How to list all PNG images in a sub directory?

How to List All PNG Images in a Subdirectory Using a Windows Batch File

Learn to efficiently locate and list all PNG image files within a specified directory and its subdirectories using a simple Windows batch script.

Finding specific file types, especially images, across multiple nested folders can be a common task for Windows users. While graphical interfaces offer search functionalities, a batch file provides a powerful, automatable, and repeatable solution. This article will guide you through creating a simple yet effective batch script to list all PNG images within a target directory and its subdirectories.

Understanding the Core Command: FOR /R

The heart of our batch script lies in the FOR /R command. This command is incredibly versatile for iterating through files in a directory tree. Let's break down its components:

• FOR: The primary command for looping.
• /R: This switch tells FOR to recurse into subdirectories. Without it, FOR would only process files in the current directory.
• %variable: A placeholder for the current file being processed in each iteration. We'll typically use %%f in batch files.
• IN (set): Specifies the set of files to iterate over. This is where we define our search pattern, like *.png.
• DO command: The action to perform for each file found.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Batch Script] --> B{"Specify Target Directory?"}
    B -->|Yes| C[Set Target Directory]
    B -->|No| D[Use Current Directory]
    C --> E[Execute FOR /R Command]
    D --> E
    E --> F{"File Found (e.g., *.png)?"}
    F -->|Yes| G[Echo Full File Path]
    F -->|No| H[Continue Search]
    G --> E
    H --> I[End of Directory Tree]
    I --> J[End Script]

Workflow for listing files recursively using a batch script.

Creating the Batch Script

Now, let's put this knowledge into practice. We'll create a batch file that can be easily modified to search for different file types or in different starting directories.

@echo off
set "target_dir=%~dp0"

:: If you want to specify a different directory, uncomment the line below
:: and replace 'C:\Path\To\Your\Folder' with the desired path.
:: set "target_dir=C:\Path\To\Your\Folder"

echo Listing all PNG images in "%target_dir%" and its subdirectories:
echo -------------------------------------------------------------------

for /r "%target_dir%" %%f in (*.png) do (
    echo "%%f"
)

echo -------------------------------------------------------------------
echo Search complete.
pause

Batch script to list all PNG files recursively.

How to Use the Script

Using the script is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Save the Code

Copy the batch script code into a plain text editor (like Notepad).

2. Save as a Batch File

Save the file with a .bat extension (e.g., list_pngs.bat). Make sure 'Save as type' is set to 'All Files' to prevent it from being saved as list_pngs.bat.txt.

3. Run the Script

Double-click the list_pngs.bat file. A command prompt window will open, displaying a list of all PNG files found. If you want to search a specific folder, edit the set "target_dir=..." line in the script before running it.

4. Review Results

The script will pause at the end, allowing you to review the output. Press any key to close the window.