search for all files by filename but show result as folders

I want to search for all files with filename contain word e.g. "web"
but show the result of those filenames as the containing folder of those files
so I can move all those folders containing those files..

e.g.
file1-web.mp4
file2-web.mp4

These files above are in separate folders
e.g.
folder1
folder2


The problem is windows search in explorer only shows the results as filenames...
I then need to right click > open file location to be able to move those folders that contain those files..
If select all those files in results and move them, then the containing folders will remain.

Is there any way to show the search result as the containing folders of those filenames?

You can use robocopy form the command prompt:

robocopy {Source} {Destination} *web* /s

dalchina said:

Is that only applicable to a single source folder, or recursively for all subfolders?
And how long might that take for a large number of files and folders?

Recursively to all sub-folders of the source folder. The copy process takes the normal time it would take for any copy process on Windows it depends on how large and how many files there are and how fast your hard disk is.

dalchina said:

Hi, I can suggest a way to go from this:

- result of search for file, results in two folders to this:


- where the paths to the containing folders are all found and copied in 2 or 3 clicks.

1. Install this to add selectable context menu options (free)
Download Path Copy Copy 19.0

Accept the defaults.

2. Perform your search, select all found items, and rt click them.
Look for and select this option:


Your clipboard now contains the paths of all found folders.

With all the paths in the clipboard..
How do you then move all those folders?

What are the next steps?

- - - Updated - - -

ricardobohner said:

You can use robocopy form the command prompt:

robocopy {Source} {Destination} *web* /s

just tested it with some samples
the command only copies the folders but not move it.
how would I move those folders?

- - - Updated - - -

KeithM said:

No good way through the Windows UI.

But easy enough through PowerShell:

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique

will retrieve the DirectoryNames of every file matching *web* and the -Unique .parameter of Select-Object eliminates duplicate DirectoryNames.

You could then move those folders by piping the result to Move-Item:

Code:

gci *.ps1 -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique | Move-Item -Destination 'c:\where\ever

'

Your second command does not work
Can you test with some sample and post a sample code that works..

I tried your second command and it gives error
e.g.

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique > test.ps1

Code:

 gci test.ps1 -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique | Move-Item -Destination 'm:\web'

also tried this

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique | Move-Item -Destination "m:\web"

madmax2 said:

Your second command does not work
Can you test with some sample and post a sample code that works..

I tried your second command and it gives error
e.g.

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique > test.ps1

Code:

 gci test.ps1 -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique | Move-Item -Destination 'm:\web'

also tried this

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select DirectoryName -Unique | Move-Item -Destination "m:\web"

Mea culpa! Was posting too late. Code has been fixed in original post as well.

Code:

gci *web* -Recurse | select -expand Directory -Unique | Move-Item -Destination 'C:\web'  -WhatIf

Link to MS documetation for Move-Item added to original as well.