:35Z")
Just an addendum to my postage above.
I've read this:
[Opening multiple files from batch/command-line](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/7436/2)
DD.20090103.1412.CET
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/5 "2009-01-03T13:15:08Z")
I'm baffled as to how that can work... but it is for files not folders.
I've worked around my need by making a playlist, but would still like to hear if there is a direct solution.
And if anyone cares to write complete documentation for the commandline switches, I'd be very pleased! I hereby pledge 20e.
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/6 "2009-04-02T21:08:30Z")
I would still really like to hear a way of doing this.
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/7 "2009-04-03T06:07:06Z")
I have this m3u file:
```
O:\MUSIK\ROCK\T\The Beatles\2000 - 1\02_FromMeToYou_TheBeatles_1_2000.mp3
O:\MUSIK\ROCK\T\The Beatles\2003 - Let It Be Naked\CD1\01_GetBack_TheBeatles_LIBNCD1_2003.mp3
O:\MUSIK\ROCK\T\Thin Lizzy\1978 - Live And Dangerous
```
and this cmd file:
```
@START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" "O:\TEST\Mp3tag.batch.m3u"
```
and got these files listed in Mp3tag:
```
02_FromMeToYou_TheBeatles_1_2000.mp3
01_GetBack_TheBeatles_LIBNCD1_2003.mp3
01_Jailbreak_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
02_Emerald_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
03_Southbound_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
04_Rosalie_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
05_DancingInTheMoonlight_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
06_Massacre_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
07_StillInLoveWithYou_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
08_JohnnyTheFoxMeetsJimmyTheWeed_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
09_CowboySong_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
10_TheBoysAreBackInTown_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
11_DontBelieveAWord_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
12_Warriors_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
13_AreYouReady_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
14_Suicide_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
15_ShaLaLa_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
16_BabyDrivesMeCrazy_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
17_TheRocker_ThinLizzy_LAD_1978.mp3
```
This works fine.
DD.20090403.1006.CEST
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2009, 9:26am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/8 "2009-04-03T09:26:43Z")
> I have this m3u file:
Thanks for the suggestion - I have a similar one. As I said:
> [@](#):
>
> I've worked around my need by making a playlist
but
> [@](#):
>
> but would still like to hear if there is a direct solution.
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/9 "2009-04-03T19:14:15Z")
As an example ... this cmd file starts one instance of Mp3tag displaying all the files from the two folders:
```
@START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Killswitch Engage\2005 - The End Of Heartache\"
@START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Kim Wilde\1995 - Now & Forever\"
```
As another example ... this cmd file does the same by looping through all the parameters from the given commandline:
```
@For %%p in (%*) DO @START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"%%~p"
```
... typing this on the commandline:
```
Mp3tag.batch.cmd "O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Killswitch Engage\2005 - The End Of Heartache\" "O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Kim Wilde\1995 - Now & Forever\"
```
DD.20090403.2337.CEST
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/10 "2009-07-06T21:25:15Z")
QUOTE (DetlevD @ Apr 3 2009, 22:14) \<{POST\_SNAPBACK}\>
As an example ... this cmd file starts one instance of Mp3tag displaying all the files from the two folders:
```
@START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Killswitch Engage\2005 - The End Of Heartache\"
@START "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Kim Wilde\1995 - Now & Forever\"Thanks, but it is worth noting that relies on the first command still executing when the second starts. If it has finished (e.g. try the two at the DOS prompt), then the second wipes the Mp3tag tracklist.
```
I would welcome Mp3tag supporting a reliable method e.g. /cd and /ad as per the File menu.
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/11 "2009-07-07T05:41:19Z")
> [@chrisjj](#):
>
> ... If it has finished (e.g. try the two at the DOS prompt), then the second wipes the Mp3tag tracklist. ...
This is not true. You should try the example script as intended.
> [@chrisjj](#):
>
> ... I would welcome Mp3tag supporting a reliable method e.g. /cd and /ad as per the File menu.
Mp3tag is not a simple batch executable file, but a windows application. Once the Mp3tag application is invoked it will get terminated only by user intervention pressing Alt-F4 or clicking the window close button or choosing close command from the file menu. (There is no commandline parameter known, that can kill the running application from a DOS commandline.)
Therefore you can use a batch file, as I did it in the examples in the previous posts, for multiple invocations of "Mp3tag /fp" commands to get all the wanted files and folders into one listview.
As you easily can see the Mp3tag commandline parameter /fp supports reading in a single file and reading a complete folder too.
DD.20090707.0940.CEST
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2009, 8:05am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/12 "2009-07-07T08:05:20Z")
> > If it has finished (e.g. try the two at the DOS prompt),
> > then the second wipes the Mp3tag tracklist. ...
> > This is not true.
Did you actually try at the DOS prompt, Detlev?
---
### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2009, 8:34am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/13 "2009-07-07T08:34:47Z")
> [@chrisjj](#):
>
> ... Did you actually try at the DOS prompt, Detlev?
I will try again.
Is there any difference between directly executing Mp3tag.exe on commandline against executing from within the batch process?
I got it both together in Mp3tag when coding this commandline:
```
"%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Killswitch Engage\2005 - The End Of Heartache\"&"%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" /fp:"O:\MUSIK\ROCK\K\Kim Wilde\1995 - Now & Forever\"
```
I am unsure.
It looks a bit like if Mp3tag does not know how to detect itself's running instance.
Despite all the tricks it seems a good way to have some handy native commandline parameters.
Mp3tag.exe /fp:""
Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) in the specified directory using the directory as working directory
starting with a fresh filelist as defined
- maybe with modifier: This folder only / Including subfolders
- maybe with path and file wildcards
Mp3tag.exe /fn:""
Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) with the specified audio file using the directory of the file as working directory
starting with a fresh filelist as defined
- maybe with file wildcards
Mp3tag.exe /add /fp:""
Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) in the specified directory using the directory as working directory adding new entries to the existing filelist.
- maybe with modifier: This folder only / Including subfolders
- maybe with path and file wildcards
Mp3tag.exe /add /fn:""
Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) with the specified audio file using the directory of the file as working directory adding new entries to the existing filelist.
- maybe with file wildcards
Mp3tag.exe /del /fp:""
Mp3tag.exe /del /fn:""
Uses running instance of Mp3tag and deletes/removes the defined entries.
- maybe with path and file wildcards
- maybe with file wildcards
... hmm, m3u files should be respected too.
DD.20090707.1320.CEST
---
### Author:  [@chrisjj](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chrisjj)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/14 "2009-07-07T13:15:14Z")
> Is there any difference between directly executing Mp3tag.exe
> on commandline against executing from within the batch process?
Yes. When executing on the command line, the small delay between commands can cause the second one to wipe the files of the first.
> I got it both together in Mp3tag when coding this commandline:
Nice trick. That works fine here, and not just for folder - for track files and m3u files too:
> [@](#):
>
> "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" "q:\a.wma" & "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" "Q:\b.wma"
> "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" "q:\a.m3u" & "%ProgramFiles%\Mp3tag\Mp3tag.exe" "Q:\b.m3u"
> Despite all the tricks it seems a good way to have some handy native commandline parameters.
Agreed, but I do not see how your suggested change to the behaviour of /fp would accomodate the existing Explorer shell integration requirement. Hence I would prefer my suggestion of addtional switches.
> ... hmm, m3u files should be respected too.
Agreed.
---
### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/loading-multiple-folders-on-launch/7690/15 "2016-11-29T12:53:52Z")
More then 7 years later:
> [@DetlevD](#):
>
> Despite all the tricks it seems a good way to have some handy native commandline parameters.
> ...
> Mp3tag.exe /add /fp:""
> Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) in the specified directory using the directory as working directory adding new entries to the existing filelist.
>
> Mp3tag.exe /add /fn:""
> Starts Mp3tag (if it is not already running) with the specified audio file using the directory of the file as working directory adding new entries to the existing filelist.
**Any chance that we ever see this in a future version?**
BTW:
VLC has an [impressive list of commandline options](https://wiki.videolan.org/VLC_command-line_help) including:
--playlist-enqueue, --no-playlist-enqueue
Enqueue items to playlist when in one instance mode
(default disabled)
When using the one instance only option, enqueue items to playlist and keep playing current item.
(default disabled)