Trying to search filenames with special characters in windows explorer (Windows 10)

Question

Through a very annoying person's mistake, thousands of my files have been copied, often multiple times. This has resulted in thousands of files named filename(2), filename(3), etc.

My bright idea was to do a search for (2) and delete all the results, but the search keeps showing up all files that have the number 2 in the filename, instead of including the brackets.

I've tried name:~=(2), "(2)" and even "(2)""(2)" after searching for solutions elsewhere. None of them worked. I want to exclude files that just have a 2 in the filename, I ONLY want the files that have the two inside the brackets.

Can anyone help, please?

Solution

I only want the files that have the two inside the brackets (2)

Use the following search expression:

name:~"*(2)*"

Notes:

• ~ is the literal string indicator and what follows has to match the entire file name

• Depending on your needs filename: may be better than name:

Before:

After:

---

Further Reading

• Advanced Query Syntax
• Using Advanced Query Syntax Programmatically

Comments

[Vomit IT - Chunky Mess Style]

So are you looking for a Windows Explorer solution only or would a script solution be sufficient as well?

[DavidPostill]

Why use a complicated PowerShell script when you can do it easily using the Explorer Search functionality?

[LotPings]

@DavidPostill because of additional functionality? It does ashure to only delete binary equal files.

[DavidPostill]

OK. But that's not what the question asked for :)

[Sia]

I'm afraid I don't know how to use script at all, and David's solution worked for me. But thank you for the help!

[DavidPostill]

@Sia Do you need more help? If this answered your question, please don't forget to accept the answer.

[Sia]

No, thank you, that fixed it! This is just my first time using this site and I didn't know about accepting the answer. Ticked!