Find file recursively under Windows (dir /s not suitable)

Question

I need find a file in Windows under command line, but receive results as a table. Similar to windowed version of find, where we have last column, displaying location.

dir /s doesn't match this requirement, because it enters each directory and reports this in separate header, leaving file list as usual.

Probably not possible using the command line. You could build something using PowerShell. — Seth, Feb 17 '17 at 11:30
Would this do: *Get-ChildItem -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Recurse c:\ -Filter "filetosearch.exe" | select Directory* — HelpingHand, Feb 17 '17 at 13:40
Maybe: *Get-ChildItem -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Recurse c:\ -Filter "filetosearch.exe" | select Directory,Name,LastWriteTime | format-table* etc... — HelpingHand, Feb 17 '17 at 13:47

score 37 · Answer 1 · edited Jan 28 '21 at 15:28

37

You can use where.exe

where /r c:\windows ntoskrnl.exe

or, with wildcards:

where /r c:\windows ntoskr*

edited Jan 28 '21 at 15:28

whiskeychief

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answered Jan 23 '19 at 23:24

Axel Rietschin

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This is an excellent solution. I have used Windows' `where` as Unix `which` equivalent for a long time, but I did not know until now that is also (somewhat) capable to replace `find` . – jschreiner Nov 19 '20 at 15:43

score 20 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 13 '18 at 13:37

20

If the headers are the only problem in your case, use the /B switch.

dir filename.ext /S /B

A list of all files matching the filename along with their location is printed.

answered Feb 13 '18 at 13:37

Pradeep

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score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 17 '19 at 04:51

-1

dir filename.* /S /B

Finds all the matches for the string filename. Displays src and include files

answered Sep 17 '19 at 04:51

user1090885

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Can you explain why you think that answers the question? – RalfFriedl Sep 17 '19 at 05:18
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Duplicate of answer given over a year ago by @Pradeep, above – RufusVS Dec 17 '19 at 22:46

Find file recursively under Windows (dir /s not suitable)

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