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I ran into a little snag trying to get only the filenames (no extensions or file paths) recursively.This worked for me in the root folder:

dir /b

But when i added /s to scan recursively i also got file paths before filenames which i do not want. Is there a way to get bare filenames from all subfolders in a directory?

Im on Windows 7 x64 I'd rather use regular command prompt not PS or VBS

TMRW
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4 Answers4

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Use the following command:

dir /b /a /s
  • /b strips the date and other details from the output
  • /a only outputs the filename, no paths
  • /s enables a recursive directory listing

If you need to save the output to a file, you can use:

dir /b /a /s >> list_of_names.txt

EDIT Actually the above solution doesn't reach the original question's goals. One thing I did notice from the question is that the post asks for recursive listing. which the other answer lacks so I think adding "/s" in the other answerer's answer will do the trick

for /f %a in ('dir /b /s') do @echo %~na
Nik So
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  • Could you explain this? To me it makes little sense. – Simon Sheehan Nov 08 '11 at 23:27
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    This doesn't work, /a doesn't work like that - it's a filter for which type of files you want to list. It doesn't strip the path from the filename when doing a recursive directory listing. – Gaff Nov 09 '11 at 02:28
  • edited the answer; and just got my hands on a windows box again, I think this time should do it (win732bit) – Nik So Nov 09 '11 at 05:27
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Try this:

for /f "delims=" %a in ('dir /b /s') do @echo %~na

More information on how for works and what it's doing, type for /?

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Multiverse IT
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  • This almost works but there's a big problem.It only outputs the first word of a filename.If a filename is for example "my vacation image 1" then it only outputs "my" – TMRW Jun 08 '11 at 04:10
  • try this: for /f "delims=|" %a in ('dir /b') do @echo %~na. By default the /f parameter of FOR will tokenize on spaces. Setting the token to a character that shouldn't appear in file/directory names will give you the entire name including spaces. – Scott McKinney Nov 08 '11 at 22:17
  • If you want the output sent to a file, append `>> filename.txt` – Gruber Oct 01 '19 at 14:26
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for /r %i in (*) do @echo %~ni

or

forfiles /s /c "cmd /c if @isdir==FALSE noquotes.bat @fname"

assuming a file noquotes.bat in your %PATH% with this content

@echo %~1

for /r approach explained

for /r walks the current directory recursively (you can specify a directory for /r drive:\path\, the current directory is assumed) and executes the command specified by do for each file matched in the set (*). The set (.) would match only directories. @echo %~ni This command works as-is from the prompt. Double up on your quotes if you put it inside a batch file. i.e. for /r %%i in (*) do @echo %%~ni

forfiles approach explained

/s enumerates the current and all subdirectories
/c executes the command inside the quotes
@isdir and @fname is a symbol emitted into the command string
The extra batch file noquotes.bat helps by stripping the double-quotes with %~1 (parameter 1)
forfiles also allows you to specify a path to start at forfiles /P C:\Windows ...

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JJS
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  • @DavidPostill yes, it was a poor answer. Thanks for your comments. Please let me know if I can improve my answer further. – JJS Jul 26 '16 at 23:46
  • @DavidPostill you have no previous answer or comment. were you moderating questions, or looking for an answer and stumble over my poor quality answer? – JJS Jul 26 '16 at 23:51
  • Your answer popped up in the "Low Quality Posts" review queue. As I know a lot about batch files I took a close at it. – DavidPostill Jul 27 '16 at 06:53
  • @DavidPostill thanks for your review. I welcome your review of the changes I made to my answer. – JJS Jul 27 '16 at 14:17
  • Much better ... :) – DavidPostill Jul 27 '16 at 14:20
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List all files, bare, recursively, using attributes (not directory) (files only)

dir /B /S /A:-D

C:\test\cache>dir /B /S /A:-D

C:\test\cache\7\0f\7b50ed0522645513da90345120eaf0f7 C:\test\cache\d\23\814644aa6a8195c91e54d2f7bb64e23d

Brandon Hunt
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  • The question says that the OP is “trying to get only the filenames (no extensions or file paths).  …  But when I [tried `dir /b /s`] to scan recursively, I also got file paths before filenames, which I do not want.” So, you are telling the OP to try a trivial variation on what they’ve already tried, and your answer demonstrates that it produces the same result as when the OP tried it (i.e., not what they want). – Scott - Слава Україні Apr 27 '19 at 23:24