Search entire HD
#1 : 23/01-17 21:37 David Putnam
Posts: 2
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I want to search my entire C: drive for files with a "#" in it such as "filename#" and then do a mass replace so that the filename is changed to "filename_". I cannot figure how to have the program search the entire C drive for all files and show/"add" only those files that have a "#". Once I can do that, it /b easy to do a mass/batch replace of "#" with "_". Any help w/b appreciated.
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#2 : 23/01-17 22:22 G. Lambany
Posts: 187
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Reply to #1:
The windows explorer search doesn't seems to like #, but locate32 (a file search utility) seems to be just fine with it. http://locate32.cogit.net/ You need to build a database with that one, but it's a very fast, free and lightweight file search. You might want to find another one if that doesn't suit your needs then once the database is built, search for the # you where talking about, then drag and drop the results in AR use a simple replace method to replace the # with _ cheers |
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#3 : 24/01-17 17:53 David Putnam
Posts: 2
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Reply to #2: Thanks...I can get NO file searcher to find filenames containing "#". Opus. Locate 32. Explorer. None of them will show me ONLY those filenames that contain "#" . They all show filenames that do NOT contain "#" as well as those that do. I can only surmise they are finding files that have a "#" somewhere in the actual file...which is NOT what I want. I have tried various search conventions: #, '#', "#", *#*, *'#'*, *"#"* not one yields ONLY the filenames containing a # somewhere in the filename.
The install directions in readme.txt for Locate32 have stumped me - they say to go to Control Panel "Add/Remove Programs". Windows 7 contains no such option in Control Panel - only uninstall. So it is impossible to follow these directions. How did you get Locate32 to a) install, b) create the first database and then c) locate filenames containing "#". The readme.txt is totally opaque.... I am totally stumped...and it should not be this hard.....two days trying to figure this out...what a waste! (I have a screen capture - but this forum prohibits pasting it) |
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#4 : 24/01-17 18:14 G. Lambany
Posts: 187
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Reply to #3:
Well, I assure you, I tested it, Locate32 does find files with # in the filename (not inside the file). To install locate32, simply copy it somewhere in your drive, since it's a "portable" app.. so, no need to install. I create an app folder on my windows drive named c:\apps_local\ and put all those (I use many, many "portable" software) there, as long with my own automation and custom script.. but any folders will do. once you copied it, just right-click drag and drop the exe file (locate32.exe) onto the desktop and select the "create shortcut here" option then, start locate32, go to settings, in the database tab, create a database with the "new" button, then choose where to save the database (I suggest where locate32 is, with the default name of database.dbs) in the "File" field, then put the "Include" section to "custom" and select only the C:\ drive... then save those settings update the database (will take a while) with the File menu on the main interface then search with the main locate32 window.. sorry if this is complicated, but this is one free, fast (once you're familiar with the software) method that I was sure worked cheers |
#5 : 24/01-17 23:10 Tester123
Posts: 92
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Reply to #1:
An alternative free file searching tool is File Locator Lite: https://www.mythicsoft.com/filelocatorlite It can be made into a portable app by changing some of the config, but it comes as an installer by default. It's a cut down version of its more capable big brother File Locator Pro, which is not free, but the Lite version should be able to search for # files without having to build a database. |