Searching folders on Network Drive

[DoubleK]

Is there a way to search a directory structure in Windows to identify which folders have files in them?

I'm trying to chase down some files and it's taking forever to open each folder to find nothing.

[ken0042]

To a certain extent you could use Windirstat.
http://download.cnet.com/WinDirStat/...-10614593.html

It's meant to help you identify what folders have large files, but would do the trick.

[DoubleK]

Thx. I will see if IT will let me use it

[Fuzz]

Hold down shift and right click the root folder you want to search in explorer. Select "open command window here." Type

tree /f >files.txt

This will make a text file in that folder of the entire directory tree below it. You can then search or browse through it.

[DoubleK]

That's amazing and exactly what I need. Thanks

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Hold down shift and right click the root folder you want to search in explorer. Select "open command window here." Type

tree /f >files.txt

This will make a text file in that folder of the entire directory tree below it. You can then search or browse through it.

Tree will only give the directory structure, not files, correct?

maybe in the command window would be better?
dir /s > files.txt

[Fuzz]

The /f switch gives files.

[DoubleK]

On a completely different note, why wouldn't this come up in a Google search? I did that before I posted here.

[Fuzz]

Not sure, other than perhaps my knowledge is vastly greater than Google's? That's my best guess, anyway.

[GoinAllTheWay]

That's a neat trick Fuzz, thanks. Are you in IT or just an advanced user?

[Fuzz]

I work at a small company, so IT is my "other" job. I fell into the role because I had plenty of personal experience, and gave it a shot. So I built everything on our network from scratch, servers, all the PC's...I know a bit about most aspects, domain admin, VM's, simple programming, website design, networking, learned as I went. I've got better uptime than the Microsoft cloud! I'm also the guy everyone comes to with problems like "I need a list of all the folders on the network drive" and stuff like that. It's probably 10% of my time, so it adds some nice variety.

[DoubleK]

I used this again today. So thanks again.

Good thing I didn't agree to a royalty. . .

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I used this again today. So thanks again.

Good thing I didn't agree to a royalty. . .

FYI.. Basically, the shell commands can use the "/?" switch for a breakdown of what different switches / flags can be used and their functions. Also if there isn't too much stuff to sift through, instead of dumping to a text file with " > stuff.txt", can add " | more" at the end to add page breaks you can move through with a key press.. both handy if you're following steps in some recommended fix (lot of network issues) that a bunch of require command prompt commands and you'd like to get a better understanding of what's being accomplished

[Fuzz]

The nice thing about dumping it to a text file is it is searchable. I also often open it in Excel, and you can create batch commands like renaming, or making directories based on the file names from the list. So if I end up with a list like:

file 1
file 2
file 3
file 4
file 5

I can add a column with "rename" and fill down, and another column with text that I want to add before or after(say, the date or whatever). Make a concatenate formula if needed, then I can just copy and paste it back in a command window and rename a bunch of files all at once. Or move them or whatever. Handy when you have thousands of files.

[oilyfan]

That my friend is a great tip! thanks. I have screwed around with batch renamers, but they all depend on some sort of logic. It's better this way because you can change individual ones independently. what is the command to rename the batch?

[Fuzz]

Sorry, not sure I get the question? Basically each row in excel is command, so once you fill the sheet you can just copy and paste into the command window, or put it in a bat file. It runs each line separately.

[DoubleK]

Used it again!!!

[Hack&Lube]

WinDirStat also gives you a graphical overview of the types of files in each folder and how your network drives are broken down. IT is probably happy you are searching yourself and haven't asked them to do it for you!

[cam_wmh]

Fuzz, you're a gentleman AND a scholar.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

WinDirStat also gives you a graphical overview of the types of files in each folder and how your network drives are broken down. IT is probably happy you are searching yourself and haven't asked them to do it for you!

Does this software identify duplicates?

Or can anyone suggest a good application that would identify duplicates?