How to search through multiple directories and list folders that don't contain a specific file type?

[mkrsticch]

How to search through multiple directories and list folders that don't contain a specific file type?

Is there a plugin to find folders that don't contain files with a specific extension or I can achieve this using regular expressions?

[hi5]

You can use |, so to find all folders that don't have any png files in them

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|*.png

Open the search and press F1 or the help button for some more examples with |

[tuska]

For example, when using the 'Everything' tool, the search in Total Commander is as follows --> field "Search for":

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ev:folder: !child:*.jpg

Explanation:

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*.jpg = Specific file type
ev: 	Total Commander parameter, to be able to use the parameters of tool 'Everything' in Total Commander. 
folder: Modifier, match folders only.
!	NOT
child:  https://www.voidtools.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10176#child

---

Windows 11 Pro (x64) Version 22H2 (OS build Build 22621.2134)
TC 11.00 x64/x86 | Search queries: TC <=> 'Everything'
'Everything' 1.5.0.1355a (x64) | 'Everything' 1.4.1.1024 (x64)

[Dalai]

You can use FileInDir with its field DirFiles.

Regards
Dalai

[mkrsticch]

Here's the situation:

I have a directory path: c:\temp\, which contains 5 subfolders named dir1, dir2, dir3, dir4, and dir5. Among these subfolders, I've placed some PNG files only in dir1, dir3, and dir5, while dir2 and dir4 remain empty.

When I utilize the native Total Commander search query *.png to find all folders containing PNG files, the search results are as expected:

[3 files and 0 directories found]
c:\temp\dir1\001.png
c:\temp\dir3\003.png
c:\temp\dir5\005.png

However, the challenge arises when I attempt a search query |*.png to list folders that do not have any PNG files inside. The search results I get are quite different from what I anticipated:

[0 files and 5 directories found]
[c:\temp\dir1]
[c:\temp\dir2]
[c:\temp\dir3]
[c:\temp\dir4]
[c:\temp\dir5]

This outcome isn't aligned with my expectations. Ideally, I should have received:

[0 files and 2 directories found]
[c:\temp\dir2]
[c:\temp\dir4]

As you can see, my goal is to identify folders that lack a specific file type using Total Commander's native search query or possibly a plugin such as FileInDir or tc plugin.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my query and offer your valuable advice.

[Dalai]

As I said: It should work with the FileInDir plugin set to

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fileindir | DirFiles | !contains | .png

Note that wildcards should be omitted here. You might want to adapt the search term to your needs, e.g. leaving the leading dot out, maybe change the operator to regex or similar.

[EDIT]
Operator changed from != to !contains.
[/EDIT]

Regards
Dalai

[tuska]

Alt+Shift+F7: Find Files (separate) > Tab "Plugins"

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☑️ Search in plugins    ◉ OR (any match)   <-- !!

Plugin:   fileindir
Property: DirFiles
OP:	  !contains
Value:	  .png (and NOT *.png!)

Click on button "More rules" ...

Plugin:   filex
Property: EmptyDir
OP:	  =
Value:	  Yes

Click on button "Start search".

---

Plugin "FileInDir 2.0.0.2" | Plugin "FileX" - Download FileX23.zip
A double click in Total Commander(!) on the .zip file starts the plugin installation...

[mkrsticch]

Code: Select all

☑️ Search in plugins    ◉ OR (any match)   <-- !!

Plugin:   fileindir
Property: DirFiles
OP:	  !contains
Value:	  .png (and NOT *.png!)

Click on button "More rules" ...

Plugin:   filex
Property: EmptyDir
OP:	  =
Value:	  Yes

Thanks tuska, it works for me!

[tuska]

Thanks tuska, it works for me!

I'm pleased.

Thanks to Dalai for pointing out the plugin "FileInDir".

[mkrsticch]

Code: Select all

☑️ Search in plugins ◉ AND (all match)

Plugin: tc
Property: ext
OP: !contains
Value: png

"More rules" ...

Plugin: filex
Property: EmptyDir
OP: =
Value: Yes

The plugin combination above also does a job.

Thank you all for your help!