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PowerShell search files/folder names with regex


Searching files with regex will come in handy provided you know the pattern you want to look for.

Searching for files that you don't have any clue or idea which one to find is such a dreadful situation.

Regex will help to filter files base on the pattern set from a fragmented memory due to multi-tasking world.

For example, you are quite sure that the file you're looking for starts with s and followed by letter k.

So files like skype_password.txt, skew animation.mp4, skbanner.logo, skin.css, skilled-listing.docx or any files that begins with "sk" will be filtered.

Here's the PowerShell code to do it:

#===================

$regx_filters = get-childitem "c:\all_files_n_rumble\" -recurse | where-object {$_.name -match '^s[k]' }
Write-Output $regx_filters

 #===================

To get folder or directory names with regex:

#===================

$regexPattern ="^l[i]"
Get-ChildItem -Path "c:\all_folder_n_mixes\" -Recurse | Where-Object {$_.PSIsContainer  -eq $true -and $_.BaseName -match $regexPattern }

#===================

This will match folder names beginning with "l" and next letter is "i", folder names like Linux, Linkedin, Linkage, libro, link folders, live songs, live site folders or basically any folders beginning with "li" as their folder names.

Just replace the regex pattern to find the files you're searching for.


Cheers! Till next time.


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